Can we all be correct? Part I

Are we absolutely sure that there are no absolutes? Is there such a thing as absolute truth?

The belief that there is no absolute truth is known as relativism. It says that everything is…relative.

That’s why people say ‘truth is subjective’ and is dependent upon one’s culture and upbringing. And the same people will advocate that it is narrow-minded to claim that something is an absolute truth.

I believe relativism works when we deal with tastes and preferences. I love white chocolate and my wife loves dark chocolate. This is not an absolute truth about chocolate it is just something about our taste. However, opinions or preferences are different than facts.

‘Contradictory facts cannot be equally valid’, someone said. To claim that every view or viewpoint about specific undeniable facts has the same merit is illogical.

I am sure we can all agree about absolute truths in the physical realm. We cannot say that breathing oxygen works for some people but breathing sulphur works for other people if they choose the ‘sulphur path.’ Very clearly— breathing oxygen is an absolute truth.

Likewise, if you do not believe in the law of gravity, the law of gravity still exists and works. One can discover it when walking off a 8-story building. That person will not break the law of gravity— he will just prove it!

In the physical world one can see plenty of absolute truths. You do not have to be a genius to realise that. However, are there absolute truths in the spiritual realm?

Yes, there are. For example, either God exists, or does not exist. Whether something or someone exists is an absolute truth. Me and you cannot exist to someone and not to others. Both sides cannot be true.

Even those who believe in relativism believe relativism is an absolute truth. The people who believe relativism applies for the spiritual realm accept their belief as an absolute truth. Relativism proposes its own absolute truth— that there are no absolutes. Crazy!