Does absolute truth actually exist or is it just a matter of opinion like a favourite flavour of icecream?
Does what I believe actually matter, or is it just “my truth”?
Are religious beliefs facts or preferences?
We live in an era that is dominated by a view called postmodernism. It’s a worldview that argues that absolute truth doesn’t exist and that truth is what I believe it to be. In this world, a truth statement might be: “Salted caramel is the best flavour of icecream”. Because I believe it, that makes it true. You might have a “different truth”. Perhaps you think that vanilla is the best flavour. Or bubble-gum.
This way of thinking has become very popular in our world because it seems nice. It means I never have to say that anyone else is wrong.
But is that how our world really works?
We need to tell the difference between objective and subjective.
Objective truth is something that is always true for all people, regardless of their opinions and preferences.
2 + 2 is always 4. If I claim that 2 + 2 = 73, I am wrong! I might be sincere in my view, but maths has fixed answers regardless of what I believe. My sincere belief does not change the facts.
If I walk into my bank and ask to withdraw $1 million, the teller will tell me that I don’t have that much money. If I protest that I truly believe I’m a millionaire, they’ll decline my withdrawal and probably ask me to leave!
There are lots of things that are objectively true:
- 100cm = 1m
- The moon orbits the earth
- 1 day is 24 hours
Subjective opinions are not true for all people at all times. Favourite colours or flavours, political preferences, likes and dislikes are all opinions.
So when it comes to religion, are we dealing with objective realities or subjective opinions?
There are lots of things about religion that are subjective opinions, that is, I may like or dislike certain things about a particular religion. However, most of the big questions rest on objective truths.
- Either there is a creator or there isn’t.
- Either we have a soul, or we don’t.
- Either there is a judgement for our lives or there isn’t.
- Absolute morals exist or they don’t.
- Either a particular holy book is divine revelation or it isn’t.
In each case, you probably have an opinion on those things, but your opinion doesn’t make these things more or less true. A soul doesn’t exist for me because I believe it, but not for you because you don’t. One of us must be wrong.
We all have reasons that we believe these things.
I might believe something because I trust the person that told me.
I might believe something because I have done research.
I might believe something because it feels right to me.
I might believe something because I want it to be true.
Our reasons for believing might vary, but ultimately, what matters is whether our beliefs line up with what is true.
Have you thought about these things? What informs your beliefs on these big religious questions? Are they objective truths or subjective opinions?