Truth Month - July 2024 - Day 31 - Celebrate Truth, All the Time. All the Time, Celebrate Truth

 

Truth Month - July 2024

Day 31 -  Celebrate Truth, All the Time.  All the Time, Celebrate Truth

It is not currently popular to stand for the truth.  Relativism reigns and new destructive philosophies such as CRT, DEI, and radical social justice vie for dominance against traditional values.  Words are redefined to win arguments and influence morality without firing a shot.  Feelings and desires are now said to define reality, and rights are granted and revoked as the powerful find useful.  "My truth" and "my lived experience" carry far more weight than inconvenient objective truths.

All is not lost, but it all starts with YOU.  Don't give in to redefinitions of truth and what is good/evil.  Question their assumptions and ask them how they justify their claims, or how they came to their conclusions.  Refuse to use their language and the Orwellian Newspeak they use. 

I would encourage everyone to not just embrace real truth for a limited time, but rather to incorporate it into your core values and promote it daily.

Truth Month - July 2024 

Truth Month - July 2024 - Day 30 - Before passing judgment, be sure to apply the same standard to yourself

 

Truth Month - July 2024

Day 30 - Before passing judgment, be sure to apply the same standard to yourself

A common misconception among non-Christians, and even many church goers, is that we are commanded to never judge others.  Aren't we all just supposed to love and accept everyone as they are?  Well, that is not really what Jesus taught at all.

Here is what he actually said, 

1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.  (Matt. 7:1-5)

In context, it sure sounds like he actually expected us to make judgements, but called his followers to not be hypocritical about it.  Scripture is filled with examples and admonitions to make spiritual judgements about many things.  The actions and beliefs of others are fair game.  Of course, this is not a license to seek and destroy people's lives by pointing out every flaw one can find, regardless of how that will affect them.  The Bible is also very clear that we need to correct, rebuke, and teach others in such a way as to build them up or to restore them to fellowship.  It is never to be done to intentionally harm someone or to just win an argument.

Truth Month - July 2024 

Truth Month - July 2024 - Day 29 - Work is good and the norm for all people

 

Truth Month - July 2024

Day 29 - Work is good and the norm for all people

Work is good!  While sometimes people experience hard times and need help, they should not be provided a comfortable hammock.  The assistance they get should not incentivize them to stop looking for work and to be comfortable enough to coast through life on handouts.  In fact, that is actually very harmful in the long run.  A permanent welfare state actually does not help them up and out of their situations.

Charity without expectations often begins a descending life spiral.  It has been said that "A hand up beats a handout."  While there are real exceptions where someone is no longer able to work, or when working would be a detriment to themselves or their families, the general rule should be that work is good and is expected.  This has been known for a long time, as the generous early church shows

For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."  We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.  2 Thes. 3:10-12 

Now obviously that is not meant to be mean or unfair, but rather acknowledges that work is actually for the good of all.  So why is it hard for our progressive society to have the same expectation?  Surely it is not that some people find it politically advantageous to perpetuate the welfare state?!  Or is it in service to a radical view of equity and social justice?  So far, it seems like it is currently a growth industry.

Truth Month - July 2024 

Truth Month - July 2024 - Day 28 - A life raft cannot save everyone. You cannot help others if yours sinks.

 

Truth Month - July 2024

Day 28 - A life raft cannot save everyone.  You cannot help others if yours sinks

A life raft has a maximum capacity.  If that capacity is exceeded, it will sink and all of those who trusted in being saved go down too.  In a titanic life and death situation, hard choices may have to be made so that some survive.  Perhaps the noble will sacrifice their spots, or real leaders will prioritize who is most deserving.  It is not an easy position to be in for all involved.  

In some sense, countries are like life rafts in a world of hardships and challenges.  Sometimes countries are struck by disasters, they have failed leadership, or injustices happen through wars or persecutions.  Other countries have prepared or been blessed with good fortune, and can provide assistance.  But resources are never unlimited.  

