| Revision as of 12:37, 18 September 2002 editTwilsonb (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers2,564 edits Created article | Revision as of 12:46, 18 September 2002 edit undoKhendon (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users1,712 editsm oberved -> observedNext edit → | ||
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| These beings are seen as imperfect, with incomplete knowledge, and the potential to decieve humanity. Adherents of these religions generally recognise this as the ultimate truth, but find themselves without a reliable source for it. They aim to serve one of these beings, hoping that this being will give them what they want, and prove stronger than other such gods. (... Help needed here - is this even remotely correct?...) | These beings are seen as imperfect, with incomplete knowledge, and the potential to decieve humanity. Adherents of these religions generally recognise this as the ultimate truth, but find themselves without a reliable source for it. They aim to serve one of these beings, hoping that this being will give them what they want, and prove stronger than other such gods. (... Help needed here - is this even remotely correct?...) | ||
| Other forms of truth, which are not necessarily incompatible with revealed truth, are ], ], and ] (often called a ]). | Other forms of truth, which are not necessarily incompatible with revealed truth, are ], ], and ] (often called a ]). | ||
Revision as of 12:46, 18 September 2002
Revealed truth
Revealed truths are a category of truth claims distinguished by their mode of discovery. Revealed truths are given or shown to humanity by higher being(s). These being(s) are often seen as more objective and more knowledgeable than humans themselves (otherwise there would be no reason to believe what they told you).
Sources of revealed truth
These being(s) are often referred to as God or gods. Those people who believe in a single, ultimate, infinite source of being in the universe (see monotheism) generally ascribe to this being the qualities of truthfulness, omnipresence (all-seeing), and omniscience (all-knowing). These three qualities lead people to believe that this being is a reliable source of knowledge about the universe, which humanity may not otherwise be able to obtain (see Science).
Certain monotheistic religions, notably Christianity, Islam and Judaism, add a fourth quality to God, that of being personally interested in the life of every human being. Notably, Christianity states that God cared enough about humanity, and revealing the truth to us, that he became human (see Jesus) in order to show us the truth.
Those people who do not see the ultimate being as communicating personally with humanity may believe that the truth is revealed through many higher beings, none of whom are ultimate (see polytheism).
These beings are seen as imperfect, with incomplete knowledge, and the potential to decieve humanity. Adherents of these religions generally recognise this as the ultimate truth, but find themselves without a reliable source for it. They aim to serve one of these beings, hoping that this being will give them what they want, and prove stronger than other such gods. (... Help needed here - is this even remotely correct?...)
Other forms of truth, which are not necessarily incompatible with revealed truth, are observed truth, reasoned truth, and intuitive truth (often called a conscience).