What is truth?

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By Sherry Holliman Have you ever been told to tell the truth? How do you believe what is the truth? Can people tell the truth? Is your truth the truth or a perception? How do you decide if someone is telling the truth? The truth is defined as using facts or reality. The truth can be looked at in many ways. It is no secret that politicians often lie, but is their lie their truth? It is expected that people who hold power are liars. The more politicians are exposed for lying the more society becomes very cynical of politician’s motives and the lies ruins the confidence of the political system in general. Everyone one has used a lie to tell the truth. If you have gave a compliment to someone just to be nice or encouraged someone to sing when they can’t hold a melody you are a liar. Although these are innocent lies they are still lies. We lie to cover the truth about embarrassing situations of family members being molesters, relationships ending due to infidelity, or someone we love being a substance abuser. These are lies to help paint a picture of the people we love to protect them from judgement. Someone who lies and someone who tell the truth are playing on opposite sides of the same communications. Each are responding to the situation the way they understand it. Truth is a property not so much of thoughts and ideas but more beliefs and assertions. However, to believe or assert something is not enough to make it true. Many people also believe that thoughts can be true if it corresponds to reality. The mind does not automatically perceive reality as truth because we filter, distort, and interpret it. The truth is everyone processes of reality according to social and cultural occurrences The truth of something lies in the eyes of the believer which is the best opinion one can have or give. If the best opinion is all that we have or hope for then the best opinion is as good as the truth which will make the truth a concept. Do you believe we are thought to lie? We are thought in school to make believe, to story tell. We are made to believe in Santa Claus, and tooth fairies. So how can we justify what is the truth vs what is a lie? How can we tell if we are lying to ourselves? People should always assess their truth and question their thoughts behind the findings of their responses. We should ask people that we respect and strangers to describe our character. If you disagree with their opinion of you will it make you angry, upset, or defensive? Your reaction will show you and others about your truth. Everybody truth should be constructive and adaptive opposed to lies that are destructive and hurtful. Liars are filled with fear and are most likely trying to deflect attention from their imperfections. Liars can also hurt the reputation of others by preventing them from getting potential growth opportunities. Bottom line the truth is a power play game. The truth can be viewed in many ways one is subjective, it is the individual thinking of preference and opinion regarding the matter the other is collective judgement the creation of cultural and social situations. On the other hand, some people believe that the truth is not subjective or cultural. The truth should be a moral issue for every human being whether it is a thought, written or spoken. As children we are going to do what we are taught to do but as adults we must take responsibility for our action and tell the truth no matter how much it hurts.

Sherry Holliman is a concerned citizen of Crittenden County and has some views on a variety of topics that she wants to share with her neighbors. She serves on the Marion City Council.