Be wary of truth that ignores relativity

The philosopher Franz Kafka wrote that there are many paths that lead to the castle. His idea is an important one, especially in our diverse and multicultural world.

I grew up in a culture where questioning was important and encouraged. And I grew up at a time when many people encouraged us to question and challenge authority. I still believe that questioning is critical and that there are many acceptable paths and beliefs.

I certainly do not believe in truth with a capital “T.”

Physics teaches us that everything is relative. It is not for me to tell anyone that there is only one Truth. In fact, whenever I hear a person say that, I know that he is weak in his thinking and simply wrong.

That person’s strength comes from negating others rather than seeing the intrinsic truth in various paths and beliefs. Weak people fail to see the bigger picture and think that they are the only ones who are right and everyone else is wrong.

Judaism is not an exclusionist religion. We accept that there are other paths and beliefs. We do not proselytize. We hope that Jews will remain Jewish and find meaning and holiness in our way of living.

We also hope that others will find the same satisfaction in their way of life and in their belief system.

Judaism does believe in a life after death or in a heaven and we believe that all people go to heaven if they have lived a good life, not if they believe in a particular truth.

Jesus was a Jew and he died like a Jew. He was crucified on a cross by the Romans, as were many Jewish dissidents at the time. Christianity is a religion with its roots in Judaism and with its roots in Jesus, a Jewish man. The Christian Bible includes the Jewish Bible, what Christians call the Old Testament. Jews do not have a New Testament so we do not have an Old Testament. We have our Bible. The traditions and beliefs of Judaism are independent of Christianity. However, Christianity is rooted in Judaism.

The Catholic Church under Pope John Paul II has made remarkable progress in acknowledging Judaism as an ancient and contemporary religion and people, deserving of recognition and understanding for all that Judaism is historically, religiously and theologically.

Our unique beliefs and way of life have made for a very special history for ourselves as Jews and have also parented the two other major monotheistic religions, Christianity and Islam.

Not every religion can be right for everyone. Judaism is right for me. We all hope in life that we will find our “way,” our “tao,” our path. There is a marketplace of ideas and paths and ways out there, all competing and often fighting with each other.

If only we could accept that finding our own way leads to personal satisfaction and peace and that accepting others for who they are leads to world peace and understanding. Not all of us insist that we are right. Many affirm that there are many truths, that personal truths are relative and that there are many ways people find to a life of meaning and holiness.

The great Rabbi Hillel, who lived just before the time of Jesus and was very likely an important influence on Jesus’ thinking, wrote, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me; if I am only for myself, what am I, and, if not now, when?” Hillel understood and taught how important it is to be the person who we are intrinsically and to grow into and live a fulfilling life.

Yet that alone is not enough, for we must also be a part of something larger than ourselves. We must also have a positive influence on others, our significant others, our family, our children, our community, our world. And, yes, the time to act is now.

Our world is a fragile place, and unfortunately it is filled with a minority of people who believe that their way is the only way.

We must remain vigilant in our struggle to maintain minority rights, to affirm the value of each individual, and to understand the beauty and meaning in not only how we live our lives, but also in how others live their lives.

There are many paths that lead to the castle. And, in that castle, many very different people sit in peace.

If only we could make our world that castle of peace.

Rabbi Barry Krieger is the rabbinic facilitator for the Hillel organization at the University of Maine in Orono. He may be reached via bkrieger56@aol.com. Voices is a weekly commentary by five Maine columnists who explore issues affecting spirituality and religious life.