WHAT IS TRUTH?

                                                                  Image on Freepik

Late last month I went to see a senior Lawyer at Mombasa Trade Centre who was to assign me some work. He called his clerk and sent him to get me a file I would work on. He was immediately rang by a client, and while he conversed with the client, I was able to have a glance of the cityscape. The cityscape unfolded like a vibrant tapestry, a mesmerizing blend of new age and old age.

But most importantly, this is what caught my attention and I thought about and finally made it a subject of this piece. Within a radius of about one kilometer there was a mosque, a Catholic Church, an Anglican Church, Protestant Church, an Indian Temple and Freemason Temple.

If there is a defining trait about the five institutions above, is the proposition that each claims to know what is true, and its adherents live and follow the truth. Not their truth but the truth. Truth as it obtains in the world. But what is truth?

An interesting question again is, what social aspect makes it possible for these Five (5) contrasting truths to co-exist in a tiny island like Mombasa?

Jews took Jesus to Pilate, and Pilate asks, ‘What charges are you bringing against this man?’ They said, “He is lying about God (blaspheming)’. Pilate asks Jesus, ‘is it so?’ The son of Mary replies, ‘I am a witness of truth’. To which Pilate asks, ‘WHAT IS TRUTH?’

Yes, what is truth?

Fueled by the embers of an unyielding conviction, a band of twelve embarked on a dauntless odyssey. Armed with the incandescent truth of salvation, they crisscrossed the parched mosaics of the Middle East and the verdant expanse of Europe. Their voices, echoing with unwavering resolve, proclaimed the singular truth of Jesus, a truth they believed held the key to eternal redemption.

With hands dipped in sacred water, they baptized converts, weaving a nascent tapestry of faith. Each soul they touched became a beacon, reflecting the light of their conviction further into the unknown. They were trailblazers, carving a path through the wilderness of doubt, their unwavering belief their compass and their message their fire.

The embers of Christianity, fanned by the disciples’ fervor, began to flicker across Europe. Soon, or perhaps over generations, the faith gained a foothold, eventually taking root as the dominant religion. Emperor Constantine, swayed by the growing influence and potential for unity, converted and declared Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. This decision established the Catholic Church as the state church, imbuing it with immense power and influence.

However, the path to dominance was not without thorns. Dissenters who challenged the papal interpretation of Jesus’ teachings faced persecution and marginalization. Society, especially women, often found themselves navigating a landscape shaped by interpretations of God’s will that emphasized obedience and submission.

This new order did not shy away from silencing opposing voices. Those deemed to stray from the “truth of Jesus,” as defined by the established authority, often faced harsh consequences. This period saw the rise of dogmatic thinking, where the truth of Jesus was proclaimed as the sole absolute, leaving little room for other interpretations or perspectives.

As the embers of one “truth” – the teachings of Jesus – ignited Europe, whispers of another truth arose from the sands of the Middle East. Islam, a faith vibrant as the desert sunset, swept across the region, its message resonating with many. Just as the Christian truth had consumed “pagan” worship in Europe, Islam, too, challenged established belief systems. It carved its path, establishing itself as the dominant faith in the Middle East, yet not without its thorns.

Those who dared to dissent from the tenets of Islam, much like their counterparts in Europe, faced persecution and the stark choice of conversion or exile. Anything deemed to defy the Islamic truth was met with disdain and, at times, violence. This dogmatic adherence mirrored the rise of Christian absolutism, leaving little space for alternative interpretations or expressions of faith.

Across continents, two flames ignited – the fiery truth of Jesus, and the radiant truth of Muhammad. Both cast long shadows, each claiming the holy city of Jerusalem as their rightful home. Europe, under the Pope’s iron fist, and the Arab world, united by the crescent moon, saw their faiths not just as guiding lights, but as ironclad demands. Crusaders and Mujahedeen clashed, their swords singing a grim symphony of “truth” against “truth.”

Carl Sagan, a cosmic witness to these battles, gazed upon our blue marble from afar. In the grand scheme of things, Earth was a mere speck, yet it held the weight of countless conflicts, fueled by the “truths” we hold so dear. He saw the rivers of blood spilled by those who sought dominance, their triumphs fleeting echoes in the grand scheme of existence.

Our posturing, our inflated sense of self-importance, our delusions of cosmic significance – all shattered against the backdrop of that pale blue dot. We are but a fragile mote of dust, suspended in the vast nothingness, with no guarantee of salvation from our own destructive tendencies.

Amidst the clashing swords and burning pyres, the blood shed for “truth” begs the question: what is truth, truly? Is it a rigid doctrine, fueling division and bloodshed? Or could it be something broader, a universal yearning for meaning, connection, and understanding, transcending the confines of any single creed?

