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Dogma pretends to be truth whereas truth is based on empirical evidence. The basis of dogma can be authoritative power or it can simply be an opinion or a belief, which is strictly subjective, thus lacking ample evidence for its support. Essentially, dogma could be considered the lazy person's truth. The sun setting in the west is not an opinion, but is based on evidence whereas a statement about the weather feeling nice is based on a person's opinion. A need for evidence is at the core of truth. In a trial, truth matters because the accused person is considered innocent or guilty based solely on evidence. In a dogmatic world, guilt or innocence would be determined by whether the individual on trial looked innocent or guilty, which would be solely subjective, an opinion and nothing more.
Dogma, an essential element of organized religion, creates the boundary lines, which make Religion "A" different from Religion "B." Organized religion is all about remaining within their boundaries and adhering to the religious tenets of their particular religion.
The full spectrum of people in the world of politics-communists, fascists, liberals and conservatives-all have their dogmas. Regardless of political party, politicians are notorious for being dogma junkies rather than being public servants. After all, the truth might get in the way of a particular agenda. When truth plays second fiddle to gaining and holding on to power, our Constitution-the rule of law-is ignored.
Seekers of truth often walk down Robert Frost's lonely "road less traveled." President John F. Kennedy's book Profiles In Courage offers numerous stories of people who were seekers of truth, which unfortunately is not usually beneficial for a person's career or reputation at the time.
Truth is a topic often addressed in literature, whether in the Bible or in a Shakespearean play. The Old Testament is filled with stories of the prophets. God's mission for them was to speak the truth, which typically made their listeners uncomfortable or angry. "...and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." New American Standard Bible, John 8:32. In Hamlet, Act 1, Scene III, Polonius states: "This above all: to thine own self be true / And it must follow, as the night the day / Thou canst not then be false to any man / Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!" The idiom "the truth will out" comes from Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. For thousands of years, philosophers and writers have been intrigued by the meaning of truth.
There are those who close their eyes to truth or seek shelter in dogma; however, the journey to search for truth is very similar to a hike in a mountain range, which at first glance appears to lack the depth that is ever present. The three-dimensional nature of a mountain range becomes clearly apparent with each footstep as the ridgelines come into focus. The mountains are no longer like a photograph. A change in perspective comes with movement, and with each footstep discovery occurs, thus allowing the seeker to see even the pebbles in a mountain ridge line.
Truth is not for a lazy patriot who waves the flag and rattles on about freedom, forgetting about the balancing act between a citizen's rights and responsibilities. The search for truth, the genuine article, can be a long and arduous journey, but one well worth the personal investment. Yes, "the truth will set you free."
