A Layman’s Thoughts

Someone asked me the other day what I meant in the Theology section of my Welcome post where I said, “I believe in absolute Truth, which means that some things are actually true for all people at all times no matter what they think. This leads to my belief that people are responsible for their actions.” They wondered about the connection between absolute Truth and personal responsibility. On re-reading what I wrote, I can see that I expected a fairly significant mental leap there, so here is a brief explanation.

Absolute Truth (I capitalize “Truth” when I refer to it in this sense) is the idea that there are some things that are True for all people at all times, no matter what those people think.

For example, the overwhelming majority of people would agree that genocide is never OK, never excusable, never to be tolerated at any time for anyone, no matter what the circumstances. A similar number of folks would say the same about rape, child molestation, etc.

Since these behaviors are Wrong in an absolute sense, persons who engage in them may not be excused or judged not guilty because of “a difficult childhood” or “a drug problem”, or whatever.

The same principal shown here writ large is applicable to each individual.  Right and wrong actually exist.  There is a moral standard to which we each must be reconciled.

We as individuals are responsible for what we do. The tendency to blame, circumstances, upbringing, pain, or someone else for our behavior is one we need to resist aggressively. It’s part of growing up; and it’s Right.

–Larry