Crusaders, fueled by the fervor of their faith, and Mujahedeen, emboldened by their convictions, clashed in a symphony of steel and fire. Each strike, each life extinguished, was a desperate attempt to validate their version of truth, leaving behind a desolate landscape of shattered dreams and fractured lives.

Pilate’s question, echoing through the ages, hung heavy – “What is truth?” A simple query that resonated with the thunderous silence of unanswered generations. Had this question been embraced, pondered thoughtfully, perhaps the crimson tide of the Crusades wouldn’t have stained the sands of history.

CHALLENGING TRUTH OF UHOLY UNION OF CHURCH AND STATE

The echoes of steel against steel faded, the Crusades a bitter memory etched on the sands of time. Yet, the flames of conviction still burned bright within both camps, each clinging fiercely to their version of truth.

But within Europe, a flicker of dissent began to stir. The iron grip of the Papacy, once unquestioned, started to feel like shackles. Voices rose, questioning the unholy alliance between Church and State. The oppressive rule of the Papacy, they argued, had strayed far from the teachings of Jesus, embracing brutal power and exploiting the sacred through the sale of indulgences.

Martin Luther emerged as a beacon of this dissent, his 95 theses a searing indictment against the Church’s monopoly on truth. He wasn’t alone. Whispers of rebellion had already echoed through the centuries, with names like Jerome and Wycliffe, silenced as heretics by the Church’s fiery judgment.

The Reformation finally splintered the monolithic Church, allowing people to explore their own spiritual landscapes. University halls became breeding grounds for new ideas, where individual autonomy, freedom of expression, and the pursuit of knowledge thrived. The Church’s hold on absolute truth weakened, and the separation of Church and State became a cornerstone principle.

Philosophers like Jeremy Bentham, John Locke, and Thomas Hobbes emerged, their ideas reshaping the European landscape. The absolute authority of the state was challenged by the separation of powers, paving the way for a more balanced and just society.

Liberalism, a philosophy that championed individual liberty and freedoms, took center stage. People were no longer chained to a singular truth dictated by the Church. They could now seek truth through reason and scientific inquiry, with conscience and reason acting as the guiding lights. The age of blind faith gradually gave way to an era of exploration and intellectual pursuit.

The scars of religious conflict remained, but the pyres of persecution no longer consumed those deemed heretics or apostates. In their place arose a society grappling with the complex questions of faith and truth, seeking answers not just in scripture, but in the vast realms of reason and the natural world. The age of absolute truth had fractured, giving rise to a mosaic of individual beliefs, paving the way for a future where differences could be acknowledged and respected.

LOST CHANCE IN THE ARAB WORLD

However, a different story unfolded in the Arab world. The “truth of Islam” remained unchallenged, its grip unwavering. Dissenters were silenced, some forced to flee their homes, their voices lost echoes in the desert sands. This truth remained hostile not only to the waning “truth of Jesus” but also to the burgeoning liberal ideals blossoming in Europe.

This failure to embrace internal reform would come at a hefty price. Women, particularly, bore the weight of this singular truth. Denied the liberties enjoyed by their European counterparts, they were forced to navigate a world shaped by interpretations that often prioritized obedience and submission. Doubts or deviations were met with harsh consequences, ranging from imprisonment to exile or even death.

The unholy alliance between religion and state remained firmly entrenched, casting a long shadow over the pursuit of knowledge. Questioning established beliefs was deemed dangerous, stifling the very spark of intellectual curiosity that had ignited Europe’s transformation.

Yet, a critical question lingered – the question that echoed through the ages: “By what metric do you know what is truth?” The answer, for many, remained rooted in ancient texts, interpreted through the lens of the past. However, a seed of hope remained.

Could the winds of change, now gathering momentum across the globe, eventually reach the shores of the Arab world? Could the rigid grip of dogma loosen, allowing for a pursuit of truth that embraces both faith and reason, tradition and evolution? Could scientific inquiry and critical thinking be welcomed into the dialogue, shaping a future where diverse perspectives are not only tolerated but celebrated?

Only time will tell if the Arab world will embark on its own journey of reformation, one that heals the wounds of dogmatic truth and paves the way for a future where diverse voices and perspectives can flourish. This path, if embraced, holds the potential to unlock a new era of intellectual and social progress, not unlike the one that transformed Europe centuries ago. However, the road will be arduous, requiring a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths, embrace open dialogue, and forge a path towards a future where reason and faith can coexist in a state of mutual respect and understanding.

WHERE DO WE STAND TODAY

However as strange as history can be, the Western world of the 21^st century seems to be in a hurry to slide back to the old and oppressive dogmatic ‘truths’. This time not in the name of Jesus but in the name of vilifying the trailblazers of liberalism. The names come in different flavors but both seek the same goal, the destruction of Western hegemony. The far leftist ideology that has ravaged Western institutions is just another version of intolerance and dogmatism like Islamism and ancient Europe under the papacy.