The first duty of the leaders of a country is to their people, not to all the peoples and countries of the world.  As in the lifeboat example, any given country should first provide for its own people, and only then see about helping others.  Maybe some individuals will choose to sacrifice their places or resources, but it should not be forced upon them.  It is not just to force people to involuntarily provide sanctuary to a mass influx, knowing that it will ultimately harm or doom their way of life.  Yes, it is also foolish.

We can apply this analogy to the massive influx of illegal immigrants who cross into countries without permission.  Many countries allow for immigration in a controlled manner, especially when it will be a benefit to all.  These legal immigrants are motivated and skilled to become productive members of society, and not a drain.  Countries even provide for limited numbers of refugees, at times.  But just as a life raft can only save so many people, countries are also so limited.  

Overwhelmed borders result in numbers of illegal immigrants that swamp the social safety nets of countries.  They have often become a drain, and also fail to assimilate into the existing culture.  There is also an evident attitude of entitlement and lack of gratitude toward the country they invaded.  Many Western countries are experiencing the influx of literally millions of people with fundamentally different values and religions, who rather than desiring to assimilate, want to replace or possess.  Some of these countries are in danger of sinking, or becoming unrecognizable to the citizens who sacrificed to build it.  Is it right to take needed resources away from existing needy (the poor, homeless, veterans, children,... ) and give that away to those who have come uninvited?  Would it not be better to encourage them to build or fix their own life rafts, rather than to sink those of others?

Truth Month - July 2024 

Truth Month - July 2024 - Day 27 - It is our duty to protect the weak and those who cannot help themselves

 

Truth Month - July 2024

Day 27 - It is our duty to protect the weak and those who cannot help themselves

To most people, it seems obvious that we should help others when we have the means and opportunity.  Because of that, our societal structure attempts to help those in need.  Our police and military are formally charged with providing safety and security by enforcing our laws and discouraging lawlessness.  Charity and welfare are two different types of assistance that our society uses to provide resources to the needy.  In addition, we all have a personal responsibility to assist with both within our spheres of influence and to our means and ability.

Police serve as protectors as well as deterrents to crime.  It is unfortunate that, in the name of social justice, there is a current trend to defund or eliminate law enforcement, often where crime is the highest.  In actuality, we need to protect the weak and innocent from rampant crime, even when it is being committed by those who may need help too.  Likewise, our military is meant to protect us from external threats to our nation's security.  They need to be efficiently funded and trained to be adequate deterrents to foreign threats.  However, when they are handicapped by political leaders to not finish their missions, or their focus is on DEI initiatives, we all become less safe and the mission as protectors fails.  

Welfare is mainly government assistance and its primary mission should be to help people during their lows, and then to help them find proactive ways to take care of themselves and their families.  It should never be a permanent situation that destroys their souls and motivation to work. Likewise charity, which comes from voluntary contributions, is used for helping people.  Sometimes the lines blur and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) do the actual work of distributing taxpayer provided funds.  It is my observation that true charities tend to do a better job of helping people up because they truly care about the recipients and have a responsibility to manage the funds they have received from donors and in accord with their values.  Welfare systems, especially in our modern times, often are more focused on equity and social justice, than on truly solving problems, and just become self-perpetuating organizations funded by the government.  

Government and charitable organizations are not always the first or best actors to really help people in need.  Often the people we meet, work with, socialize with, or live with are in the best position to help and/or be helped.  Authentic relationships allow us to see past facades and into other's lives.  Sometimes that will result in giving financial help or providing resources, but often it is more important to provide companionship, friendship, counseling, or spiritual guidance.  

Truth Month - July 2024 

Truth Month - July 2024 - Day 26 - It is wrong to take the life of innocent human beings

 

Truth Month - July 2024

Day 26 - It is wrong to take the life of innocent human beings

Without proper justification, it is clearly wrong to take the life of innocent human beings.  Our moral intuitions should universally agree on that.  Yes, this post specifically is going to address abortion, aka "women's reproductive rights".  I doubt there are many who would be bold enough to argue that the baby in the womb is not innocent, so the real question we should ask ourselves is whether there are actually sufficient justifications for taking the life of the unborn?

