Truth by Popular Vote
Jim Fell
If a tree falls in the forest, and no one was around to see or hear it fall, did it make a noise? This is how our world defines truth today: perception and concensus. After all, there is no absolute truth, or, even if there is such a thing, no one can be absolutely certain of it.
Every few days I get email from a “christian” website detailing the results of their latest poll. Typically, these polls focus on responses to questions about morality and current events. For example, one such question was along the lines of, Is it okay for Christians to have sex before marriage? It is hard to believe that such a question even needs asking, but what is even more difficult to believe is the audacity of some so-called christians who seem to think that what is right and what is wrong depends upon the popular views of the day. This being the case, I suppose a good question for the next poll would be to ask, “Is is wrong for a Christian to commit murder?” By the reasoning of the day, if we can get enough people to respond “No,” a lot of space in our jails will free up overnight and that fiscal drain on the system will be eliminted.
This idea that truth is relative and can be arrived at simply by a majority vote goes far beyond marriage and murder. It pervades everything in our culture today.
Absolute truth is absolutely real, determined by an absolute God.
If one were to step out in front of an oncoming bus, I guaurantee you, the bus absolutely will win. You know this. We all know this. This “bus-truth” is not disputed by anyone because there is no disputing it.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, but by Me.” This too is truth. (By the way, truth is truth; all truth is absolute. To say some truths are absolutely true whereas other “truths” are not so true is to play semantics, and is utter folly.) You would probably agree that this statement would never be labelled as truth by a popular vote. In fact, the same is true of most of the truly important truths. As the importance, or veracity, of a truth increases, the more it is opposed by en masse.
There was a time when the consensus was that the earth was flat. However, we know today that thee earth is in indeed flat. If there is no absolute truth, who is to say that the earth is not flat? However, technically speaking, neither is the earth a perfect sphere. It is a slightly eliptical. Even if everyone on the planet believed that it was as flat as a pancake, that would not make it so. Consensual denial of truth simply does not, has not, and will never shape or define truth.
Original contribution by Jim Fell for Correctness Commentary.
© 2008 Jim Fell
