Another Inconvenient Truth

Observing a recent 2008 Presidential debate for the Republicans, I was intrigued (and maybe just a bit perturbed) by one question asked by a “citizen” regarding the candidate’s belief in the Bible.

Watching these things, I typically put myself in the position of how I might answer some of the more unusual, unique or thoughtful questions.

Let me qualify this writing by saying that the question I refer to above was part of a typical main-stream media ambush with a clear agenda aimed at Conservatives, which seeks to trip them up over their own convictions. Dems would never be asked the same thing.

So the question was, “Do you (candidate) believe that every word in the Bible is true?”

I really started thinking about what my own answer would be to this question. I wanted to state it here for the record. Of course, I have the luxury of having the time to think about my answer; something they did not.

Here’s my answer: The Bible is Truth. It is a collection of stories, parables, opinions, observations and historical events. So only a portion of it is fact. Fictional events and characters are sprinkled throughout. And yet, taken as the whole, it is Truth.

A handbook for our temporal lives. A guidebook to eternal life. Truth as in certainty. Truth as in sincerity. Truth as in integrity. Not all words factual. The sum is all that matters.

Maybe the question should be posed to a Dem. They might use a response that they have frequently relied on in the past; “Well... define Truth.” In this rare exception, that response is entirely appropriate. The answer might be “inconvenient”.