One way to evaluate this is to use the SLED test.

• Size - Does size make a difference in the value of a human being?  Are short people of less value than tall ones (as the 70's Randy Newman song suggests)?  Children are smaller than adults, but clearly we don't treat them as having less value.  So how is size a justification for declaring the unborn to be less valuable? 

• Level of Development - Compare the following: children, teens, mature adults, and the elderly.  Are any of these more valuable humans than others?  On this basis, who has less justification to live?  There is a continuous process of development of a fertilized egg up through birth and beyond.  At exactly what point then does the developing human become endowed with value that it didn't have moments before?

• Environment - Does a person's location determine their worth?  Is a baby on one side of the birth canal worth less than one on the other?  Is a human less valuable if they are trapped in a cave vs. on the beach?  Are the homeless less valuable than those sitting in mansions?  It seems obvious that the answer should be "no".    

• Degree of Dependency - Should a person's dependency matter?  Is a person on life support, or needing a wheelchair, less of a person than someone who can do physical labor and provide for themselves?  Does needing medication for mental health issues make someone less worthy of having a place in society, even to the extent of removing them from it?  What if it costs too much to care for them?  Is that really a good reason for "termination"?

But perhaps carrying a baby would be an inconvenience, limit career options, or cost too much to raise.  What if the baby will be unwanted, abused, or a reminder of tragic circumstances?  Or it infringes on my lifestyle or sexual freedom or ….?   I'd suggest taking a step back and asking yourself if those reasons would ever justify harming or killing another person.  Just asking for millions of innocents.

Truth Month - July 2024 

Truth Month - July 2024 - Day 25 - Justice is supposed to be fairly applied - blind to status and impartial in judgment

 

Truth Month - July 2024

Day 25 - Justice is supposed to be fairly applied - blind to status and impartial in judgment

The well-known image of Lady Justice shows her with a blindfold covering her eyes and holding a scale.  The expectation is that justice will be weighed fairly and applied in the same way to everyone regardless of their status, character, or wealth.  When justice is not uniformly applied, then confidence is lost in fair outcomes.  This applies both to the wealthy as well as to the poor, to those in power and to those who are not, and to those of high reputation as well as to those with a criminal past.

It should be distressing to all when we see that this is not the case.  

• When protestors of disfavored movements are targeted with extreme charges and sentences, while favored groups who burned and looted businesses, for example, are not even charged

• When political leaders are targeted with "unique" interpretations of laws that have rarely/never been prosecuted before or applied in this manner just to "get" someone

• When violent criminals are either not arrested or immediately released because they are poor/oppressed and are not even required to post bail

• When disproportionate fines are levied against individuals, especially who can't afford to defend themselves against either the government or corporations with deep pockets

• When judges appear to be biased in favor of certain cultural or political agendas and prejudicially rule consistently against one side

• When judges limit the free speech of one party, but does not gag the other, in the name of safety and fairness

• When judges have clear conflicts of interest and known biases, but refuse to admit it and recuse themselves

• When the political party in power weaponizes the full power of the government to find crimes against their opponents

• When judges effectively make laws by fiat instead of properly interpreting existing ones as intended

• When justices refuse to "get involved" in controversial cases that might result in them losing popularity at social gatherings

When this happens, confidence in the integrity of the courts is diminished and lost.  Lady Justice should not tip the scales to achieve predetermined outcomes of equity, social justice, and discrimination at the expense of truth, real justice, and the laws of our constitutional republic.

Truth Month - July 2024 

Truth Month - July 2024 - Day 24 - God became a human - Humans cannot ever become gods

 

Truth Month - July 2024

Day 24 - God became a human.  Humans cannot ever become gods.

One truth that seems obvious is that men are not gods, nor are they angels.  We certainly don't act like it is even a remote possibility most of the time.  Philosophically, God is uncaused, necessary, and who is the greatest conceivable being.  He is all powerful, all knowing, all good, omnipresent, immaterial, self-existent, and eternal.  God is the creator of everything that has ever come into existence, including all intelligent beings.

