Tolerating Religious Truth

 

 

 

Should we be obligated to regard all religions as equally true? Those who think this way often view religious truth as something we create for ourselves rather than an objective reality we discover. They are also disingenuous because they don’t take the same individualized and subjective approach in other areas. Most of us want the truth from our doctor or our mechanic, not just a personal feeling. In history class, we want the truth not someone’s version of it. When testifying in court, we hold people accountable for telling the truth, the whole truth, so help you…… Then we test their claims to verify the truthfulness of them.

 In many spheres of life, truth is regarded as objectively verifiable reality. On matters of opinion: “Chocolate is the best ice cream,” truth is a subjective feeling or matter of taste. There’s no need to launch serious arguments on such matters. If, however, I say, “Hitler was evil.” I have expressed an opinion worthy of defense. On such viewpoints, I must line the facts up to support my opinion. Likewise, religious beliefs must accurately correspond with reality.

Applying this to Christianity, if the account of Jesus Christ is not based on real events or facts, the person who believes it is a fool no matter how it makes him feel or how much meaning he claims to get from it. His beliefs are based on imaginary thoughts and feelings. C. S. Lewis was right when he wrote, “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”  

Some religious claims are objectively true; some are simply false. To distinguish the true from the false, one must ask, “Do these claims correspond with reality and facts independent of anyone’s opinions about them?” Religious claims are mostly claims about reality. Such claims must be investigated to learn if they are objectively true or false. For example: God either exists or He doesn’t. God, as Christianity teaches, has revealed Himself at a certain time in history or He hasn’t. If I conclude that another person’s religious affirmations are false, it does not mean I cannot respect their right to hold them. Tolerance only becomes a virtue where there is strong disagreement and respect for those with whom you disagree.

Steve Cornell