Gods Truth Tested?

Can we test the truth that is God? Can we determine whether what the bible says about god is accurate? Or for that matter whether scripture from any world religion is measurable or accurate?

My gut instinct says no. Critical biblical scholars say no. Only those who believe in a religious system tend to believe that what their scripture says is true. In Christianity and Judaism, there are different degrees of what one believes to be true from scripture.

What about people who do not believe in god? Do atheists have the same problem of how to measure that what they believe (that there is no god) is true? My gut instinct tells me they do have the same problem.

Is it ego that pushes us to say openly what we believe to be true?

What is wrong with saying “I simply do not know?” We cannot, with historical credibility, attest to who wrote the parts of the bible or who put them together. Even if we could identify the authors with historical accuracy, how could we know they had the authority to write the word of god? And how could oral stories retold over thousands of years be counted on as giving accurate accounts of history when simple modern tests have revealed that stories passed around a few people end up significantly corrupted within the span of a single day?

I can agree on one thing with people of faith: That faith is the bridge to belief. But faith and belief do not always equal the truth.

Does the truth matter in the big scheme of life? If so, how? Who benefits? Where did it originate? There are so many questions but there is no irrefutable way to test any answers to such questions for validity, reliability, and accuracy.

Yet we argue with passion that our spiritual truth is accurate and complete for the journey of life and community. We shun and ostracize those who do not believe our truths. Why?

What is observable is that humans exhibit tendencies that are good regardless of their religious or non religious backgrounds.

1. Mercy
2. Kindness
3. Selflessness
4. Compassion
5. Empathy
6. Service for the betterment of humanity
7. Trustworthiness

These human attributes change the world and make it a better place to live. Is it not the goal of a loving God that all his children strive to make their world a better place? My point is that morality and goodness are not exclusive to Christianity or any other religion; they are attributes that humans from all walks and beliefs exhibit. So where do the attributes come from? In my opinion they come from the spirit of god speaking to our hearts.

I did not need to read the 10 commandments to know that is better to honor my parents or not to covet what is not mine, or to murder or be deceitful and tell untruths for my gain. These laws are built into all of us, and known by all humanity.

So what is the clarion call to humanity? That is a question only you can answer for yourself.

For me personally these are the truths that I hold on to as being from God. I cannot prove them to you. I cannot say it is the Truth with the capital T. All I can say is that when these truths are applied, the world becomes a better place.

I simply and humbly have to say that I do not know for a fact how God works or how to have a personal relationship with God.

What I can know is that when these above mentioned principles are widespread in our families and communities, then life is better and happier.

The good news is that these principles exist in every religion and nonreligion, in the hearts of every man and woman. Nobody can take away the truth in your heart. Those of us who believe in god believe that god is the source of that inner truth, but it doesn’t matter what the source was as long as we don’t ignore that inner voice in our quest for truth, the meaning of life, and enlightenment.