A consequence of this is that there cannot be multiple gods, since there can be only a single greatest being.  One cannot rightly be called "God" by being a lesser version of the one true God.  Yes, human beings have a lot of pride and ambition, but any religion that claims to allow men to ascend to godhood is mistaken, at best, or leading people to worship false gods, at worst. 

However, we have an offer on the table.  We can accept His invitation to become children of God by being grafted into His family through Jesus Christ, who was the embodiment of God as a man.             

Truth Month - July 2024 

Truth Month - July 2024 - Day 23 - God has revealed Himself to us. Our attempts to make our own religions are doomed to fail.

 

Truth Month - July 2024

Day 23 - God has revealed Himself to us.  Our attempts to make our own religions are doomed to fail.

Most religions have a focus on experiencing the divine or becoming one with God.  Human beings have an inherent spirituality and we have sometimes been labeled homo religiosus.  We all are drawn to questions of life’s ultimate meaning and purpose, even those professing atheism.  Why are there so many different religions and spiritual practices?  It may be because most religions are based on people trying to reach or appease their gods.  Religions have evolved as practitioners try new and different ways to experience the divine.  It is not surprising that we have floundered on our own efforts.

However, there is one major religion that makes a far different claim.  Christianity claims that there is only one true God, and that this God desired a relationship with His creation.  So He chose to reveal Himself to them in multiple ways, sometimes called General and Special Revelation.  General Revelation is available to all men through the created world.  The apostle Paul stated that this is one way that God reveals knowledge, through human experience, history, creation, and conscience.  In other words, all people naturally know something about God's existence, His power, His character, and His nature.  In addition, Special Revelation was given directly to men of God and through His Son, Jesus.  Special Revelation communicates direct, clear information about the nature of God and His expectations on us.  Jesus was the ultimate revelation, as the God who became man and lived among us.  He taught us how to live, he gave his life for us, and he proved his authority by rising from the dead.

Truth Month - July 2024 

Truth Month - July 2024 - Day 22 - We must live in the real world that God created, governed by His rules and laws

 

Truth Month - July 2024

Day 22 - We must live in the real world that God created, governed by His rules and laws.

Children have fantastic imaginations.  They can envision worlds where they can fly, fight dragons, or be someone else.  We all need escape now and then, and usually it is healthy as long as we realize that it is actually unreal.  Interacting with the real world as Superman will end badly. 

We live in a physical world governed by fixed laws of nature.  We have to eat, drink, have shelter, and clothing.  We are social creatures and look for relational connections with others and even with nature.  But the real world is potentially a dangerous place too.  Disasters happen, health can fail, or we can be harmed by the actions of others.  We do our best to protect ourselves, our families, and our well-being.  

We ignore the reality of the rules and laws of this world at our peril.  We must live in the world as it is, even if we want it to be otherwise or even if we believe it to be different from reality.  We can spend like we're rich, even if we are not.  We can treat others badly and expect to receive love in return.  We can deny that we have a disease and refuse treatment.  We can act as if we have a body biologically different from the one we were born in and even try to change it.  We can believe that we can steal without consequences.  We can live our lives as if there will never be an end or an ultimate accounting for our actions.  There are innumerable ways we can deceive ourselves, but eventually we will suffer the consequences of ignoring reality and embracing our fantasies.  

Truth Month - July 2024 

Truth Month - July 2024 - Day 21 - People and institutions may fail us but God never will

 

Truth Month - July 2024

Day 21 - People and institutions may fail us, but God never will

We are only human!  Part of the human experience is that we are not perfect.  We all make mistakes, rebel against authority, and selfishly chase our own agendas.  This is called sin and it can be against others, ourselves, and even God.  

There are few people, if any, who have not been failed by others.  In families, social groups, work, or even the church, we all have had bad experiences (e.g. hurt feelings, rejection, broken trust, abuse, etc.)  It actually is not that surprising, since any group of people you are involved with has at least one imperfect person – yourself!  Yes, it happens, but how we respond is up to us.  Forgiveness is healthy for all parties.  While that doesn't mean we shouldn't remove ourselves from dangerous situations, there is always the hope of reconciliation.  

