{"id":1158,"date":"2019-06-19T17:01:20","date_gmt":"2019-06-19T17:01:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/patrickcarpen.com\/general\/?page_id=1158"},"modified":"2019-06-19T17:03:28","modified_gmt":"2019-06-19T17:03:28","slug":"can-there-be-more-than-one-truth","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/patrickcarpen.com\/general\/religion\/can-there-be-more-than-one-truth\/","title":{"rendered":"Can There Be More than One Truth?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

During a recent trip to my home county of Berbice, Guyana, South America, I met up with a long time friend, and as usual, we entered into some very reflective discussions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As usual, the conversation veered itself around to the idea of religion. As you know, religion is one of the questions that has plagued mankind for centuries. We are born into a world with so many different “truths.” And each of these “truths” has millions of adherents or believers who swear by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is easy for a human to get confused and wonder what in the world is going on. “Well, there can only be one truth.” I commented. “Yes, my friend agreed.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But can there be more than one truth? In science, there can. Take for example, the idea that the sky is blue. Is it true that the sky is blue? It is, but it also isn’t. The sky is only blue for the majority of humans whose brains are interpreted to translate the signals reaching it as blue. But for color blind people, the sky certainly isn’t blue!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And who knows how the brain of certain animals are wired, if they do not see a different color! Yet, there may be humans who are wired to see an entirely different color when looking at the sky…who knows?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sky is blue is true. But at other times, it’s not true. So in science, there can be several truths. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But I strongly believe that in religion, there can only be “One Truth.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before I go, I’d like to leave you with this classic poem, entitled, “The Blind Men and the Element.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IT was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

II.<\/strong>\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The First<\/em> approached the Elephant,
\nAnd happening to fall
\nAgainst his broad and sturdy side,
\nAt once began to bawl:
\n“God bless me!\u2014but the Elephant
\nIs very like a wall!”
\n
\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

III.<\/strong>\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Second<\/em>, feeling of the tusk,
\nCried: “Ho!\u2014what have we here
\nSo very round and smooth and sharp?
\nTo me ‘t is mighty clear
\nThis wonder of an Elephant
\nIs very like a spear!”
\n
\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IV.<\/strong>\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Third<\/em> approached the animal,
\nAnd happening to take
\nThe squirming trunk within his hands,
\nThus boldly up and spake:\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant
\nIs very like a snake!”
\n
\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

V.<\/strong>\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Fourth<\/em> reached out his eager hand,
\nAnd felt about the knee.
\n“What most this wondrous beast is like
\nIs mighty plain,” quoth he;
\n“‘T is clear enough the Elephant
\nIs very like a tree!”
\n
\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VI.<\/strong>\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Fifth<\/em>, who chanced to touch the ear,
\nSaid: “E’en the blindest man
\nCan tell what this resembles most;
\nDeny the fact who can,
\nThis marvel of an Elephant
\nIs very like a fan!”
\n
\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VII.<\/strong>\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sixth<\/em> no sooner had begun
\nAbout the beast to grope,
\nThan, seizing on the swinging tail
\nThat fell within his scope,
\n“I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant
\nIs very like a rope!”
\n
\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VIII.<\/strong>\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so these men of Indostan
\nDisputed loud and long,
\nEach in his own opinion
\nExceeding stiff and strong,
\nThough each was partly in the right,
\nAnd all were in the wrong! \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MORAL.<\/strong>\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, oft in theologic wars
The disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance
Of what each other mean,
And prate about an Elephant<\/em>
Not one of them has seen!<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We must admit that we are very much like these blind men when it comes to God! We cannot see God. We can only feel Him!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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