We’ve been talking about the idea of truth in today’s society. Nearly 2/3 of Americans say there is no such thing as absolute truth, and 57% of church youth agree. Yikes! Truth is seen in other areas, just not in morality or religion. In past blog posts I discussed the difference between absolute/objective truth and relative/subjective truth, how we got such an increase in relativism, and one problem with relativism (it is self-defeating). This time let’s get into some other problems with relativism.

For one thing, it’s a lazy way to avoid thinking about religious and moral issues. When somebody says, “that’s just your truth,” that means he or she does not have to take you seriously and listen to your argument. Another relativist may say, “all religions are the same,” but again he/she has not really taken a look at religions. They differ greatly when it comes to the idea of who God is, what the human race is, the problem of humanity, how we solve the problem, what happens to us after this life,… Again, this is a lazy way to avoid considering what each religion believes and why it believes that.

Another huge problem with relativism is that nobody can live out this idea. We all commit to a view, and we believe our view is superior. For example, consider Nazi Germany. Who in their right mind today would suggest that the morality espoused by the leaders in the 1930s is no better or no worse than any other morality? Someone who is a feminist beliefs that position is superior to a patriarchal way of running a society. A person sensitive to racism believes it is far better to show kindness and respect to all races than to believe one is superior to the others. We are built to have these innate moral thoughts.

Finally another problem with relativism is the way it leads to the new idea of tolerance, which says all truths are equally valid. This shuts down discussion immediately, leads to political correctness, allows the introduction of twisted ideas to become mainstream, and, strangely enough, leads to intolerance. If you disagree with a “tolerant” person, he/she will not try to argue with you. Instead, you will be seen as dangerous, intolerant (get the irony?), narrow-minded, . . .

Next time let’s take a look at challenges raised by relativists and answers to these challenges.