The one thing that we can trust, though, is that God will never fail us.  God has a perfect track record of keeping His promises.  He promises that if we accept His free gift of salvation through Jesus, that we will get a clean slate and become a new creation spiritually.  Does He promise a trouble-free and prosperous life?  No, but He does promise to walk beside us all the way to the end.

Truth Month - July 2024 

Truth Month - July 2024 - Day 13 - All Truth is God's Truth

 

Truth Month - July 2024

Day 13 - All Truth is God's Truth

Truth is what corresponds to reality.  It is not about what we feel, or determined by strongly held convictions.  The foundational truth is that God cannot lie and that He is the author of all Truth.  He can never contradict Himself, since He is the immutably good, all powerful, and necessary being.

Christians have often struggled with change.  The enlightenment which fostered the scientific revolution has been hard for some to accept, especially when there are apparent discrepancies between the Words of Scripture and the discoveries of modern science.  Who do we believe and where do we place our trust?  Do we really have to choose between believing in God and facts discovered by the scientific method?

Fortunately, there is a third option — the realization that "All Truth is God's Truth."   The God who created the whole natural realm and then chose to reveal Himself to us cannot, and will not, deceive us or communicate falsehoods.  God did not give us evidence of a past history that never happened, nor did He give His revelation to mislead us into believing falsehoods.  

Historically, Christians have held to a concept called "dual revelation", or the two Books view, which is well articulated by the Belgic Confession of 1561: 

We know him by two means: first, by the creation, preservation and government of the universe; which is before our eyes as a most elegant book, wherein all creatures, great and small, are as so many characters leading us to contemplate the invisible things of God, namely, his power and divinity, as the apostle Paul saith, Romans 1:20. All which things are sufficient to convince men, and leave them without excuse. Secondly, he makes himself more clearly and fully known to us by his holy and divine Word, that is to say, as far as is necessary for us to know in this life, to his glory and our salvation.

Because both revelations come from the Creator God, there can be no inherent conflict between truths found in each.  However, we need to be humble enough to realize that, as human beings, we can misinterpret one or both, and force a seeming conflict or contradiction.  Also, it is possible that we simply don't yet fully understand portions well enough to be dogmatic about certain particulars.  

The TLDR bottom line is this:  We do not have to choose between having a love for studying the amazing creation that God has given us and loving God with all our hearts and minds.  

Truth Month - July 2024 

Truth Month - July 2024 - Day 12 - To Know the Truth, Jesus said to first Follow and Obey him

 

Truth Month - July 2024

Day 12 - To Know the Truth, Jesus said to first Follow and Obey him

The CIA headquarters has the following line inscribed on the marble wall in their lobby,

  "And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."

Perhaps surprising to some is that this is a partial verse from the Bible, but it is really taken out of context.  The quotation from Jesus is, 

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  (John 8:31-34)

The Bible is clear that wisdom comes from acknowledging God as the source of Truth, not ourselves.

9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;

    teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

    and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  (Proverbs 9:9-11)

and

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. (John 16:13)

 

In reality, truth can be a burden.  But when we acknowledge God first and choose to follow His Son, then we will truly be free.

Truth Month - July 2024 

Truth Month - July 2024 - Day 11 - Self-control is a Virtue; Pride is a Sin

 

Truth Month - July 2024

Day 11 - Self-control is a Virtue; Pride is a Sin

It used to be that a person with self-control was highly revered.  Rash behavior, violence, cruelty, and lack of personal restraint was condemned.  On the other hand, pride was considered to be one of the "deadly sins".  While sometimes it is good to be proud of virtuous behavior and unselfish accomplishments, there is a dark side to pride that destroys and can eat away the soul of the prideful person.  Historically, it was inconceivable that immoral behavior was something to be acclaimed and celebrated.

