Truth
What is Truth?
If you want to know how complicated the answer is to this question, read or take a glance at this article about Truth in Wikipedia:
Common dictionary definitions of truth mention some form of accord with fact or reality. There is no single definition of truth about which the majority of scholars agree, and numerous theories of truth continue to be widely debated. There are many differing claims on such questions as what constitutes truth, how to define and identify truth, what roles do revealed and acquired knowledge play, and whether truth is subjective, relative, objective, or absolute. This article introduces the various perspectives and claims throughout history.
I think it's simpler than this. I believe there are some truths that are relative, and some that are absolute. A relative truth would be "The Iraq War was the right thing to do." This truth is relative because it is true or not depending on how you look at things. You might be right, or I might be right on this issue.
An absolute truth, though, would be "Saddam Hussein was evil." There is nothing relative about this truth. This truth is true regardless how many Sunnis believe Saddam was a hero. These Sunnis are wrong—absolutely, period.
The Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth
I have to admit that I have been somewhat naïve in writing this blog from the premise I've put forth.My premise has been to seek the truth, to tell the truth, and to promote the truth, regardless of how popular or unpopular that truth is; whether it helps a Democrat or a Republican; whether it flies in the face of conventional wisdom or not.
My naiveté has been in believing that telling the truth would make a difference.
This doesn't mean I am in despair. It does mean that I face the sober reality many have confronted in the past that telling the truth does not automatically invite popularity nor agreement. Ask Copernicus.
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The Truth, What is it Good For?
I don't mean to be overly dramatic, but the truth is dramatic. I also don't want to overemphasize my own importance. I am just a regular guy with an opinion. God is the ruler here, and He defines the rules. Life and God are bigger than all of us. Like everyone, I am blessed by God in some ways, and cursed in others. More important than anything I do or think is the actual truth. I am dedicated to it. Lives depend on it. The survival of our country and way of life depend on it.
The truth, what is it good for? Absolutely everything.
Rock
(*Wikipedia is always my source unless indicated.)
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Who Owns The Truth?
I'm not arrogant enough to believe that I possess The Truth on all issues. For example, my opinions on how we should conduct ourselves in Iraq are just my opinions. I admit I might be right, or you might be right. Especially in war, the unintended consequences can thwart all our plans at any time. I do feel pretty confident, though, about basic presumptions of war.
For example, about Iraq, I think you can boil all the positions down to two basic theories: that we withdraw and let the Iraqi's fight their own war; or that we stay and fight alongside the Iraqi's until they can fight for themselves. Nobody, I believe, is smart enough to tell definitively which approach is correct. Again, there are too many factors involved to be able to judge this for sure.
If we choose to stay and fight alongside the Iraqis, however, then I feel we can make a definitive judgment about a troop surge. If we're going to stay, the more troops we have the better, as long as we have a good plan about what to do with them. On this issue I feel I have captured The Truth.
I also feel I have captured The Truth about the demagoguery going on at this time. It appears obvious, from patterns of behavior past and present, that most Democrats are demagoging the war. Since to me demagoguery using a war to gain power is the most despicable evil, I have no respect for most Democratic leaders. Some Republicans are demagoging the war too. I have no love for them either.
Unreasonable Expectations
So, what am I trying to do, change human nature? Yes, I guess this is my fatal flaw.
What do politicians want? To get elected. What will they do to get elected? Anything, almost. They might not murder, but they certainly will demagogue. Can I blame them?
Then there are the voters. Why can demagogues pull the wool over their eyes so easily? Why can demagogues demonize George W. Bush, for example, and convince so many people to see him as evil? Why can they preach global warming so often that it becomes a religious tenet? Why can they discourage folks from appreciating the necessity of the Iraq War? How can they convince people that privatizing Social Security will rob them of their benefits? I could go on and on. The demagogues seem to be winning on a vast range of issues. They convince the voters that black is white, and vice versa.
Are the voters stupid? One might imagine so.
Truth versus Mendacity
I don't think it's useful to think this, though. I believe a better approach is to realize that we are in a constant battle of good versus evil; and truth versus mendacity. Copernicus was persecuted for believing that the earth revolves around the sun, but eventually the truth did get out. It got out because enough honest scientists eventually stated the truth repeatedly.
Some truth is readily apparent. Nazi Germany was evil, and this was obvious quickly. So, there was wide support for a war against them. Other truth takes years, or hundreds or even thousands of years, to become evident.
The Cassandra Complex
I often feel like Cassandra as I proclaim my truths.
This is exactly how I feel. I proclaim my prophecies, using some God-given ability; but, due to a God-given curse, I cannot convince most or even many in the world that these truths are true. It's maddening.
I am not alone, of course. Every proclaimer of truth faces the same reactions, whether it be Copernicus or Bill Kristol, my favorite neo-con. For some reason, God set it up that we must struggle to get the truth out. The truth will have many enemies. Many of my commenters, liberal and conservative, are battling to get the truth out, just like me. If they are sincerely proclaiming the truth, then they will one day face irrationality, greed, demagoguery, and even evil, which opposes that truth.
I wish them all well in their quest. I know how hard it is.