Jesus is asked “What is Truth?

We easily say “The Truth Will Set You Free” but forget to mention the truth often hurts. Nature has different ways of dealing with hurt. Most plants just take the damage done to them, try to correct it, and if they cannot, die. Some animals suffer hurt alone while others seek the comfort of others. It is said that if a goose in formation is injured another goose stays with the injured until it recuperates and can rejoin the group. A mother bear will defend her injured cub with her life. Nature and creatures or humans can be hurt by nature, creatures or humans. But only humans can be hurt by truth. When humans are hurt by truth some avoid facing the truth, some run from it, while others react to it and seek revenge on the messenger to avoid the message.

Martin Luther King Jr, Gandhi, and other persons of nonviolence said speak “truth to power”. Although they believed the truth will set us free, they knew all too well that the consequences of speaking truth often meant hurt and suffering. Most of us do not have the courage of these persons to speak truth to power when we know it will hurt. We run from the truth, or more frequently, keep busy and just do not face it.

Recently I wrote a rough draft of an essay called: “To Make Peace, Stop Teaching War in Schools. I tried to make the essay as factual, researched, honest and detailed as possible. I even added footnotes to some facts and statements made in the essay. I asked a number of friends to read the draft and give me some feedback. Most did not respond. One friend, however, wrote me with some concrete suggestions to improve the essay. Another good friend wrote me with a brief summery of the main point of the essay not mentioning the details, persons and events that give flesh and bones to the essay. I thanked both friends for their suggestions. The first friend I thanked for editing and corrections made to the essay. The second friend I thanked for the brief summary and said I would use it but it was in the details, the facts and experiences, that the truth of what the essay was saying would be felt. I said how we had summarized the message before but how it was ignored. This essay, while perhaps too long, by giving facts and details might be hurtful to others and me by giving the truth as much flesh and bones as possible, the message could be made real.

I tend to use too many words but in this case I felt the details, research and facts were necessary. I realize what I say or write is only the truth as I see it. However, what other truth can I speak of? If it hurts others to face the truth or it hurts me, so be it. The truth will set us free.

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