But now we as a culture have dedicated a whole month each year to celebrating Pride, but nothing comparable for the virtuous.  Maybe we should ask ourselves, "Pride in what?"  Are we exalting something that is praiseworthy and virtuous?  Is this something that should be promoted at every level of government?  Are these proclamations forced through because politicians are afraid to stand up for what is right and true, and thus bow to external pressures to concede the moral high ground.  It is hard to see why we should have pride in our civilization's widespread embrace of relativistic morality, where everyone just does what they think is right in their own eyes and where there are no objective standards of right and wrong.  Ironically, the activists don't consistently embrace relativism, since they claim that it is objectively wrong to say that there are limits on the religion of sexuality, and that equity, justice, and diversity are foundational truths that we all must embrace.  In fact, they hold to these truths so tightly that they actively squash dissenting views and speech whenever possible.  

When we have a proper view of ourselves, then we can boast in what God has allowed us to achieve and become.  Remember, 

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Truth Month - July 2024 

Truth Month - July 2024 - Day 9 - When the moral foundation of a culture crumbles, it is inevitable that evil will prosper

 

Truth Month - July 2024

Day 9 - When the moral foundation of a culture crumbles, it is inevitable that evil will prosper

There have been many examinations of why Rome fell, but many have attributed "moral decay" to its downfall.  Especially near the end, decreasing safety, sexual promiscuity, lavish overindulgent parties, and violence had greatly increased.  Is it possible that we have headed down that same road?

The United States of America was uniquely founded upon the Judeo-Christian moral ethic.  While not all of the Founders were Christians, they almost universally held to the morality found in the Christian bible.  There was common agreement about belief in the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman, of the value of human life as being created in the image of God, the good of working to earn a living and the right to keep what you earn and create, to not take or steal what belongs to others, to have just laws and have them applied impartially, and an understanding that there is objective right and wrong - good and evil.  They based our constitutional republic on the underlying foundation provided by the Ten Commandments and other biblical principles.

It is apparent to many that our nation has strayed from these core principles.  No longer do we hold there are self-evident truths that determine what is right and wrong.  Instead, now "my truth" and "lived experience" is given more weight in modern culture and political realms.  The sexual revolution keeps expanding to more extremes than was imagined possible just a short time ago.  We sacrifice the young, innocent, and unborn on the altars of diversity and convenience.  Justice is perverted, where the guilty are not punished but encouraged, while others are targeted for prosecution because of their beliefs.  Equity of outcomes is now touted as fairness, instead of giving equal opportunity, which also comes with the expectation of hard work and no guarantees.  Lifetime politicians enrich themselves and gather power.  Established religions are denigrated, while any other form of spirituality is encouraged.  Moral relativism has removed the grounding of right and wrong to the extent that things previously known to be evil are now permitted and promoted as good.

There truly is a culture war that is being waged, and the consequences to the corporate soul of our nation are dire.  Will evil continue to prosper until the inevitable fall, or will there be a revival in the hearts of the people?  Time will tell.

Truth Month - July 2024 

Truth Month - July 2024 - Day 7 - Affirming another's delusions is ultimately harmful

 

Truth Month - July 2024

Day 7 - Affirming another's delusions is ultimately harmful

A dangerous trend in our modern world is affirming those who are in denial about reality and truth. In the past, when a concerned family member or professional observed dangerous or self-destructive behavior, then they took action to get the person help or reported the dangerous situation to someone who could help.  Now, however, it seems more likely than not to go along with the person's delusions and affirm them, in the name of compassion or social justice.

In the past, most health professionals would agree that long-term solutions generally did not involve going along with the patient's delusions, and certainly not to the extent of actively helping them in continuing self-destructive actions.  But somehow, in the name of inclusive compassion, that has all changed in the matter of just a few years.  Now doctors, parents, counselors, and school officials are actively promoting the continuation of harmful behaviors, and in some cases, even helping to cover up evidence of troubled behaviors. Those who object are openly persecuted and blamed, sometimes resulting in the loss of parental rights or meaningful contact with the victim.

Few people would encourage a person experiencing Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID) to have healthy limbs amputated or their spinal cord transected.  Nor would rational people continue to affirm an anorexic girl's belief that she is overweight.  Most would agree that that would be evil and destructive.  Out of control drinking and drug use should raise alarm bells for anyone who cares about the well-being of another, and intervention is morally required.  We are expected to report suicidal or self-destructive behavior to the proper authorities too.  If we care about the individuals, we need to actually help them.

