Is Truth Knowable?

[granny7891]

Good stuff, I love the logic. Thanks for posting your stuff for free!

[peterb1968]

I dont think I have heard such bad logic before. Talk about twisting the truth lololol

[winmine0327]

too many jokes not enough discussion

of course skeptics doubt their own methods. would be strange not to.

it's also not a contradiction to say we can't know truth, because that statement is expressing a doubt in our ability to say perfectly true things. a better statement is that we generally can't expect to know the truth because we our language and thoughts are probably not up to the task.

[cryora]

What do Christians say about the notions of other Gods like Allah? Is Allah and the Christian God the same? Are Christians and Muslims the same? If they are the same, then why the separation? If they are not the same, then are there 2 Gods? None? Or one religion is wrong? What about Pagan and polytheistic religions? What about people who believe in the concept of "God" but not the other religions things associated with it, like the holy books, or the will of God?

[MyContext]

There are many claims... If there is no support or there are contradictions to the claim, the claim is at best questionable at worst delusional...

[wiselyfoolish]

haha he funny! He is just being like a lawyer and attacking the words used by others and saying that they don't mean what they were meant to mean.

Once a man dreamt he was a butterfly, a butterfly flitting and fluttering around, happy with himself and doing as he pleased. He didn't know he was the man. Suddenly he woke up and there he was, the solid and unmistakable man. But he didn't know if he was the man who had dreamt he was a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming he was the man.

[hotstixx]

this guy would be laughed out of any proper philisophical forum.all he offers is straw man after straw man.he patronises his audience because his audience are basically uneducated and childlike.old franks "truth" is the only truth..same old fascist origins.

[MoonwalkerWorshiper]

@hotstixx [all he offers is straw man after straw man] He didn't argue against someone, only some claims some people make.

[old franks "truth" is the only truth.]

Did he ever say that?

[same old fascist origins]

If someone maintains truth, does that make him a fascist?

[Goodlife51]

Good stuff...i started tuning in to your show on cable when it came on....i have a Gospel CD out..i even thanked u on the special thanks....Dont worry about the foolish comments....you are annointed,clear,and funny.......may God enlarge ur domain!

[tgz1000]

"You ignorant, arrogant, judgemental Christians, you think you have the truth..." but that's not why people say that about Christians. Having the truth is fine, and there's nothing wrong with saying so. People say that Christians are ignorant, arrogant and judgemental because a lot of them ARE just that.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@tgz1000

Well, if they "ARE" that, then they aren't Christians now are they? It is like me saying I am an athlete when I haven't done one athletic thing in my life.

[fellums]

The only absolute truth is that truth is relative. The fact that truth is relative to the observer has been scientificly proven via the 'Double Slit Test'. Look it up for yourselves if you don't belive me.

[RefinersFire298]

@fellums I know what you mean, but i just gotta say, thats not true for me..

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

No, the only absolute truth is that truth just "is." And your ability to accept what arises at every moment will determine how much peace and joy you feel in your life. Here is an example, what if you thought you were good looking, attractive, and had a nice house, and somebody else comes along and thinks you are ugly, stupid, and a bum. Who's right and who's wrong? Nobody. They are just "thoughts" in the mind that make up the Ego.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

So "absolute truth" is percieving this world without the lens of the Ego, which by the way Jesus's teachings point to and allows to happen if actually "applied" and followed.

[fellums]

@DoNotBeHighandMighty So how can Absolute Truth be relative to the ego? I agree that the ego is a crutch, but nothing is absolute. There are alot of great lessons to be learned from Jesus's teachings...if you really read into them and ignore what Christianity has twisted to give itself more control.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

True, I will explain in my next comments.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

Truth just "is" correct? If you "think" about something that doesn't make it true or untrue. So truth is "lack of thought." It is ____________________________ . It seems to me that the present moment, God, and our true self are one and the same thing. To be one with the moment is to be one with God.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

Truth is the "unconditioned" self. 

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

And any "conditioning" would be "Ego" correct?

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

It seems "the father" as Jesus referred to it as, is conciousness(our true self,) which is "awareness" itself. And any conditioning(believing of something) is "the son." We reincarnate into many different people within our lifetime until we realize that we were "awareness" all along. That unchanging thing. Or "no-thing." We were "the father." "be ye perfect as your father in heaven is perfect."

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

It seems Jesus was living the characteristics of "conciousness" itself. Which is "truth," the unconditioned self.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

Now, when God(us) "thinks and believes in that thought" it "becomes" that which it believes in. Even though it is ultimately an illusion. That would be "the son."

