"I’ve seen a few articles linking Trump’s ability to lie and his followers capacity to believe lies to Christianity — that evangelical religion laid the egg of incredulity that Trump somehow hatched. While that provides insight on some levels (especially in regard to Trumpism’s and the GOP’s rejection of science), I’m not entirely convinced. Indeed, while American evangelicalism bears some guilt for anti-intellectualism and the conspiracy mentality, Christianity itself has more often been (in Western society) the pathway toward truth." A great article, but, none the less, Christianity cannot be considered a pathway toward truth as it has extensively laid the groundwork for generations to train people to believe in authority figures with unverifiable stories instead of science and data.
Thank you, thank you...Somedays it feels like I am an island in my thoughts. How can this be happening...at least a few share my concerns and disbelief. God feels so far away some days....
I have been looking for a bridge to my brother, now an American citizen ensconced in a "Christian Community" who appear to have swallowed the "koolaid". Your article seems like just the thing, not that I hold out a lot of hope. Best wishes from north of the border!
Diana, as always, I enjoy so much reading your theological analysis of our present context. Truth in the bible is relational as in who is trustworthy to stake our very life in following. Yes, even if DJT would go away, the world of alternative facts would not. When the world is awash in information, who do you trust to sift through the fiction to give you the facts? When the world lives in ghettos, silos of filtered information that reinforces one's biases, how does one hear the truth that breaks through the noise? We have lost a common ground to stand in post-modernity and people of extreme wealth have learned how to manipulate it to their advantage. If only we could develop a hermeneutic of suspicion as we read texts to then give ourselves over to one greater than ourselves as the text reads us. Scripture does that for me as it does for you. I try to develop a post critical naiveté so to speak but not always successful.
Once truth becomes an object, it is available for manipulation. In the cerebral world alone, autonomous thinking has no moral base. In the hands of a cult personality, the collective unconsciousness rallies around its leader blindly adhering to the version of reality being promoted. Subjective truth is based on individual experience, alive in a heart centered place that adheres to the absolute truth of love. It is only the source of the Divine within that can lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil.
Diana, I enjoyed reading your article. In my humble opinion.the truth for every person is different because each of us views the truth with our own lens. However, even with all these differences I believe truth can emerge as long as our society practices civility. Sadly my lens sees a more and more of less civility within our society especially when watching the news. Perhaps it is time for our society to look back on our history and take time to read works from our founding fathers. George Washington's 110 rules of civility is a good one to start with. Although he was not the author it was a school exercise for him they have become known as his rules. By the way I was told it was a Jusuit monk who wrote these. As Christians it is more important then ever to be the light in the dark and show the way for others.
Diana, this is so balanced and with an inherent kindness I find it encouraging and even hopeful. I remember back four years ago when I first heard the term "alternative facts" espoused and I laughed out loud at the absurdity of it. Now, I cringe at the layers and tranches of alternative facts and the acceptance of anything as factual if it supports one's alternative reality. Perhaps we can find, once again, this biblical relational truth resting in trustworthiness and faithfulness. I remain hopeful those days long for us to find them once again.
My reaction to Trump’s behavior made me get involved in helping with the GA Senate race. Little will change if Congress stays the same.
Please Let people know it is not to late to write letters to GA voters and to donate!! I live in AZ. Contact FliptheWest. org. They send you names to write postcards to encourage Democrats to vote.
"I’ve seen a few articles linking Trump’s ability to lie and his followers capacity to believe lies to Christianity — that evangelical religion laid the egg of incredulity that Trump somehow hatched. While that provides insight on some levels (especially in regard to Trumpism’s and the GOP’s rejection of science), I’m not entirely convinced. Indeed, while American evangelicalism bears some guilt for anti-intellectualism and the conspiracy mentality, Christianity itself has more often been (in Western society) the pathway toward truth." A great article, but, none the less, Christianity cannot be considered a pathway toward truth as it has extensively laid the groundwork for generations to train people to believe in authority figures with unverifiable stories instead of science and data.
Thank you, thank you...Somedays it feels like I am an island in my thoughts. How can this be happening...at least a few share my concerns and disbelief. God feels so far away some days....
I have been looking for a bridge to my brother, now an American citizen ensconced in a "Christian Community" who appear to have swallowed the "koolaid". Your article seems like just the thing, not that I hold out a lot of hope. Best wishes from north of the border!
Diana, as always, I enjoy so much reading your theological analysis of our present context. Truth in the bible is relational as in who is trustworthy to stake our very life in following. Yes, even if DJT would go away, the world of alternative facts would not. When the world is awash in information, who do you trust to sift through the fiction to give you the facts? When the world lives in ghettos, silos of filtered information that reinforces one's biases, how does one hear the truth that breaks through the noise? We have lost a common ground to stand in post-modernity and people of extreme wealth have learned how to manipulate it to their advantage. If only we could develop a hermeneutic of suspicion as we read texts to then give ourselves over to one greater than ourselves as the text reads us. Scripture does that for me as it does for you. I try to develop a post critical naiveté so to speak but not always successful.
Much thanks for this very understandable explanation of what truth is...and, by definition, isn't.
Once truth becomes an object, it is available for manipulation. In the cerebral world alone, autonomous thinking has no moral base. In the hands of a cult personality, the collective unconsciousness rallies around its leader blindly adhering to the version of reality being promoted. Subjective truth is based on individual experience, alive in a heart centered place that adheres to the absolute truth of love. It is only the source of the Divine within that can lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil.
Diana, I enjoyed reading your article. In my humble opinion.the truth for every person is different because each of us views the truth with our own lens. However, even with all these differences I believe truth can emerge as long as our society practices civility. Sadly my lens sees a more and more of less civility within our society especially when watching the news. Perhaps it is time for our society to look back on our history and take time to read works from our founding fathers. George Washington's 110 rules of civility is a good one to start with. Although he was not the author it was a school exercise for him they have become known as his rules. By the way I was told it was a Jusuit monk who wrote these. As Christians it is more important then ever to be the light in the dark and show the way for others.
Diana, this is so balanced and with an inherent kindness I find it encouraging and even hopeful. I remember back four years ago when I first heard the term "alternative facts" espoused and I laughed out loud at the absurdity of it. Now, I cringe at the layers and tranches of alternative facts and the acceptance of anything as factual if it supports one's alternative reality. Perhaps we can find, once again, this biblical relational truth resting in trustworthiness and faithfulness. I remain hopeful those days long for us to find them once again.
Diane I always appreciate your remarks.
My reaction to Trump’s behavior made me get involved in helping with the GA Senate race. Little will change if Congress stays the same.
Please Let people know it is not to late to write letters to GA voters and to donate!! I live in AZ. Contact FliptheWest. org. They send you names to write postcards to encourage Democrats to vote.
Bette Mulley- Green Valley, AZ