Tales of the Talking Tiger

In this conversation we were discussing truth as it relates to god. Here, relative truth rears its illogical head all too often. For example, you might believe there are many gods, and I believe there is one god. Relative truth allows us to both be correct. Logic shows that one of us is wrong – either there are many gods, or there is only one god, but both ‘truths’ cannot co-exist.

This line of thinking wasn’t well received, so I tried to explain the concept in other terms. I used the example that the car in the carpark next to us has four wheels – this is an absolute truth. Even this concept was argued on the basis that there is no way that we can actually know how many wheels the car has, or even if there really is a car at all.

This might sound like a ludicrous argument, however my conversation partner was arguing these points seriously and I can now understand in some part where they were coming from.

It is much easier to believe that there is no absolute truth, than to believe that there is both absolute and relative truth. To accept that there is absolute truth is to challenge my thinking and put the responsibility on me to investigate and discover what is true, and what is false. It means that I realise that I am not the determiner of truth but instead need to ask questions, for example, on what basis can I determine what is true and what is false?

This is a much more difficult approach, but ultimately more satisfying. After all, surely everyone wants to know what is true and what is false, especially if that has consequences for life now, and into the future.

For example, one person believes that after death is nothing – it’s like turning off a switch. Another person (e.g. me) believes that after death is judgement – God will bring us to account for the life we have lived, and the way we have responded to him.

Both scenarios can’t be true. The true reality should greatly influence the way we live our life right now. If after death there is nothing, then we will live for the moment – why wouldn’t we, there is no reason not to. Yet if we can expect judgement then we should endeavour to ensure we are in right relationship with God.

Let’s talk. Let’s engage. Let’s not agree to disagree but instead strive to discover what is true and shape our lives accordingly.