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Speaking the Same Language

Beliefs, doctrines, facts, opinions, and truths are terms that many people use interchangeably. This causes a great deal of confusion. Therefore, the first thing we must do is to make sure we are speaking the same language as we make our journey.

Below are the definitions for a few basic terms that play an important role in our investigation. The definitions are from Webster's Dictionary.

(1) BELIEF:	A state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed; something believed. A state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed; something believed.
(2) DOCTRINE:	A principle or position or the body of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of belief.
(3) FACT:	The quality of being actual; something that has actual existence; an actual occurrence.
(4) OPINION:	A view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter.
(5) TRUTH:	A judgment, proposition, or idea that is true or accepted as true (in accordance with a standard).

Notice the difference between "fact" and "truth." Something may be true, but have no factual basis. It is also possible to have two or more "truths" that are in direct contradiction with each other. The primary factor that determines "truth" is that something is "in accordance with a standard." The standard upon which religious truths are based is religious authority, not facts. Every biblical based religious group claims that it is divinely authorized to speak for God. It is the claim of divine authority that is used to support their doctrinal systems. Ultimately, however, all the claims of authority are based upon their doctrines and beliefs about their Bible.

At the beginning of this journey we must all recognize the FACT that we all have Belief Systems. It has taken us a lifetime to acquire the information they contain. We must make sure that our BS - i.e., Belief System - doesn't keep us from discovering evidence that will help us in our investigation.

We developed a set of guidelines that will help handle the new information we will discover:

My belief system will be large enough to include to all the facts.
It will be open enough to be tested.
It will be flexible enough to change when error is found.

The use of the above guidelines helps us move beyond barriers that have divided people for centuries. Our ongoing mission is to gather as many FACTS as possible and use those FACTS to test our BELIEFS, DOCTRINES, OPINIONS, and RELIGIOUS TRUTHS, including those about our Bibles. We only perceive those things for which we have an understanding.

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