tommymore

I take no sides. I do have sides, being a 3 dimensional being, but politically none are favored. In this day and age, I have immediately made enemies of the Left and the Right. Though I would not call myself an Independent, for both parties have come to call those so labeled as either cowards or opportunists.

Weighing both sides of a question is no longer wise. Studied compromise has become betrayal. Are you for us or against us, is the present bar, no matter if you have cured cancer or found a way to balance the budget. How cares? It is not about problem-solving or a working government: it is all about having the approved of label.

I have a question: is Truth Conservative or Liberal? It seems to me it is neither: truth is truth and has no sides to take. Compromise, as anathema as it now has become--a defeat to concede anything, but what moves any government--avoids truth. There is no real Truth in the Left or the Right. Truth is beyond such negotiated middle-ground or extremes of view. We all lose in this, when it happens (though rarely), cooperative mishmash by Congress to appear functional. Our Republic is utterly dependent on avoiding Truth for the well-managed appearance of progress or getting things done, leaving all of us in the Dark.

Super Dave Loc: Realville, USA

Some people manage to make enemies on the left and right without being independent thinking at all.

Not all, but many of these people do so by being a douche.

Cool Breeze

Very Insightful! As a matter of fact it is one of the most prophetic posts I've seen on OPP. Just what is truth? One thing it is not of this world. We all believe the Big Lie. It is in our nature until a power higher than ourselves reveal it. There is no middle ground or the union of diametrically opposed extremes. Choice is a illusion You don't have a choice although you are required to make one. Absolute Truth Is a death sentence and also a mystery. Choose this day whom you will serve. Some think you will serve God or Satan. WRONG! You are Going to serve the true God or suffer the consequences. ???

Cool Breeze

U should know! There is no dispute!

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

Americans have two documents that hold their truths in perpetuity, the Bible and the Constitution. There are a 1000 different interpretations of both. Jesus explained that the truth WILL be revealed, to those who approach the search with humility and a humble heart, i.e., "I do not know, but wish to find out". Those that decide beforehand what is the truth, will inevitably find that very thing in those divine writings - as that is how it is designed.

The Constitution is not a divine document, yet the same process is applied to it, as is often applied to the Bible - deciding based on our own "superior" knowledge what is the truth, THEN finding supporting evidence in that document - by twisting sentences, using portions of sentences or paragraphs, or deliberately misconstruing what is written.

The result is the same in both cases - severe error. It is easier to join a gang, than it is to stay true to one's beliefs and/or a genuine humble search for truth. Too many Americans are too lazy to do the hard work that is necessary to stay true.

Cool Breeze

There is one flaw in your thesis. You cannot come to Christ on your own. Do you know the doctrine of Total Depravity?

Super Dave Loc: Realville, USA

Sounds like a DNC talking point to increase welfare spending.

tommymore

Interesting, thank you.

tommymore

The true God? I firmly believe if all members of any religion were thoroughly vetted on what they believed about God and the various doctrines of their faith, no one would be in complete agreement. Six billion religious people and no total agreement by any of its members. So where is truth?

The necessary discernment to best approximate truth, in life or religion, is very difficult to achieve. And those that do somehow get this discernment, are too humble to proclaim it as truth. It is just how they live. No proclamations. No speeches. No lectures. No preaching. Their heart and their hand. That's it!

tommymore

What is the hard work? There is presently no acid test for truth. Interpretations of the Constitution and the Bible are, as you noted, wide ranging and conflicting. The question then is, is there any sure way to interpret either correctly?

tommymore

Calvinist theology is, for me, absurd, almost totally flawed. Depraved, in its way. A flower with no fouler smell than TULIP.

Cool Breeze

Google it and see what you get

Cool Breeze

Interesting! What do you find objectionable and why?

Cool Breeze

The description of it is more important than where. Pilate asked Jesus What is Truth? I don't think he received an answer.

Cool Breeze

Okay! Do you know what a koan in Zen is? This one is for you!