What is truth?

Our University seal says, “Lux et Veritas,” “Light and Truth”. A Roman procurator of a backwater conquest once spoke the revealing question, “What is truth?”

There are many versions of what some insist is truth. Some “truth” relies more on preference, opinion or belief. Some think religion is one of those areas where all can be equally “true” regardless of doctrine. They often indicate contradictory conclusions about life, so they can’t all be correct.

A tobacco commercial insisted “you know a million people can’t be wrong.” A million, or more, can be wrong. Great numbers of adherents aren’t sufficient to prove a valid conclusion. Philosophies and religions aren’t equal, so we must compare them on their claims and the results from the application of their philosophies.

The Japanese widely abandoned Emperor/God worship following World War II when they saw the success of the Christian nations.

Governments founded on atheistic beliefs deliver overbearing poverty, classism, slavery, incarceration, torture and state sponsored murder.

The “criminals” oppressed by these regimes are guilty of exercising freedoms we demand. The “crime” is the public and private expression of religion.

Estimates exceed 170 million people over the past century, murdered by governments stamping out Christian beliefs.

Why do governments do this? It undermines dictatorships.

Freedom and liberty are ingrained in Christianity. Christianity is public enemy No. 1.
What beliefs provide the best societies?

The 1787 Northwest Ordinance, a progenitor of the Indiana Constitution, Article 3 reads, “Religion, Morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, Schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.” 

Liberty and freedom require consistent teaching of religion, morality and knowledge. Being well-educated is important, but it’s not the most critical. If you get them out of order or leave one out, you provide a weak government and eliminate opportunities for happiness.

Central to the seal is the image of an open Bible. IU founders venerated the Bible and began IU as a seminary.

Our founders knew truth and what it would provide when given as proscribed. When we promote general knowledge without specific religious and moral training, we allow loss of liberty and freedom.

David House
IU employee