Nicolou: Good observation ... I would like to see you develop it some more.
OnTheWayOut: I am reading over your post, and will comment in detail later today. You make some good points.
Mall Cop (Blueblades):
Amazing is it true that we are a product of our culture?
In the narrow context of the question ... initially, yes. I would say that as we grow, expand, get exposed to other cultures, visit other nations and get to know peoples of those nations ... and study their cultures ... experience their cultures ... then we become a product of all that we are exposed to, and a product of many cultures.
That where we were born and what we were taught becomes our truth?
Initially, yes. See my response above.
For example, suppose we born in China, that would make us Chinese.
Generally, yes. However, Chinese is both a race and culture. We could be born there of English parents and be raised as English people. We would undoubtedly take some Chinese language and culture with us.
Then we would be taught a chinese culture that would involve a religous teaching that would be the truth for us in China.
Generally, in a relative sense, your point is valid ... however, in the ancient world, it was also truth that the earth was flat, and that the sun moved around the earth. That did not make it truth ... it just seemed true to those who lived at that time and place. So what is true in China today, may seem true to them, but may not be true in reality. Many people living in Communists lands, like China, were taught that the west was evil, out to get them, and that we suffered in poverty, while they lived in the workers paradise. Most of them likely accepted the lie as the truth. That did not make it the truth.
The same would go for where ever one was born and raised on earth.
See my response above about China ... it would apply across the board.
Of course one could abandoned their culture and what they were taught and learn that what they were originally taught was no longer the truth that they thought it was .
Yes ... agreed.
Another example:In short. I was born into the Catholic faith. A knock on the door changed that for me. The Watchtower Society had a lock on what is the real truth and I accepted it over my Catholic upbringing. ... Some 33 years later, I come to an awakening that they don't have the truth.
Yes ... and I share the same history with you ... a few differences, but the same nonetheless.
25 years a Catholic, 33 years a JW, 6 years later at the age of 64, I still cannot answer your two questions.
That is OK. I am not always able to answer them for myself. What do you think of what I posted above, on page 1 I think:
I attribute 'truth' in different ways to different things:
The Court Room: As a juror I want facts (truthful information) so I and other jurors can determine innocence or guilt.
Science: I want truthful facts and working theory ... but let the truth emerge like an unfolding flower that never stops revealing new surprises.
Philosophy: Truth is too elusive for me ... I generally fall on my face when trying to find any truthful frame of reference.
Human relationships: Truth is honesty with one another.
Relationship with God: Truth (Christ) is that on which I can firmly rely, like a foundation stone, knowing my faith will not shipwreck ... and have an eternal future with God and all my brothers and sisters in heaven ... whatever that may mean ... however it unfolds ...
The Father: In truth is the ultimate object of worship ... the one who I can call Papa.
The Son: In truth is the rock of my salvation, of whom I owe eternal gratitude and loyalty.
The Holy Spirit: In truth is my advocate, teacher, counselor, guide, comforter, and friend.
The Saints: In truth, the Holy Ones are there as friends and brothers and sisters living in divinity with whom I can commune.
The Holy Catholic Church: In truth, the place of reconciliation, healing, and sacramental connection between humanity and divinity.
All people on earth: In truth, my brothers and sisters, who, like me, are sinners in need of Christ, of whom I hope will not let their Watchtower experience, or other negative religious or life experiences, kill the faith in Christ they once had, or may have in the future. (Edited to clarify more than just the JWs)
To me, what truth is, and how one defines it, depends on how truth is being used, and in what context we use it. Do you find any agreement with the above?
