Truth

Some list the author as unknown, other sources claim it's an ancient prayer, some a Hebrew prayer. Wherever it came from, I love the quote below. When I came across it a year or two ago, I typed it up and taped it to the wall of my office.

"From the cowardice that shrinks from new truth, from the laziness that is content with half truth, from the arrogance that thinks it has all truth - O God of truth, deliver us!"

Why does religion so often become dogmatic such that we think we've got it all figured out? Why, when we're confident that God has spoken to us, do we think that He has told us all He knows? Why is it so much easier to accept convenient explanations for things rather than to persistently seek the whole truth? Why are we so loathe to accept truth, in whatever form it comes, just because it seems to conflict with some of our preconceived notions of reality?

I think I know the answers to these questions. The last one, at least, is easily explained. Having our core beliefs challenged is frightening. We would rather accept lies than be shaken at our foundations. Accepting truth that challenges our basic beliefs forces us to reexamine everything on which those beliefs are built. That's scary. It's intimidating. And it leaves us without an anchor. Fear is easier for me to explain than laziness or arrogance, but I think I can answer the other questions if I really make the effort. Unfortunately, I'm just too lazy.

The quest for truth is one of the things that makes life meaningful for me. I don't know why it is, but I am constantly driven to seek new knowledge. Because of the weaknesses inherent in my nature, I have been deluded at times by the cowardice, laziness, and arrogance mentioned in that prayer. Perhaps that's why I love that prayer - because it's exactly what I need to focus on as I seek for truth. In any case, it struck me as profound when I first read it and I still love it.

There's a lot more I'd like to say about truth, but I found that by trying, this post threatened to become extremely disjointed. Think about that prayer and see whether it resonates with you. Let me know if it does. I'd like to hear your thoughts.