But for some reason, when it comes to a growing list of behaviors, we are now expected to affirm these behaviors in the name of equity and diversity.  If a child (or adult for that matter) actually thinks that they are an animal (e.g. Furries) and continually acts it out, the expectation is to play along and assist in the delusion.  Not to do so is considered to be harmful.  Likewise, if a young child or teen experiencing mental health issues is also experiencing gender dysphoria, it is assumed that the real issue is that they are really in a body of the wrong sex.  So the solution is not to first resolve the underlying mental health issues, but rather to assist in radical sex reassignments via irreversible chemical castration, cross-sex hormone treatments, and even surgeries.  In many cases, these are done without the consent or knowledge of the parents or guardians.  Sometimes out of fear, or because they are supporting the new sexual ethic, the parents actually are the drivers of the changes for children too young to make informed consent.  What was unthinkable just a few years ago, now is acceptable practice.  

As a society, we should probably ask "Why?"  Is it to appease a vocal minority that are pushing a radical moral agenda and want to fundamentally transform our society away from traditional moral values?  When we look back on this, I suspect that we'll be horrified that we did experimental therapies on children (and adults) that were permanently scarring and life altering.  Just as lobotomies, forced drug trials, and involuntary sterilizations are unthinkable to us today, I would pray that we come to our senses sooner than later.  Our children should not be sacrificed on the altar of the sexual revolution.

Truth Month - July 2024 

Truth Month - July 2024 - Day 5 - Redefining words does not change reality - Ignoring reality has consequences

 

Truth Month - July 2024

Day 5 - Redefining words does not change reality.  Ignoring reality has consequences.

There is a current trend to constantly redefine words, which started with mid 20th century postmodern thought.  George Orwell noted this trend back in his visionary book, 1984.  In this book, he envisioned a dystopian future where the government-run Ministry of Truth was in charge of controlling the thoughts of the masses. To do this, they created a whole new language, "Newspeak", with their stated goal, 

"Don't you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought?  In the end we shall make thoughtcrime literally impossible, because there will be no words in which to express it." 

The modern progressive liberals have fully embraced this concept to foster societal change in the name of justice, diversity, and equity.  Many words now have been redefined to mean the opposite of what they used to mean.  For instance, 

• Sexual orientation and gender are now preferences and/or feelings rather than biological realities

• Tolerance now means you must agree with me or you are hateful, instead of allowing others to openly challenge, disagree, and debate

• Equity in outcomes has replaced equal opportunity

• Women's healthcare is now primarily about the "right" to kill unwanted, unborn children

• Racism is wrong when practiced by the oppressive, dominant white culture, but cannot ever be practiced by the oppressed – by definition

• Criminals are the victims of an unjust system and thus should not be punished.  Political opponents of Big Brother's rule excepted

• The designation of man/woman has been replaced by the subjective self-determination of the individual, instead of objective criteria like biology and physical science

• "Mother" has been replaced by more inclusive terms like "birthing people", since now men are defined such that they can have wombs too

• Fairness in competition now means opportunity to take part in sports, locker rooms, and Greek housing based solely on mutable stated preferences and/or claims

And the list goes on, and on, and on.  We have compiled many of their contemporary twisted meanings here Ministry of Truth.  

If there weren't consequences to this, we could just laugh them off as out of touch kooks, but unfortunately there are real world impacts.  You can truly believe that you can fly, but if you step off a 10th story balcony, gravity will have an impact on your beliefs.  You can tell yourself and others that it was not a human baby that was once growing in your womb, but is now dead by the hand of a doctor or reproductive health medicine.  You can try to live a life filled with morality, meaning, order, and beauty, while denying that ultimately there is no hope for a future past death for yourself, your loved ones, humanity, and even the earth (w/o God).  

So carpe diem.  Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you may die.   Or just maybe… stop twisting words and embrace the source of Truth and choose to live. 

Truth Month - July 2024