Ethix Chapter 3IS THERE SUCH A THING AS TRUTH?

John 14:6

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

John 14:6

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the and the and the . No one comes to the

except through .’”

14:

“ answered, ‘ am the and the and the . one to the except

.’”

Hot Seat Activity

There is no truth.Moral truths cannot be tested by science.It may be true for you, but not for me.I can create my own truth.Sincerity is more important than truth.Truth is what works.Truth changes over time.

Why is Truth so Important?

1. Without it we live in a world of tragedy.

2. Truth is a compass for our lives.

3. Truth has consequences.

True for you, but not for me.

Part 1

Truth Survey Assignment

Ask 3 people (other than freshmen) to respond to at least 4 of the same objections from #8 on p. 39. Record their responses(paraphrase if needed) TYPED in MLA format.

*Ask at least one person who is a Christian.*Ask at least one person who isn’t a Christian.*One needs to be a student on campus or an

alumnus/alumna. This assignment is worth 40 points.

John 14:6

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

John 14:6

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the and the and the . No one comes to the

except through .’”

14:

“ answered, ‘ am the and the and the . one to the except

.’”

Secular Intake Reduction

In your small groups discuss: On a scale of 1-10, how successful were you in

replacing negative or neutral time consuming activities with meaningful activities? Why?

On a scale of 1-10, how impactful (for better or worse) was this assignment for your personally? Why?

Will you continue reducing your secular intake?

Secular Intake Reduction Feedback

How did the Secular Intake Reduction Challenge affect you personally?

What benefits did you experience? Were there any disadvantages? What do you think the point of the activity was? Do you anticipate it changing any of your future

habits? Will you remain mindful of your secular intake?

Can YOU Handle the Truth?

How would you define truth? Truth: “When claims correspond to reality”

Subjective Truth: Personal choices relative to the individual—preferences that can easily change (depends on the subject)

Ex: Favorite flavor of ice cream; fun places to vacation, etc. Student examples?

Objective Truth: True whether anyone believes it or not Ex: Insulin controls diabetes, there is only one true God. Student examples?

Subjective or Objective

Directions: On #4 of page 39 in your Ethix book, write down O next to the statements you think are objective and S next to the statements you think are subjective.

Let’s compare answers…

Subjective vs. Objective The Los Angeles Lakers are the most fun team to watch in the NBA.

Subjective How could we turn this into an objective statement? Ex: The Los Angeles Lakers are a basketball team.

Diet soda has fewer calories than regular soda.Objective

How could we turn this into a subjective statement? Ex: Diet soda tastes better than regular soda.

Sacramento is the capital of California. Objective

Pink is prettier than red. Subjective

Subjective vs. Objective Abortion is wrong.

Objective Why is this objective? Can abortion be right for one person and wrong for another person?

Jake Burnett plays for the Jackson City Boilers.Objective

Brunettes are more attractive than blondes.Subjective

Homosexuality is immoral.Objective Why is this objective? Can it be immoral for one person but moral for another?

Bonus: Homosexuality is moral.Objective

This statement is objectively wrong, but it is still objective. Why?

True for you, but not for me.

Part 2

True for you, but not for me.

Part 3

Responding to Objections

“There is no truth.” Self-contradictory. (Is that true?)

“But moral truths cannot be tested by science.” So what?

“It may be true for you, but not for me.” Can truth exist solely for the person who believes it?

Opinions can change, but truth cannot. “I can create my own truth.”

We don’t create truth; we discover it.

Responding to Objections Cont’d

“Sincerity is more important than truth.” So does that mean the terrorists from 9/11 were

validated because of their sincerity? “Truth is what works.”

Although truth works as God intends it too, what “works” is not always true. (Ex: Lying to get out of trouble.)

“Truth changes over time.” While beliefs may vary, truth is constant. (We may discover

things to be true we didn’t know before, but they were still true before.)

True for you, but not for me.

Part 4

Small Group Discussion Question #3

Is it better to face truth or deny it? Do you think most people accept or reject truth? Defend your answer.

Homework

Study for Reading Quiz (tomorrow) Finish Truth Survey (Friday) RWA#5: Answer question 2 on p. 40

What would the world look like if there were no standards of measurement? What would the world look like if there were no moral standard for right and wrong?

Survey Discussion

How did the students/alumni do?

How did Christians vs. Non-Christians do?

What observations did you have?

Could you respond better now?

Hot Seat Activity

There is no truth.Moral truths cannot be tested by science.It may be true for you, but not for me.I can create my own truth.Sincerity is more important than truth.Truth is what works.Truth changes over time.