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

So to be constantly "aware" of "awareness" itself, to "be yourself fully" and trust in it, would to be "perfect." You would be living in "truth and in spirit" as Jesus said.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

So when you become "nothing" you also become "everything." Everything and nothing at once. To say "I am God" is meaningless, to experience it, is everything.

And a person may have to believe(with their mind) that there is something more in order to "seek" and undo the "conditioning" of self and free themself. "KNOW the truth and the truth shall set you free." You cannot "know" something unless you "experience" it.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

So it may take you your whole lifetime to figure this out and realize it or it may take a split second.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

But everybody becomes "conditioned" from childhood. Even the "non-believers." In fact, a lot of "non-believers" identify themself with who they "think" they are. LOL. Same with "believers." But if the "believer" does what Jesus says to do they should one day "wake up" from dissolving the conditioning which happens when Jesus's teachings are followed.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

But there is no "believer" or "non-believer(Atheist)" in ____________________ . There just "is." And that isness is nothingness and ultimately fulness. You first have to bring up the question of God to become a "believer" or "non-believer" and get a sense of self out of it. Or "conditioning" if you will. And that goes for anything.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

But this is what Jesus's teaching point to anyways. The truth. The truth that shall set you free. Free from what? Free from illusion. Free from unnecessary suffering. Free from "self(which is ultimately an illusion.)"

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

Because what is "thought" other than "symbols/words" going across the mind? Something that you "learn" and then identify with? Isn't that why Jesus says to become "as a little child?" If you believe you are the thoughts you are as dead as those words floating across your mind.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

And yes, "Christianity(religion)" tends to twist the "truth" around because it is misinterpretted, or people don't actually "read for themselves" and "folllow." There is a reason why Jesus said, "Don't be a hypocrite, decieving yourselves." And "be a doer of the word, not just a hearer." Oh, and don't forget, "SEEK, and you shall find." Not, "read, and you shall know."

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

I also find this funny. Why do people wait until they are dead to experience heaven?

"SEEK FIRST the kingdom of heaven, and all things shall be added unto you."

I am pretty sure Jesus wasn't saying "kill yourself." And you cannot forget, "the kingdom of heaven is within you." What you feel is how you will act. What you think about or "don't think about" will determine what you feel. And how you act will determine you quality of life and where you end up.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

I hope that answers your question.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

So Jesus was "one with God" as he said. "one with Conciousness." "One with awareness." He said, "the father and I are one." But hey, don't take my word for it, read for yourself. He also said, "the son of God does not have a home." Why? Because everywhere is his home. Or another way of saying that is "nowhere is his home." "I am in the world, but not of this world." He is a body, but "awareness" of the body.

[fellums]

@DoNotBeHighandMighty I've read the bible a few times when I was searching for answers, for enlightenment, for meaning ect. For me my "freedom from suffering" (for lack of a better term) came when I stopped looking or "surrendered." But you are a shinning example that all paths do lead to the same destination. I'm in aw of your deep understanding of Jesus's teachings.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

Stop trying to understand. What is there to "seek?" Don't you have everything you need already?  How are you going to be at peace when seeking. To surrender to God is to surrender to the moment. What else is there?

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

It seems that once you go crazy from the contradictions of the bible, it is then time to let it go. LOL. It is a book. Let the book be a book. But hey, it brings a lot of truth.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

"Do not be decieved." How do you know you aren't "decieved into think you aren't decieved?" You cannot rely on anybody else but yourself. How do you know they aren't lying or dreaming?

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

Stop trying to "know" and you will find that you already "know."

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

And never act like you know, it seems the person who thinks they know don't know. LOL. Just accept. Accept you don't know and can't know. Be at peace.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

Enlightenment is a loaded concept. And yes, so is Ego. You are who you are. That doesn't mean go out get hammered and kill yourself. Just "be." Be awareness itself. Enjoy it.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

But you need to "seek(go into the illusion)" to know yourself. God needs to "think" to know it exists. How else could it? If you were always in a state of love or hate neither one would exist for you. You wouldn't "know" either one. 

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@DoNotBeHighandMighty

Because "seeking" after something doesn't bring you what you have already had. Going "deeper" into yourself and becoming more "aware" of your thoughts and ultimately the space in between your thoughts is what brings the realization. Hence the term self realization or enlightenment. So it is "accepting" and then "doing."

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

So you find, everything is God. And you are it. Just as nothing is God, and you are it.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

What happens is God thinks a thought, identifies with the thought, and becomes split in two. The father becomes a son. But the son is ultimately an illusion. And people give this illusion many names. Just as God has many names. But "names" are part of the illusion.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

So it is all God thinking of something. But when God is "thinking" about itself it is still identifying with the son(illusion) and thinking about itself.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

"Thinking" and "experiencing(knowing)" are two very different things.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

So God works through the mind to "think" about things. And that is how it creates. But if you want to experience God itself, then be it. And you are already it. How do you be what you already are? You just have to realize it, or "KNOW" it. Hence, "be still and KNOW that I am God." Not "Be still and 'THINK' that I am God."

