Reuben, I really like the things you put down there. Excellent points about the system.
Reuben wrote: ↑28 Apr 2017, 02:32
I don't believe that an intersubjective experience of feeling peace about something in any way connotes objective truth.
I like the point you are making about how we sometimes conflate peace for truth, and also how you show the dangers of that. I plan to give this more study and thought. I think your whole post is well-written.
When DJ made his post, I was thinking that at times in my life...that "peace" as answer has been very welcome to me, and I cried with grattitude.
Sometimes...it was very very lacking and I cried for greater answers that would help me find long-term peace. I have since adjusted my expectations because I believe the peace will help me feel OK about my path, but it is through taking steps on the path that answers will come to those who work for them. I wanted more intervention in my life and worked to be worthy of it. But I found that God helps those that help themselves. Expectations adjusted.
I have since tried to stay close to keeping the peaceful answers as a welcome security blanket in times of doubts and fears. But...it still comes down to finding truth through choosing what actions to take, and seeing the results that come from handling things a certain way, and thinking through my personal truths I experience while trying to stay open to always learning more truth and knowledge.
So, it seems that personal peace is there to help guide us. But truth is what seems to stand on it's own and people can break that truth or break themselves against that truth. We have to avoid lying to ourselves just to feel better...that isn't peace or truth...it is justification of our self-desires or pride.
The system provides a place where people can go and trust each other that the group agrees on those things together, so they know how to talk about truth, teach truth, and trust others are on the same page so it is safe and doesn't need to be challenged constantly, and there can be collective peace in that group. There can be commitment and trust. Some peace comes from feeling validated by others, and so the system helps us go to church weekly so we can feel peace and support by others. Challenging truth in the midst of others can seem to be a good thing to clarify truth, but if it goes too far and is contentious it destroys the peace the group shares. It should be delicately balanced.
I see 2 things: Personal Peace (I'm doing ok), and collective peace (we are doing ok). Perhaps the same for truth...personal (works for me) and collective (works for all of us).
So...another element in this is "Personal Peace" and "Collective Peace". Sometimes personal sacrifice is needed, which may be giving up a little personal peace in some areas of our lives and may bring some stress and anxiety, but is done to have greater Collective Peace that can make it worthwhile to have, having trust in each other and the system to commit to it and not feel alone in the search for peace or truth.
It doesn't have to be perfect collective peace, just better than no peace, and more complimentary to the personal peace you get on your own. If not, you leave the group and go focus on personal peace and truth.
Something for me to ponder more about, and study.