Exclusivity of Truth
Over many centuries scholars have argued on matters of truth. For some, there is a certain body of knowledge that is absolutely true and not subject to interpretation or consideration of context. For others, all truth is relative and subject to change. There are many philosophical theories and definitions of truth. Each of them gives rise to specific issues and, more often, new theories.
As for religious truths, they are considered infallible and eternal. Many different religions claim to hold the absolute truth, to be the only right religion. A religion that sees itself as absolute takes other religions to be false.
Religious exclusivists believe that only one religion or belief system is true and that one true religion is their own. In more extreme form, they believe that only members of their religion will reach heaven, while others will be doomed to eternal damnation. Exclusivism is expressed in the Roman Catholic dogma extra ecclesiam nulla salus (“outside the church no salvation”). Exclusivism is found in all religions and belief groups.
Since we live in a world of thousands of religions, such exclusionist rhetoric is not rational. And yet, a survey conducted in the US in 2016 found that 84% of those who hold evangelicals beliefs say „a hell is a place of eternal judgment, where God sends all people who do not personally trust in Jesus Christ.“
If the followers of each religion hold that their religion is the true one, then how many true religions are there? Accordingly, how many truths are there? Can we say that truth, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder?
Today, due to dogmatic abuses of the term, truth has become a questionable term. The essence of organized and institutionalized religion lies in the unquestionable acceptance of a priori truths inherent in religious beliefs that are typically shaped by dogmas imposed by the authority. Dogmas are not limited to religion alone. The basic premise of any dogmatism is; who isn't with us is against us! For if there is only one Truth, then there can be no other and different truth. Dogmatism is, therefore, in its essence exclusive and totalitarian, both in spiritual and political realms.
In ancient Greek, the meaning of dogma was "something that seems true" or “that which one thinks is true.” Etymologically speaking, a word that once meant a thought or opinion became later a term for infallible truth.
All genuine Christian dogma can lay no claim to infallibility because it is not the absolute, unadulterated truth of God; rather is it the truth refracted and coloured by the human media of reflection, reason, elaboration, through which it passes. (Samuel MacComb)
I would also add that people who wrote them used the knowledge, beliefs, and philosophies of their time.
Religions have continually evolved throughout history. Religions are born, grow and die. Some beliefs which were once held to be true are now considered false, and some for which truth is now claimed may be considered false in the future. Dogmas also have been influenced by history and the ongoing development of science.
If I ask some of my beBee friends which religion is the true one (for them), this could be their answers:
@Mohammed Abdul Jawad will say, Islam.
@Fay Vietmeier and @Greg Rolfe will say, Christianity.
Sara Jacobovici (who is no longer on beBee) will say, Judaism.
@Ian Weinberg would most likely say, philosophy and practice of Buddhism.
@Pascal Derrien will say, none of them.
@Ken Boddie would possibly say that the existence of an all-encompassing hierarchal entity is not known with certainty and with the current level of human knowledge.
I don't know of any beBee friend who is an omnist (one that believes in all religions). :)
Can my friends all be right? If every religion is true, then no one is false. And if no one is false, then it would also be true to say all are false.
These are only my musings and perhaps biased. I'm comfortable saying:
I don't know the answer to something that lies beyond the limits of human experience or understanding.
The existence and nature of the supreme reality are unknowable. How then can humanly formulated truths/claims be applied to this reality as infallible? There is no way to know if they are true or completely mistaken. If you believe in rigid truth claims that it is known what cannot be known, remember that you might be wrong.
Keep your mind open to reevaluating your ideas about everything. We all have to become aware of the possibility that what we truly believe in may be wrong. It opens doors to new perceptions.
We'll never have empirical knowledge of religious truths because they promise something that can be fulfilled only in the supernatural life to come. We should challenge our beliefs and have the desire for more knowledge to understand the things around us. It is the eternal path.
Title image source: https://luvnotestodaughters.wordpress.com/
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Komentari
Debasish Majumder
prije 2 godine #34
always fascinating to read your fascinating buzz @Lada 🏡 Prkic ! enjoyed read and shared. thank you for the buzz
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 2 godine #33
It would be wonderful if the world worked that way, Javier.
Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸
prije 2 godine #32
Whatever one's faith or belief, let him respect that of others, whether he believes in something or not !
Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸
prije 2 godine #31
The Oxford dictionaries defines an omnist as "a person who believes in all faiths or creeds; a person who believes in a single transcendent purpose or cause uniting all things or people, or the members of a particular group of people".
Omnism is the recognition and respect of all religions or lack thereof; those who hold this belief are called omnists, sometimes written as omniest. In recent years, the term has been resurfacing due to the interest of modern-day self-described omnists who have rediscovered and begun to redefine the term. Omnism is similar to syncretism. However, it can also be seen as a way to accept the existence of various religions without believing in all that they profess to teach. Many omnists say that all religions contain truths, but that no one religion offers all that is truth.
🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 2 godine #30
There's always something new to learn, Pascal. :)
Pascal Derrien
prije 2 godine #29
I never heard of omnist before Lara now I have :) , I have not heard from Sara J for a few years I have sent personal messages and mails to no avail I hope she is safe and sound
Fay Vietmeier
prije 2 godine #28
@John Rylance
I happened upon a quote by you that fits here - I shared it on LI
What is truth? What is right?
The Source of both is found in Light
“I am the Light of men” – Jesus Christ
“This is the verdict:
Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." - John 3
"The truth only angers .. hurts .. when it challenges a lie you are living." – John Rylance
Fay Vietmeier
prije 2 godine #27
@Lada 🏡 Prkic
I did just share on LI -
The "exclusivity of Truth" is one of .. if not THE most vital question
to seek to answer on our earthly journey.
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 2 godine #26
Fay, one of the reasons I publish on Bizcatalyst is because it's the platform where diverse perspectives and opinions are welcomed. I don't expect you to share my post on LinkedIn. It is enough for me that you have read it. :) Thank you.
Fay Vietmeier
prije 2 godine #25
#25 @Lada 🏡 Prkic
Thank you Lada .. for letting me know .. I plan on sharing your fine post.
You know of my faith .. and how I will respond to your excellent post.
I appreciate very much your deep thinking .. and high attention to detail.💛💛
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 2 godine #24
Hi Fay, here is the link to this post published on Bizcatalyst and shared by Dennis on LinkedIn.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6849269207306174464/
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 2 godine #23
Sorry, John (dramatic pause) John Rylance. 😄 Mea culpa.
John Rylance
prije 2 godine #22
The name's John (dramatic pause) John Rylance
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 2 godine #21
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts regarding truths, Neil. I learned one more (humorous) idiom, economical with the truth. :)
John Rylance
prije 2 godine #20
This statement made by Obi-Wan Kenobi in a Star Wars Movie sums up my feelings about truth.
Luke you are going to find the many truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view. The truth is often what we make of it. You heard what you wanted to hear, and believed what you wanted to belief.
Another thought regarding truth is deciding whether however convincing someone is they are being economical with the truth (a euphemism often used when they are thought to be lying.
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 2 godine #19
Thank you, Franci! Well said. Having faith doesn't mean you should be a follower of any organized religion and its dogmas. I like the phrase: Your mind is your religion. :)
Fay Vietmeier
prije 2 godine #18
@John Rylance
Thanks for sharing this thought
A frequently quoted Universal truth is that each day the sun always rises in the east and always sets in the west, yet areas of earth dependent on the time of the year either see or don't see the sun all day.
it reminds me that ..
The sun comes up every day .. but how many people see the Light?
Fay Vietmeier
prije 2 godine #17
@Greg Rolfe .. warmest welcome .. my brother “in Christ”
Fay Vietmeier
prije 2 godine #16
@Lada 🏡 Prkic
"A tree worn by the wind, rough and scarred one day told me:
"I don't have the truth, but I can tell you that in this world, where everyone strives to be beautiful and original,
few really have the courage to be authentic." - Fabrizio Caramagna
My prayer is that God .. Who is Love .. will draw the “authentic” into Truth
(quote shared with me elsewhere by Roberto De La Cruz )
If you would .. kindly tag me when this is posted by BizCat
Greg Rolfe
prije 2 godine #15
Hi Fay, I was glad to see your comment!
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 2 godine #14
Thank you, Fay. Much appreciated! I submitted the article to BIZCATALYST 360 and hope Dennis will publish it in a day or two.
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 2 godine #13
Thank you, Greg, for always being kind and thoughtful no matter the topic. I enjoy reading your comments and exchanging opinions with you.
We are all spiritual beings to a greater or lesser extent, no matter being or not religious. Spirituality exists outside the context of institutional religions and also outside religious faith. When people accept religious texts as infallible and reject anything that contradicts their belief or dogma, it can be destructive if used for demonizing others.
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 2 godine #12
John, thank you for adding some more thoughts on matters of truth. You said one of the universal truths is that people want to know why. Many times, in search of reasons, people only seek to confirm their existing beliefs.
Fay Vietmeier
prije 2 godine #11
@Lada 🏡 Prkic
First Lada .. how very well you present this great matter “Exclusivity of Truth”
Worthy of an equally thoughtful response.
I will share that @Jim Murray recently wrote a thought – provoking post “The Trouble with God”
.. I have been in prayerful thought to respond.
Being recently invited to BizCat - will share both here & there “The Trouble with Man”
.. I mention this because some of your thoughts here echo there ..
This is my (for now) “musing” .. I am biased .. I, too, am comfortable saying:
In my life journey I have found this Truth:
“It is in Christ that we find out who we are & what we are living for.
Long before we heard of Him .. he had his eye on us .. designs on us for glorious living.