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

So lack of conditioning is God. It is God conciousness. Or "Christ" conciousness. It is "be ye perfect as your father in heaven is perfect." And the only way to do that is notice conciousness itself. To undo the conditioning. And it can take a split second or a long time. Depending on how much times your mind wants to try and pull you in and "think" about it. LOL.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

So by being aware of the "space" in between thought, you become the space itself instead of the thoughts. And that is where you will find peace and truth.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

So Jesus was speaking from the perspective of everybodies true identity which is conciousness/awareness/spirit itself. That is why it is the "truth." But to constantly "think" about it won't give you direct experience of it. But it may help you trust in it more. It is a remembering process. When you have a glimpse of freedom from self, you will fall back into the illusion of "self" time and time again. But when you remember to just "be" and to "be aware" you can do it.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

To always "remember" that you are already "fully yourself" and there is nothing you can add onto yourself that will make you "fuller" or more of a human being is what will free your from yourself. That is why St. Paul said, "I die daily." I recommend practicing this every morning. Be concious of thought. But don't identify with the thoughts that come.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

And you may feel uncomfortable doing this at first. And it is uncomfortable. You have to become comfortable with being uncomfortable for a while until your "sense of self" totally dissolves. When what "you THOUGHT you were" your whole life dissolves and you have a feeling of being "lost' it can be scary or unsettling. But something deeper should arise. You will get to a point where you cannot have a sense of self anymore that you identify with. This is freedom.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

The bible can be a guide. Don't focus on the "dogma" but what can actually be "applied." You should watch "laughing buddha." The guy could no longer get his sense of self back.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

So the "seeking" is something that happens until you realize that you have had everything all along. That is part of the "seeking." And you may say to yourself, why did I wait so long to realize this? Well, you had too, otherwise you would have already realized it. ( :

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

And yes, refraining from sins(sense pleasurse) can be helpful as well. You won't be stuck in the highs and lows of lower awareness. You have to kill yourself(not in the literal sense) and something greater arises. The bible says, "refrain from sins and you will be given the crown of life."

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

You may even start finding "Alan Watts" interesting and stuff. But that is only entertainment. The "mind" wanting to be entertained. "Thinking" about it isn't it. It is a process. And it takes time to master. That is basically what it is. Mastering the self. Mastering your true self and then being able to play with form. Life becomes much more enjoyable. ( :

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

You could even say this "lack of self(total surrender)" is "the glory of God." "Many fall short of the glory of God." And they become "non-believers(Atheists)" which is funny. Because it is the "illusion" but on the opposite end of it. LOL. Because there is neither "belief" or "non-belief" in the state of "knowing/experiencing."

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

Becoming an Atheist is another mind created "sense of self." That the mind identifies with.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

So it is like "giving up your own mind" for the "mind of God." Going from "beliefs" to "knowings." That is why a lot of intellectuals don't get it. They are very egotistical and think of themself as the "oxford professor ect.." They have this "sense of self." That is also why they are so angy and pissed at everything. Everything is always going wrong for them LOL. Because "THEY KNOW" in their own mind.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

Because as I said, "The thought I AM GOD" and the experience of "God" are two very different things. And that is what Atheists tend to do is have the "thought" but not the experience. So it is only a "belief" for them. Just as the person who considers themself a "believer" they confuse being "meek" with being "corny and pathetic." And saying oh no, don't do this or that, it is evil. Well Jesus said, "Do not resist evil." Evil within the self. Accept it fully. Feel it.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

And by accepting the negativity(evil) within the self and feeling it fully it will dissolve over time.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

"Be still and know that I am God."  Very good statement.

"As you THINK, so shall you be." Another good statement.

Jesus was a genius.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

Jesus was a Genius, as we all have the capablitiy of being.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

"Die before you die and become born again."  Destroy your "sense of self" and become "awareness itself." Become "truth."

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

"Do not point out the speck in your neighbors eye when you have a log in your own, first, remove the log from your own eye, and then help remove the speck from your neighbors eye." If you have a "sense of self(living in delusion)(are a hypocrite)" first find truth(experience it) and then help others see the truth.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

I mean, you wouldn't want to be "the blind leading the blind" now would you?

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

So truth is a "realization." Not really an "achievement."

