“The World According to Doctrine” — “Doctrine: because. . .” Bumper sticker

“Doctrine: because. . .” Bumper sticker

Let’s not “quibble” the point away by claiming that “truth” is a philosophical concept; and accept the everyday usage: “Tell the truth.”

Doctrine is a useful tool for avoiding debate – because its “truths” are so frequently revealed and not built upon everyday experience and consistency.

The prevalence of the word “lens” is an avoidance of the word “viewpoint”– and the admission of a subjective judgement — “lens” implies a detached and scientific “truth” [although Science itself has subjective underpinnings.]

The “Lie of Wikipedia” if you will; is the “doctrinal” structure that allows every article to use a different lens and present a different “truth.” The “Potato Famine” is presented in such a way as to minimize and deflect ethnic and religious oppression; and portray those “truths” as whining and irrational – Whereas the Wikipedia article on “Atlantic slave trade” uses a “lens” that selectively maximizes the role and guilt of “Europeans” in every possible way.

Both these “truths” are presented separately – each lens creating a different universe: with different elements and different laws, and even a different logic.

The “truth” is that your beliefs don’t have to be proven or debated – but when you insist on making them Our beliefs, and Our truths — you damn well better.