It is part of the overall purpose that He is working out in everything & everyone.” Ephesians 1
My spiritual-journey .. nor spiritual-journey have been a straight path.
But looking back I can say with absolute clarity that spiritual rebirth is a supernatural CATALYST in the life journey.
“In His Light .. we have light”
Without that Light .. there is darkness
But darkness always .. resists the Light
His Light illuminates understanding .. provides Wisdom that leads to knowledge.
The worlds concept of “knowledge” .. is much confused by information. Increasingly MIS-information.
I say with frequency:
I do not have the answers to many questions .. but I know the ONE who does.
There ARE many things that “lies beyond the limits of human experience & understanding.”
That is both honest & true.
I have expressed before
.. there are many truths
.. there is only One Truth
That One Truth is exclusive.
That One Truth becomes self-evident
.. if only when we have taken our last earthly breath ..
God is Truth
I guess the greater question is about God.
Who is God?
How can the finite .. understand the Infinite?
Does the clay .. instruct the Potter?
(when I share this excellent post on LI - I'll let you know)
Greg Rolfe
prije 2 godine #10
Lada, this is a very well presented post. While the Pope declared that all roads lead to heaven, I must agree with the statement made here, “if all religions are true then none are true.” The unfortunate truth is that all religions are wrong. The greatest threat to Christians was the moment Christianity became a religion. I actually have a couple of sermons on the subject. You and a couple of the great comments made here touch on the very issue that is created by religion. Exclusivity. Yes, each belief system has its own set of foundational beliefs. And again yes, each has an exclusive “dogma”. But it is a religion that is the excuse we use to belittle another. This is of course my personal opinion, but I believe it is upheld by many years of observation. Keep up the great work!!!!!
John Rylance
prije 2 godine #9
As well as exclusive truths there are sets of Universal Truths.
You name it the Internet will bring up a list of Universal Truths about it.
Here's an example about people.
People want to be respected
People like to be asked not told
People want to know why?
People want options not threats
People want a second chance
My opinion is truth can neither be exclusive or Universal.
A frequently quoted Universal truth is that each day the sun always rises in the east and always sets in the west, yet areas of earth dependant on the time of the year either see or don't see the sun all day.
Let's not forget the truth/belief in Victorian Times that the sun never set on the British Empire.
Any truth is always there to be challenged.
Neil Smith
prije 2 godine #8
Exactly. 👌
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 2 godine #7
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Javier. It would be great if we live in a world where people respect each other beliefs without dehumanizing those who differ. Sadly, we don't.
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 2 godine #6
Thanks for reading and commenting, Neil. My intention wasn't in any way to write against any religion. But I see that religious fundamentalism is growing in many parts of the world, including my country. It is associated with exclusivist perspectives. I wanted to say that exclusivist religious rhetoric is wrong. It can also lead people to violent extremism.
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 2 godine #5
Ken, religion and politics are two topics I stopped commenting on social media a long time ago. I even stopped reading authors who write mostly on these topics in a way as if they hold a monopoly on the truth. After I listened to a lecture about religious exclusivism by a professor from my university, I started scribbling some thoughts that grew into a post. :) As I said, these are only my musings and perhaps biased.
As for catching up with old mates, I recently learned one more English idiom, funny as hell. :)
Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸
prije 2 godine #4
I come from a traditional Spanish family of the Catholic Church, and in Spain baptisms, communions, weddings and funerals are still generally celebrated following the Catholic rite. I am not practicing, I am agnostic, I am very scientific, I am not driven by faith but by the realities that are scientifically probable. But I see religious customs in Spain more as something cultural, as I say baptisms, communions and weddings are celebrated as a family event in which the family gets together and enjoys that day and little else.
Of course, it goes without saying that I respect any belief, as long as it respects my own. When there are people who do not respect yours, their belief becomes not respectable.
Neil Smith
prije 2 godine #3
This is a difficult subject for some people to talk about because the nature of most belief systems is to actively discourage, sometimes terminally, any questioning of the dominant belief.
We seem to live in ia time of increasing fear and autocracy in thought and deed. I suspect it will be a long time before public dissent about Islam will be tolerated in Kabul, for example.
As Portuguese and Spanish historians would tell us though, we have been here before. When the tribunal of the Holy office of the inquisition had unrestricted powers, they used them to stifle dissent and close down any conversation about the church and Spanish Crown that might have even seemed slightly negative.
I also am an atheist and completely agree that if all faiths are true then none are.
Ken Boddie
prije 2 godine #2
I gave up arguing about religion many tears ago, Lada. If I were to believe those who follow any of the routine ‘follow my leader‘ dogmas or ‘truths’, then I’m doomed to rot in hell. Well at least I won’t be cold and I’ll be too busy catching up with all my old mates to be lonely or bored.
Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸
prije 2 godine #1
@Sara Jacobovici