Blog 2484 – 08.13.2022

Self Deception?

Is there any other kind really? Jesus said, “You shall know the true and the truth shall set you free.” It is equally possible to believe a lie and be imprisoned by it. It would seem in either case the person holding the key to truth and freedom or deception and imprisonment is ourself.

I do not claim to have perfect understanding nor that I have any special corner on the truth. It is the providence of the young to think they have discovered the whole truth while those with more experience often are doubtful and dubious of such claims. The ole snake oil salesman always claims to have the cure for what ails you and the prophets, preachers, politicians, and lawyers, still claim to speak only the truth and nothing but the truth.

At a college in New Jersey a few nights ago a seventy-five year old writer was attempting to share some truth that he had believed had freed his mind when a younger man of twenty-four jumped up on the stage and stabbed him several times with a knife. Salmon Rushdie is in the hospital on a ventilator in critical condition. The young man is in police custody.

Freedom of speech means we get to share our truth or at least have the freedom to do so if we desire, but it also means that others are free to do so as well. If faith is such a wonderful thing why are true-believes such an ever present danger? Most high profile assassinations end up being ruled to have been perpetrated by lone nuts, outliers, or by religious or political extremists. But all too often these persons are wound up and set loose by those in power or those desiring more of it.

As individuals we bear a certain responsibility for what we choose to believe and to act upon, but also for those we influence to do so. President Abraham Lincoln, arguably one of this nation’s best Presidents said, “You can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” He was shot by one of those true-believers in a cause. It was a cowardly act and like most such acts a conspiratorial one. Just as I believe it takes a village to raise a child property it usually takes a village that has taken up a cause to produce lone nut assassins as well.

The truth this world most needs now and always has is love sweet love, not another religion or cause to kill and die for.

Your friend and fellow traveler,

David White