For instance, if a Christian feels very very strongly that the Bible is the inerrant word of Yahweh and that Jesus is their savior, should I assume that their feelings denote truth or that their feelings are subjective personal conviction?
Should I regard their chosen method of "ascertaining truth", i.e. finding what feels true and then declaring it to be reality, as particularly reliable?
If yes, is the same applicable to others who use the same method but arrive at different conclusions?
2007-08-23 10:15:33 · 34 answers · asked by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No as emotions have nothing to do with fact at all. Emotions come from gut instinct about how we interpret and feel what we perceive around us regardless of the facts. Facts are proved and no amount of emotions will change what they are.
2007-08-23 10:20:49 · answer #1 · answered by genaddt 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Ahhhhh, good question.
"What is truth? Is truth unchanging law? We all have truths - are mine the same as yours?"
I have asked a similar thing in a reply to a question here.
Our perceptions are colored by a lot of things - and if a dozen people all had a similar emotional experience of sensing a benign female Presence, some might "see" the Virgin Mary, others a Saint, others a Goddess, others something else entirely - maybe their Grandmother or other kindly female that has died..
Emotional experiences cannot be a "truth" for anyone but the person who experienced it. Certainly they cannot be seen as a universal "truth" that everyone has to honor or accept.
Not mine. Not anyone's.
2007-08-23 11:30:45 · answer #2 · answered by Raven's Voice 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm. *Truth* is not always the same thing as fact. Facts can be proven, but not all that is true can be proven.
Some things that "feel true" turn out not to be, as when one is taken in by a skilled liar, yet we also have to use *something* to help us sort through the unprovable, so for the person who is certain that the Bible is literal truth, it is true *for them*. That doesn't mean that it is truth for me, and usually I am kind enough not to stand around and argue about the contraditions that riddle the Bible or the mis-translations that have caused carnage in the unchangable past.
I do trust my feelings about what is true, because they are based on things I've learned and am remembering sub-consciously. I consider my own experience a more reliable guide *for myself* than what others say. Naturally, I listen to others and may be persuaded by their words to reconsider my views, but even then I am assessing their credibility through my own filters.
I worry less about whether a thing is provably true or not, than what potential harm can come out of it, and how that harm can be prevented or at least reduced, which reveals to you that my personal "truth" is the Wiccan Rede, "An ye harm none, do as ye will".
2007-08-23 10:35:54 · answer #3 · answered by cerridwenamcoedwig 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Although most Christians I know go with an 'internal knowing' if you will, some Christians (like myself) had actually let feelings of 'there could not be a God who would let evil exist' interfere with an open mind to observation and inquiry into finding answers.
It's difficult to keep emotions out of investigative analysis - watch Nancy Grace, or any high profile criminal case.
I say don't listen to anyones reasons for deciding anything that has serious consequences for you or your loved ones.
When I was on jury duty I wished I had more convincing evidence one way or another, but there are some things in life that you just have decide based on the preponderance of evidence and hopefully make the right choice.
All that said, most times my wife has a gut feeling about something she turns out to be right - go figure.
2007-08-23 10:52:28 · answer #4 · answered by D2T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Feelings are not indicative of truth. Religion is such a subjective thing. I do believe; however, I don't expect anyone else to just because I do. There have been times I've felt God has intervened in my life. Yet, an atheist would probably attribute it to luck or something else. So I never argue that what I believe is true. It is true to me, but since there isn't any tangible proof of God, I can't use my feelings to prove anything.
2007-08-23 13:08:06 · answer #5 · answered by Purdey EP 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the short answer to your question is No.....feelings are not necessarily indicative of truth. How can they be when 2 people can "feel" very strongly about something and as you said arrive at different conclusions. Two contradictory "facts" cannot both be true.
2007-08-23 10:28:11 · answer #6 · answered by tecvba 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No feelings are not indicative of truth.
Unconditional love without judgment goes past feeling.
Under such motivation one gives the benefit of the doubt and listens intently to arrive at a logical knowledge based rational view of things.
Truth is truth regardless of your feelings but not regardless of my feelings is a double standard and very hypocritical.
There is a "Truth" that is based on feeling, but this is internal and shouldn't manifest itself in the world. It provides neither science, nor reason, nor history, it is the kind of feeling one has when they think their long dead childhood pet loved them. There's no proof, it's your internal validation and it does nothing in the world.
Agape
♥Blessed Be♥
♥=∞
2007-08-23 10:27:59 · answer #7 · answered by gnosticv 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
needless to say there are problems with value in any faith, or they does not have lasted as long as they have. The question isn't any be counted in case you're able to desire to settle for the claptrap and dogma alongside with the sturdy. working example, some 0.33 of the ten Commandments are a great thought. in many situations not practiced, or rationalized away (ie thou shall not kill does not observe to "acceptable" civilian casualties in a conflict), yet there are extremely some sturdy recommendations. I do exactly not think of the mythology is mandatory to take some useful social policies from them. Agnostic right here.
2016-10-03 03:36:59 · answer #8 · answered by mangini 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People used to feel very strongly that the earth ended over the horizon and you would fall off, that the earth was flat, that the sun orbited the earth. Even now, some people feel very strongly that those of African ancestry are less intelligent that whities. Obviously, all these people were wrong, despite their VERY strong feelings.
2007-08-23 10:21:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
What is true for one is not necessarily true for all. And one persons truth, does not define everyone elses reality.
Our feelings come in concerning the truth when we are seeking our own personal truths, and what is right for us.Kinda like stealing a piece of bubble gum and getting that "twang" in your stomach because you know it is wrong...
The truth is, nobodys perception is actually the same, even in organized religion....they may claim the same beliefs, but their personal understanding is quite another story...
Just a thought....
Blessings To All
)o(
Trinity
2007-08-23 13:27:52 · answer #10 · answered by trinity 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Feelings are feelings and not truths.
Truths require observation and mental thought.
Which is why as a Muslim am VERY careful not to use a 'my feelings tell me this is true' kind of sentence.
I usually say more intelligent things but I dont expect people to understand them either. Theyre not me, and they certainly dont have the same amount of awareness as I do.
If they do have the same amount of awareness: then they dont need me to explain
If they dont: theyre not gonna get anywhere by me explaining either
2007-08-23 13:17:37 · answer #11 · answered by Antares 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