The liberties won by blood and sweat by first feminists are being made a mockery by ideologues who are challenging the concept and existence of women. This makes a farce in the fight to achieve the rights of women. Men by hiding behind the identity of ‘trans’ want to be treated as women, they want to be incarcerated in women’s prisons. They are usurping the hard-fought rights and privileges of women. Malicious adults hiding in the name of ‘minor-attracted persons’ are preying on children to sexually abuse them.

Honestly, these are pedophiles. These far-left identities are hostile to free debate and freedom of speech which contrasts their new-age religion of identity. People who question them are physically attacked and canceled. These groups are attacking the institutions of science and reason by claiming that these institutions perpetrate ‘white supremacism’. These far-left groups are corrupting the minds of children by subjecting them to gender reassigning surgery and drugs, despite evidence to the effect that, most teenagers who undergo such processes get more suffering later on.

It is not just far-left ideologues that are threatening Western values that were fought for very hard, but they have united their forces with Islamists. Immigrants from the Arab world to the West are openly attacking people in the name of Allah. And, the far left in their confusion protects them. This will surely come back to bite them very hard.

The far-left ideologue’s sole reason for supporting violent Islamism is their shared hatred for the values and institutions that liberated them from the fangs of the church united with the state. Do they learn anything from history? The peaceful co-existence of diverse ‘truths’ in the secular West and even in Africa is being threatened by Islamists and far-left ideologues who do not accept the concepts of debate, reason, tolerance, democracy, and incidental values.

There have been extremist attacks in Nigeria, Northern and Central Kenya, Sudan, and many parts of the West, to name but a few. The cultural wars as they are currently called, are becoming very polarized. Soon the world might sink into a bloody ‘war of truths’.

As I look at the beautiful island of Mombasa, which is so rich in cultural diversity, I hope that the dogmatic intensity developing in the Western world and the dogmatic rule of the Arab world will not reach here and disturb the peace. There have been a few extremist individuals who have tried to forcefully plant one ‘truth’ but the close-knit of this island’s people surpasses seeds of intolerance. It is a tolerance that has a long history, including but not limited to, when the Sultan that ruled Mombasa Island permitted Missionary Ludwig Krapf to teach his version of truth on the East African Coast.  We can all co-exist even without absolute answers as to what is truth.

WHERE TO FROM HERE?

We may struggle to grasp a singular, absolute truth, yet a common thread weaves through humanity: the inherent desire to flourish. The fall of the Soviet Union echoed with a hopeful resonance, a shared vision of everlasting peace built upon the pillars of reason, science, and democratic ideals. It painted a picture of a just, equitable, and civilized world, where even amidst the elusive nature of absolute truth, individuals were guided by genuine intentions to ensure the well-being and prosperity of others.

But alas, humanity possesses a peculiar talent for amnesia. We teeter on the precipice of progress, only to falter back into the chasm of division. The acrid tang of discord hangs heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the looming “culture wars” threatening to engulf us. Each side clings fiercely to their own truth, wielding it as a weapon in a holy war of narratives.

The path ahead may be arduous, but the potential for a flourishing future beckons. Let us not succumb to the allure of division, but instead, climb together, guided by the light of reason, science, and epistemic humility. Only then can we build a world where, even in the absence of absolute certainty, we strive towards the well-being and flourishing of all.

MY BELOVED HAFSWA

As the sun begins its descent, painting the sky in hues of amber and rose, my heart beats a joyful rhythm in anticipation. Tonight, I have the privilege of sharing a meal with Hafswa, my Yemeni sweetheart, a woman whose beauty transcends mere mortal definition. Her smile holds the warmth of the desert sun, her eyes sparkle with the wisdom of ancient stories, and her laughter is a melody sweeter than any lute song.

But Hafswa’s beauty is not merely skin-deep. Her mind is as captivating as her appearance. She possesses a keen intellect and an insatiable curiosity, particularly when it comes to the mysteries of philosophy. Our conversations often veer into lively discussions about the nature of existence, the pursuit of happiness, and the meaning of life. She challenges my perspectives with gentle wit and engages in intellectual sparring with a playful smile, making our dialogues as delightful as they are thought-provoking.

Tonight, under the soft glow of candlelight, I can already imagine her bright eyes sparkling as she poses a thoughtful question, her brow furrowed in endearing concentration. I eagerly await the chance to lose myself in the depths of her mind as we embark on another philosophical adventure, two souls journeying together through the vast labyrinth of human thought. May the evening be filled with laughter, delicious food, and the sweet company of the woman who is both my love and my intellectual muse.

CARL SAGAN

“Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every “superstar,” every “supreme leader,” every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there-on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.

 The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner, how frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot.

 Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.

The Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment the Earth is where we make our stand.

It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known.” ― Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space.

By abc-mombasa