There’s a difference between beliefs and truths

IN response to the letter from Lilian Malcolm, “Church leaders and volunteers speak gospel truth” ( Bulletin, April 15), I would like to respectfully point out that what you state as facts are, in fact, not truths. They are beliefs.

They are apparently your beliefs, and I believe that what you think is true for you, is indeed true.

But it is not true for me, nor for many others with different ideas, beliefs and truths.

A truth for one may be a lie for another. Accepting that “fact” is what we know as tolerance.

I have no doubt that there are many who agree with your “truths”.

I would like to point out, though, that there are an equal number of people who do not.

For the sake of subjective wellbeing, it is rather important that we believe in something.

For many, that is a religion, or a sect, but even an avowed atheist is correct in their own “truth” that there is no God.

If that is their belief, then that is their truth. And that belief is as valid as any other, and cannot be denied.

The important thing is that they have a belief which is important to them.

So, Ms Malcolm, I hope that you will accept that hearsay, or faith, is not necessarily truth, and it is not necessary for anyone, everyone or no one to agree with you – the fact that someone says something, no matter how well- intentioned they may be, does not make it true, and that holds no matter how loudly, or how frequently, it is proclaimed.

Facts are facts, truths are truths, and faith is just that – an individual’s own truth, but still faith or belief, neither fact nor truth.

JUDY TOOTELL,

Kelso.