Truth?
Webster's dictionary describes truth as the state of being the case; the body of real things, events, facts. With so much of our society's attention focused on being right, finding the best way, being "in the know," is it possible to actually discover "the truth" or are we all doomed to live our own realities without ever being truly satisfied?
Don't get me wrong, I'm no Christian. I don't even really believe in God; religion has always seemed to me to be the way of the weak. Strong people don't need some arbitrary imaginary friend to help them out of tough situations. They rely on themselves and pull through with brains, strength and the knowledge that they are the only one they need. I'm not speaking of the truth in a religious context, though that is what spawned this entry.
I was waiting in the drive-through lane for coffee behind a white car that was taking far too long to gather their things and drive away. I noticed that said offender had one of those metal "bumper stickers" with a fish that was labeled "truth" eating the Darwinian legged fish. It initially annoyed me, then infuriated me, then left me shaking my head with frustration. Why do those people always have to shove their religion in your face? What does that prove or solve? I'm not going to convert because of a bumper sticker, and I'm certainly not going to convert because you're telling me that it's the only true way. I'd rather go to hell, to be blunt.
After the rage faded, it occurred to me that maybe we all have our own truths. Like Christians, the curse of humanity is believing that we're right all the time. Our lifestyles, our food choices, our exercise routines - I'm certain that everyone has had at least one moment where they look at someone else and think "Wow, what an idiot. If he/she only did it like I do, they'd be in much better shape."
But is there a truth? Is there a right way of doing something or a right way to live? Are we all going to be standing before the face of a greater power after our life is through, forced to explain our indiscretions? Or will people realize that there is nothing after life, no better place or heavenly gates?
I wish I could answer that, but it's not my intention. I don't know the answer, I don't claim to know any right way of acting or living. I know that I'm constantly driven to find it, although I'm also just as driven to prove that it doesn't exist. If anyone has a better explanation, please let me know. For now, I'm willing to let life bring me my personal version of the truth.
Don't get me wrong, I'm no Christian. I don't even really believe in God; religion has always seemed to me to be the way of the weak. Strong people don't need some arbitrary imaginary friend to help them out of tough situations. They rely on themselves and pull through with brains, strength and the knowledge that they are the only one they need. I'm not speaking of the truth in a religious context, though that is what spawned this entry.
I was waiting in the drive-through lane for coffee behind a white car that was taking far too long to gather their things and drive away. I noticed that said offender had one of those metal "bumper stickers" with a fish that was labeled "truth" eating the Darwinian legged fish. It initially annoyed me, then infuriated me, then left me shaking my head with frustration. Why do those people always have to shove their religion in your face? What does that prove or solve? I'm not going to convert because of a bumper sticker, and I'm certainly not going to convert because you're telling me that it's the only true way. I'd rather go to hell, to be blunt.
After the rage faded, it occurred to me that maybe we all have our own truths. Like Christians, the curse of humanity is believing that we're right all the time. Our lifestyles, our food choices, our exercise routines - I'm certain that everyone has had at least one moment where they look at someone else and think "Wow, what an idiot. If he/she only did it like I do, they'd be in much better shape."
But is there a truth? Is there a right way of doing something or a right way to live? Are we all going to be standing before the face of a greater power after our life is through, forced to explain our indiscretions? Or will people realize that there is nothing after life, no better place or heavenly gates?
I wish I could answer that, but it's not my intention. I don't know the answer, I don't claim to know any right way of acting or living. I know that I'm constantly driven to find it, although I'm also just as driven to prove that it doesn't exist. If anyone has a better explanation, please let me know. For now, I'm willing to let life bring me my personal version of the truth.
This entry was posted by Mellie, on
Thursday, February 16, 2006.
