Relativism
is "the philosophical position that all points of view are equally valid,
and that all truth is relative to the individual," according to CARM, the
Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry.
Today, relativism has become a sort of Religion of Tolerance and is
applauded as a pinnacle of kindness and justice. While Christianity is the main group that
appears to be suffering from it, everyone is at risk from this infectious
system.
There are
three different types of relativism, according to CARM. Cognitive relativism is when no truth is more
valid than another and there is no objective standard of truth. Moral/Ethical relativism is when any and all
morals are relative to the group within which they are created. Situational relativism occurs when ethics, or
notions of right and wrong, are dependent upon the situation.
The first
proof of why relativism is not only wrong but completely illogical is that the statement,
"there is no such thing as absolute truth," refutes itself. If that simple sentence were in fact true, it
would have just proven itself wrong because that statement in itself would have
to be a truth.
Another common
declaration for advancing the Age of Tolerance is, "well, that's true for
you, but not true for me." The
statement is lacking in logic. In a very
basic example, two plus two equals five.
My mom told me this and I believe it with all my heart and so that makes
it true. Would people say, "Yeah,
that's cool, you can believe what you want"? I'm inclined to think that they would correct
me. No one who has ever passed an
elementary math course would let me go around saying that two plus two equals
five. Because it doesn't.
The word
"tolerance" has been twisted and contorted to the point where it
simply means nothing's wrong and everything's right and if you disagree, you're
intolerant. According to
RealLifeCatholic.com, in a blog post by popular youth speaker Chris Stefanick,
"a disagreement needs to occur for tolerance to even be possible. You
don’t tolerate a beautiful sunny day. You tolerate a cold rainy day." Disagreement does not mean there is intolerance;
it simply means that the person disagrees.
I don't like cold, rainy days, but I deal with them. Acknowledging that there is a difference is
the first step toward tolerance.
But what
can be done if we stop saying that everyone is okay just believing what he or
she wants to believe? The first thing to
realize is that there has to be absolute truth.
Logically, absolute truth cannot not exist. Then, one must work to find that truth,
keeping in mind that, while truth exists, some will not come to accept it. Thus, the person seeking truth must always
exercise patience.
Why is this
important for people of all faiths? Every
human heart, whether they know it or not, searches for truth. To not actively seek out complete truth and
then give it to others is an injustice to all.
Go check out CARM.org for more arguments against relativism!
Sources: RealLifeCatholic.com
Please watch this video for more information about Relativism. It is a presentation by Chris Stefanick based on his book: Absolute Relativism.
A really good post, Emme! Relativism is such a common term nowadays but not many people seem to know what it actually is. I liked your argument on "there is no such thing as an absolute truth." Nice job!
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