Are all religions being honest when they say their belief is the truth?
2006-07-28 03:13:56 · 21 answers · asked by lifelover 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
that assumes that truth is driven by rational proof and cannot be accessed through belief. My belief is a way for me to connect to the divine truth.
2006-07-28 03:15:24 · answer #1 · answered by rosends 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Truth is a tricky word, with more than one meaning. To be intellectually honest in this question, since it is a pretty deep one, you should be honest in which definition you are using:
1. Conformity to fact or actuality.
2. A statement proven to be or accepted as true.
3. Sincerity; integrity.
4. Fidelity to an original or standard.
5.
a. Reality; actuality.
b. often Truth That which is considered to be the supreme reality and to have the ultimate meaning and value of existence.
Truth can be a term from the formal language of logic. It can also be a subjective term meaning what a person believes.
So yes, a person can be honest when they say what they believe is true, because that is a valid definition of truth.
2006-07-28 10:20:52 · answer #2 · answered by Rjmail 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your question really doesn't make any sense, because 'belief' MEANS "a certainty of knowing the 'truth'" about something. So, what you are really asking is "Would you call something 'truth' if there was only a certainty that it was true?" As you can see, that is kind of wacky.
For future reference, 'intellectual honesty' is a willingness to question or doubt the veracity of your own assumptions. 'Open-mindedness' is a willingness to consider alternative possibilities... with 'intellectual honesty.'
The most important 'teaching' that comes from contemplating these kinds of ideas is that 'belief', in and of itself, is bad. (Think of Mr. Mackey, on South Park: "Bleeef is baaad? Okaaaayyyy?")
Belief is an insidious mind-killer... it creates the illusion (delusion?) that one knows the 'truth' about something, and thus cuts off the mind from the intellectually honest consideration of alternative possibilities.
Beliefs (in one's own mind) should be avoided at all costs... and when encountered, stamped out like a cockroach.
2006-07-28 10:17:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, you can question anything and everything, even the reality of the physical world. It's called solipsism.
Ultimately all you can know is you think therefore you have thought. What those actually experience are are up to interpretation.
I believe there are certain reasonable assumptions one can make. The limits of the physical world is a good place to start.
I also believe there are certain metaphysical ideas, sometimes seemly opposing, that are true if viewed from a certain vantage point.
Finally there are subjective truths that can in an existential manner manifest themselves into reality.
With all this said my conclusion is yes, you can call anything truth and it is simultaneously a belief. Do I believe in questions ourselves? You bet your bippy I do.
2006-07-28 10:29:54 · answer #4 · answered by Love of Truth 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I believe it, I believe it is the truth. When a perspective comes along that is more compelling than my own, I will modify my views and believe that is the truth. When confronted by something contrary to what I believe is the truth, that can be proved empirically, I will have to abandon my truth because it obviously cannot withstand scrutiny. I feel that is a good way to go through life, free to question, free to think and, above all, free to change (dare I say evolve in the religion section of yahoo answers).
2006-07-28 10:20:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be personal truth. My beliefs come from my personal experiences and that includes finding things that ring true to me and taking them on as my personal truths. Whether or not you find me intellectually honest is not going to effect my sleep at night but if I find myself honest will. Allow others to believe and live as they choose just as you would like that same respect.
2006-07-28 10:19:36 · answer #6 · answered by skippingsunday 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe what I believe IS the truth, so I'm not being dishonest by calling it the truth. What makes it the truth is not my belief in it, but the fact that it actually is truthful.
2006-07-28 10:15:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The common-man's definition of faith is believing in that which you cannot see or have no concrete proof of. Part of having faith is having the stead-fast belief that that what you have faith in is right. To be intellectualy honest, there are a large amount of possiblities: All are right, none are right, one is right, two are right, three are right ect ect ect. Beacuse we honestly have no capability to cross planes of being right now, the only way to find out what is true is to die. Then we don't have a way to relay the truth once we get there.
2006-07-28 10:18:26 · answer #8 · answered by James_Stormwind 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Belief and faith are very personal; most people who have a firm belief system HAVE to believe that theirs is the only truth...otherwise, it wouldn't be a belief system...! Are they 'intellectually honest'...I'm sure they would say YES...
2006-07-28 10:17:01 · answer #9 · answered by Rev Debi Brady 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no i just think that some people have very high beliefs of their religions so they call it the truth.
2006-07-28 10:17:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