"Truth" - One of the most abused words

by donny 7 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  donny

  Since leavng the "Truth" some 18 years ago, I am amazed sometimes how often that little 5 letter word is abused. I have heard so many people attach it to their statements that I basically call into question anything anyone says that is followed by the word "truth".

  I bring this up because it really seemed to come at me from many directions this past weekend. On Friday, I was listening to Karel who hosts a left wing talks show on Green 960 here in the Bay Area. He was ranting about how the Republicans were holding up the extension of unemplyment benefits because they want to continue the tax cut for the wealthy. He said "not a speck of truth can be found in their propaganda." He also often refers to G.W. Bush as a "war criminal."

  Then I caught a rerun of Glenn Becks (right wong) show and he made a statement about how "the left and truth are almost total strangers to each other" and then went on his typical rant against the Obama Administration.

  Then on Saturday I was listening to the Dr. Dean Edell show and he was talking about how the makers of vitamins and supplements refuse to admit the "truth" that the facts show most of them are not needed by the body and in fact some can do harm in the high doses that come in many of the pills. He said they peddle their wares because most Americans will not research the data on the supplement industry and buy them just "in case" they help. He said Americans don't want to know the truth about vitamins and supplements.

  On Sunday, I came across a radio show from Kevin Trudeau who has been convicted multiple times for fraud and making misleading statements regarding the "natural and organic" products and books he touts. He basically stated that the nearly everything the U.S. Government and the Medical Industry towards healthcare is part of a conspiracy to keep you sick and dependent on their "stuff". He stated that they don't want you to know the "truth." One of his books is titled " Natural Cures “They” Don’t Want You to Know About." He also refers to covert operations afoot in the U.S. government to keep him silenced. I found that funny since his show runs 3 hours every Sunday.

  So does the word truth come up often in your vocabulary? Also, what other words suffer from similar "abuse?"

  Donny. That is my name and it is the truth.
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  Evidently Apostate

  i refuse to call this religion the truth and will correct myself and say "this religion" or "the witnesses" until that fallacy is out of my head.

  Apostate is misused in the religion and i am comfortable calling myself one.
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  AGuest

  I think it depends on the speaker, dear Donny (peace to you!)... and the information such one is sharing. If I know the person... then I should know if they're telling the truth or not (although, even with close loved ones one cannot always tell - .)

  I can take or leave Karel and while I try to stay out of politics, I agree with him re the holdup of unemployment extensions and, unfortunately, Mr. Bush (at least, as to Sadam Hussein and possibly others).

  I don't know if I believe Mr. Beck, but I don't have sufficient grounds to disbelieve him as (1) I believe both the right and left lie... to push their agendas; (2) I believe both Democrat and Republican politicians... and pundits... lie... to push their agendas; and (3) given the past history of the Democrats (African American slavery)... and the current pandering of Republicans (to the wealthy and powerful)... I consider them equal, really. I don't really consider one better... or worse... than the other.

  Now, Dr. Dean Edell is another story. He is a doctor... has been on the air (both TV and radio) for years... and puts his license and malpractice insurance on the line, something the others don't do. He, as well as the TV/radio station could be sued (and both could lose their licenses) if he gave out frivolous, arbitrary information. Also, I haven't heard anything that he's said be disputed by, say, Dr. Oz (cause he's the new expert, don'cha know...). And I am sure there are predatory reporters out there who would JUMP on some bad information from a licensed doctor, so...

  I think we've lived so long AWAY from truth that we often don't even recognize it when we hear it, anymore. Also, given our association/relationships with the "Trooth", not only are we suspicious of anyone claiming to have/speak it, the very word brings up some controversial feelings. Some are actually afraid of it.

  But it's like riding a horse. Or, for some of us, a bike. So, you fell off. Scraped your chin, maybe even cracked a tooth. But if you don't get up and get back on... you may never ride again. And that would be shame. Same thing with the truth: it would be a shame if, because of one's bad experience with the WTBTS one never again allows oneself to consider whether there really is real truth to be known. There is, however. Both technically (you know, like "water is wet")... and literally. Like Christ (John 14:6). Or the other way around, if you prefer.

  Again, peace to you!

  A slave of Christ,

  SA
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  donny

  I agree that both sides of the political spectrum lie. I sometimes wonder if the folks that use this word in their discourse/diatribe really believe that it validates their statements? It is a word that has taken a very bad beating.

  Donny
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  donny

  Yesterday evening I spoke to my JW co-worker and asked "How can something be described as "truth" now and later on it is determined to be in error? Was it not an "error" all along?"

  His answer: "Truth is what is true at the present. If that changes later on, it does not mean that it was in error. However with new light we now now that it was not the clear truth, but it was still the truth of the moment."

  Is "truth" only a momentary thing?

  Donny
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  Yan Bibiyan

  His answer: "Truth is what is true at the present. If that changes later on, it does not mean that it was in error. However with new light we now now that it was not the clear truth, but it was still the truth of the moment."

  Really?!?!

  So if 2+2=40 yesterday and 2+2=4 today we are still OK? Jeez, I guess I should only give you back 4 bucks today for the 40 you fronted me yesterday and we are cool, right?

  What jokers...
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  donny

  My JW co-worker and I continued our conversation yesterday and I am amazed at his rationalization. Here is a converstation.

  Me: I don't understand how something can be true now and yet it may not be next year.

  Him: You keep thinking of "truth" as smoething that is always true. It is not, it changes with the time. For example, if I told you in 1985 that I buy all of my new movies on Beta video, that would be the truth. However if I said I buy all of my new movies today on Beta video, that would no longer be the truth because things have changed, the technology has gotten brighter. It is the same with God's organization. What was the truth then is no longer today because of increasing light.

  Me: So how was declaring that Jesus returned in 1874 for the first 50 years of the Society's existence the truth?

  Him: You are just picking at hairs.

  Me: No, I just want to understand.

  Him: If you are really sincere and pray for understanding, it will come.

  At this point you could tell he was getting a bit testy so I dropped the subject for the day.
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  Ding

  A better analogy would be that if the guy truly bought all his movies on Beta in 1985 that can never change to new light by which he bought all his movies on VHS in 1985.

  Either Jesus returned invisibly in 1874 or he didn't.