The other day I found myself in a girls Secondary School RE class. They were having a brief Q&A with the teacher and several of the girls asked if God was a She. There are references in the bible where God is referred to as a She they were told. The main answer as I observed it, was how society back in those days (and in previous generations to ours) was a Patriarchal Society. Several of the girls acknowledged this. But now society has changed it’s more acceptable to view God as a She. So if this view were to change back where does this leave Truth? It’s a commentary on how the Truth of anything is viewed. In fact there is to be no such thing as Truth at all and this view is accepted without criticism in the classroom. The argument would be – as I have heard previously – that it’s a concept above this particular year group (Year 7 or 8 I think it was) but we’ll discuss it at GCSE or A-Level. By then the idea that there is no such thing as Truth is so deeply ingrained that it would need a monumental shift in thinking. This does of course happen, but I would suggest rarely is it so.
The idea that Truth does exist in my opinion is fairly simple and straightforward to grasp. Unpacking it may be a little more complex but the idea of Truth existing is quite easy. There is such a thing as Truth – there I’ve said it. The sad fact is it is unlikely to be taught in schools because in the main teachers do not think it exists – except the illogical truth that truth does not exist. But it’s a good example of the law of non-contradiction being violated on a daily basis. But for many it’s a ‘truth’ that’s just too convenient – or a version of what’s true for me must be true.
This idea permeates everything, ideas of morality, of religion, of art, of music and especially of ultimate authority. These depend on Truth. It comes as no surprise then that the history of sinful humanity could perhaps be described as mankind’s struggle to escape the uncomfortable thought that Truth exists. But of course it does.
As Jesus said in His high priestly prayer “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17 KJV). And as Jesus said of Himself in John 14:6 “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. Truth in the end is found in a person – His name is Jesus.
‘JESUS, Jesus, all-sufficient,
Beyond telling is Thy worth’
William Williams, 1717-91;
I agree that discussing ‘Truth’ is not above kids in years 7 & 8. Indeed back when I was a year 7 many moons ago I had a very long and fruitful discussion about ‘Truth’ with my RE teacher, who I may add, proved one thing that I now hold to be ‘true’: Bad teachers read from a text book.
However when it comes to learning the ‘Truth’ at school the RE classroom is not really the place to do it. For a start you are taught many different and contrasting ‘truths’ to be learned, from the Koran to the Torah, the Vedas to the Bible. Can ‘Truth’ really be found by comparing text that’s been rewritten so many times and in so many versions?
Surely the closest thing we can possibly come to exploring the ‘truth’ is in the science class? The scientific method by its very definition means that the subject is constantly tested to prove results that are either true or false. The beauty of this is that our knowledge is constantly evolving rather than being stuck with what a small group of ‘educated’ people decided was ‘true’ centuries or even millennia ago.
Science is a subject that could really do with greater emphasis in the curriculum. I respect that learning about other people’s beliefs is important in order to become a more rounded individual and wish that more schools took the subject of religious education more seriously. Respect for other people’s beliefs is one very good thing but respect for science is something I have in my experience found very lacking in RE teachers.
If ‘truth’ is to be discussed then a much broader perspective is required and so I fear this is far beyond many an RE teachers abilities.
Hi Dazzle, thanks for visiting. How on earth did you find this post? Anyway, glad to have you drop by.
Science has a massive emphasis in schools and probably receives more funding than any other subject – as I observe it anyway.
I suppose if this physical world is all there is then science is all we have. But it isn’t. It’s the God question really. Has He revealed Himself to us? If He has, how? I believe God has revealed Himself supremely in The Lord Jesus Christ and through the Bible. Is it true? Well if you really are a seeker after Truth then you will need to check it out. If your RE teacher was anything like mine he probably put you off religion for ever. I’m thankful that God does step in and reveal Himself. Take another look at the Bible, try to approach it honestly and openly. You may be surprised.
Stated in a clear and coordial manner!
Truth is of monumental importance. I absolutely agree with you that Truth is something we should be paying more attention to. While our society stands screaming “there is no such thing as universal truth”, they contradict themselves in making the statement. Isn’t their statement universally true?
Truth exists, and his name is Jesus Christ. Thanks for standing for Truth, I strive to do the same on my blog as well.
Hi Jay, thanks for the encouragement. Thanks for your blog – looks good!
I’ve removed a comment from Anonymous because it was
a) Anonymous (see house rules) and
b) complete tripe.
It is an observation that has continued to baffle me, how the trend of society typically holds to the non-existence of truth. That general outlook is as you pointed out affecting our culture’s approach towards everything from “religion” to morality.