The Primacy of Truth in Human Inquiry

The Primacy of Truth in Human Inquiry

"There is no debate. There should be a search for Truth."

At the core of all philosophical, theological, and existential pursuits lies the search for truth. Debate, while useful for clarifying ideas and perspectives, is not the end goal. The ultimate aim is to arrive at Truth — objective, unchanging, and absolute. Truth stands independent of our perceptions and desires. The pursuit of truth requires humility, open-mindedness, and courage to confront uncomfortable realities. Truth-seeking is not about "winning" an argument but about transcending ignorance and aligning oneself with reality.

The Two Primary Orientations: Believers and Seekers

"There are believers and seekers."

Believers and seekers represent two fundamental orientations of the human soul. Believers adhere to a set of truths they have accepted and internalized, often through revelation, tradition, or personal experience. Seekers, however, are still on the journey of discovery. While these categories are not mutually exclusive (as many believers continue seeking deeper understanding), they highlight the difference between those who feel they have "found" and those who are still "searching." Interestingly, seekers often transition into believers once they encounter compelling evidence or have transformative spiritual experiences. The Christian concept of "seek and you shall find" echoes this dichotomy, encouraging an active pursuit of divine truth.

Atheism and the Subconscious Search for God

"Atheists are here subconsciously or consciously seeking God — else they wouldn't waste their time."

Atheism is often framed as the absence of belief in God, yet its proponents frequently engage in theological discourse. If God is truly non-existent, why engage in debates about His nature, His morality, or His existence? This paradox suggests that, on some level, atheists may be subconsciously searching for God. Perhaps this search is motivated by a deep inner dissonance — a yearning for meaning, justice, or transcendence. While some atheists may claim they are seeking "truth" without God, their fixation on religious matters could be seen as evidence of an unresolved spiritual crisis. The obsession with disproving God may actually be an unspoken acknowledgment of His relevance.

The Commission of Theists: Answering Questions and Providing Hope

"Many theists are here to answer questions and provide hope for seekers. And that is part of their Commission."

Within Christianity, believers are given a "Great Commission" (Matthew 28:19-20) to "make disciples of all nations." This role involves spreading hope, love, and truth to others, especially seekers. In the digital age, many theists engage on social media platforms, discussion forums, and other public venues to provide clarity and guidance for those grappling with spiritual questions. Unlike atheism, which may focus on dismantling belief, theists often aim to build bridges toward hope, faith, and love. Their role is not one of dominance but of service. By engaging in thoughtful discussions and providing hope, theists seek to fulfill a divine calling that goes beyond mere argumentation.

God vs. Religion: The Fundamental Distinction

"God is not religion, yet man supports that belief system through organized religion."

This statement captures a crucial truth often missed in modern discourse. God is not synonymous with religion. Religion is a human institution — a system of beliefs, rituals, and traditions designed to worship and understand the divine. God, however, transcends all systems. While organized religion can serve as a vehicle for worship and knowledge of God, it is not God Himself. Mistaking religion for God leads to disillusionment, especially when human corruption enters religious institutions. Many disavow "organized religion" due to scandals, hypocrisy, or dogmatic rigidity, but God remains untainted by such failings. The realization that God exists outside of religious systems invites individuals to pursue a personal relationship with the divine that is not constrained by man-made frameworks.

Atheism as a Belief System with Its Own "Religion"

"Atheism is not religion, yet man supports that belief system through organized frameworks — leaders, followers, speakers, books, conventions, social media, websites, etc."

Atheism claims to be the "absence of belief in God," but in practice, it often behaves like a belief system. It has its own leaders (e.g., Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris), its own evangelists (via books, YouTube channels, and podcasts), and its own forums for community engagement (conferences, conventions, and social media platforms). Ironically, many atheists mock organized religion while simultaneously participating in a similar "organized disbelief." Atheist conventions, for instance, mirror religious gatherings, with keynote speakers, "testimonies" (personal deconversion stories), and collective affirmation of shared values. This suggests that atheism, while not a "religion" by definition, functions as one sociologically. The very structure of modern atheism echoes the religious forms it seeks to repudiate.

The Ubiquity of Worldviews: No One is Neutral

"All persons possess a worldview. There are often many 'isms' that constitute that worldview."

Every human being possesses a worldview — a comprehensive perspective on reality that influences how they interpret life, morality, purpose, and truth. No one is truly neutral. Whether one identifies as a Christian, atheist, humanist, or naturalist, their thoughts and actions are shaped by underlying beliefs, often referred to as "isms" (e.g., humanism, materialism, scientism, relativism). Worldviews provide coherence to our understanding of existence. Atheism, despite its claims to "non-belief," is itself a worldview rooted in materialism, naturalism, and often scientism. Each person's worldview operates as a lens, filtering information and shaping conclusions. Recognizing this reality is essential in conversations about truth. People do not approach debates as blank slates — they approach them with deep-rooted assumptions that influence what they accept as evidence.

The Path Forward

At the heart of this discussion lies a call to pursue truth with humility and courage. The world is divided into seekers and believers, but both share a common yearning for answers. Theists see themselves as instruments of hope and guidance for seekers, and their role is to walk alongside those on the journey toward truth. Atheists, despite claims of "non-belief," often seek something deeper, as evidenced by their fixation on religious themes. Ultimately, every human operates from a worldview, composed of various "isms" that shape their interpretations and judgments.

The path forward requires recognition that both God and truth transcend human systems, institutions, and ideologies. If we are to discover Truth, we must seek it earnestly and with open minds, not as victors in a debate, but as humble travelers in search of the ultimate reality.

William W. Collins

cr December, 2024