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

How long you fight with yourself trying to figure out that this is the truth is up to you and your own ability to accept. Notice "fight with yourself." LOL. Many people have conversations with themself in their heads. Which one is real? The thought? Or that which is thinking the thought? Why not drop all thoughts and accept? It is so simple the mind cannot comprehend it. ( :

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

You may not be able to "stop thinking" but you can sure "pay attention to the spaces in between thought." And the spaces can grow. You can then be grounded in the moment(reality.) You can be one with what is(God.) You will be fully accepting reality instead of fighting against it and suffering.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

I also like when the bible says "self-control is Godliness."

Become one with God(awareness itself) and all things will fall into place.

Why struggle? Of course if you "believe" you are your thoughts and beliefs(the conditioning) you will never realize "the truth." Unless you keep making the concious decision to be "concious(aware)" of "awareness itself" which can only be done when you pay attention to the spaces in between thought.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

You cannot keep "identifying" with the thoughts(symbols) going across your mind and constantly be trying to define/interpret the thoughts and be at peace.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

It is "the peace that passeth all understanding." Why does it pass all understanding? Because when you try to understand it you "think" and there is no longer peace. It is beyond mind, before mind. It is what you are.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

So your ability to be "one with yourelf" and be comfortable with it will determine your clarity of mind. "Will worry add another minute onto your life?" I love that quote from Jesus. "Don't worry about the morrow, for the morrow will have it's own worries." Another great one. Call it Zen Buddhism, call it Christianity, call it God. Call it what you want it doesn't change what it is. It just is ______________________ .

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

So it is like being a catapillar(identifying with thought/mind) and then seeking/suffering/applying wisdom and then turning into a butterfly(becoming free.) 

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

@fellums

And you can call this freedom "salvation." Free from self. Knowing truth. Being able to be satisfied at all times. Even in the midst of suffering. Knowing the right thing to do at all times because you can see clearly. Having faith in your true nature and trusting it.

[ThriceBlessed2]

Awesome!

[cjunk351]

HUH. "You cant know wha is not true unless you know what is true"???? thats is easily demonstrated to be false.

[cjunk351]

lol. i am atheist and I hold to absolute truth. I think most atheist do. relativism is more a product of liberal christianity. He should write a book like "I dont have enough faith to be a moderate christian".

Christianity is false for all people at all times.

[TurekVideo]

Hi Owheydusoapsk,

Is the claim "these are semantic claims" just a semantic claim?

[owheydusoapsk]

Why do you ask? I don't feel like playing word games. Do you beleive the comments made in this video prove that absolute truth exist?

[owheydusoapsk]

More importantly, what lesson would you have the audience take away from your discussion on absolute truth in relation to the existence of the Christian God?

[owheydusoapsk]

(If you hit the reply button next to the comment you want to reply to, that person will be alerted by email you have responded. I just happened to ck back, that's how I found your comment to me).

[TurekVideo]

The lesson is that the postmodern/relativistic view is false. This doesn't prove the Christian God. It merely acknowledges that it could be true that the Christian God exists. In other words, absolute or objective truth is a necessary but not sufficient condition for Christianity to be true. The book "I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist" carries the argument further to the Christian God.

[owheydusoapsk]

Strikes me as a very honest answer, thank you. Did I hear you debate Richard Carrier?

[TurekVideo]

Your claim was: "These are semantic games. "Truth" is demonstrably relative."

My response is: "Is your claim a "semantic game?" Is your claim relative?" No, your are making an absolute truth claim in declaring that all truth is relative. That defeats itself.

[owheydusoapsk]

Sorry for splitting hairs but you didn't ask if my claim was a "semantic game", you asked if it was a "semantic claim". We'd have to agree on exactly is meant by "relative" and "absolute" truths before going further. And I don't defend postmodern/relatvism. My criticism is that your argument builds from some false premises, (game playing). For instance: cold IS relative. When I walk into my 80 yr old mothers house, it is hot and the TV is too loud, imo. But not so for her.

[owheydusoapsk]

And that your misleading about the importance that a language trap, (self-refuting claim concerning truth), really has in the real world. Language doesn't determine reality, it tries to describe it.

[TheEdge012]

Frank...I had seen some of your stuff before on Randall Niles channel. Glad to see you have a channel now. I will be checking out anything and everything of yours I can get my hands on and likely put this video on my main page. Keep up the good work!

[TurekVideo]

Thanks TheEdge012! Appreciate you putting the video up.

[owheydusoapsk]

He can insist forceably that all truth is absolute or that absolute truth exists. He can employ that it is a self-refuting claim that absolute truth doesn't exist. These are semantic games. "Truth" is demonstrably relative.

[TheEdge012]

Please demonstrate.

[owheydusoapsk]

You got me. It's simply my opinion.