I was in a conversation recently at church in which the discussion turned towards Christians who held (what those present) considered to be pretty obviously heretical beliefs. Several of the men present (it was an all male conversation) expressed a belief that ignorance was the biggest problem. They felt that if people were better educated it would got a long way towards solving the problem.
I disagreed. In my opinion it isn’t a lack of received truth on most people’s part. The problem is found in the heart, not the mind. No amount of proof will work for them. Case in point:
19Â âThere was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20Â And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21Â who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich manâs table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22Â The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23Â In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. 24Â He called out, âFather Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.â 25Â But Abraham said, âChild, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26Â Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.â 27Â He said, âThen, father, I beg you to send him to my fatherâs houseâ 28Â for I have five brothersâthat he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.â 29Â Abraham replied, âThey have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.â 30Â He said, âNo, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.â 31Â He said to him, âIf they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.ââ
(Luke 16:19-31)
You can tell people the truth, you can show them the truth, but if they don’t want to accept it, and its implications, they will simply reject it, and choose a more preferable interpretation. That is not to say that ignorance is good- it isn’t. We are called to tell the Truth, even if we know people will reject it. Sometimes error really is a product of ignorance- that was my case for much of my life.
The key is not to be disheartened when people do reject the Truth (in whatever form and case it may be).
Naturally enough, this also applies to the “Red Pill.” Of course, the Red Pill isn’t really “truth” per se. Rather, it is merely an exposure to the fact that one has been living a lie. (NSR has a good write-up on that here.) But all the same- plenty of folks will choose the lie, even after they have been told (and shown) it to be a lie. For them, there is never enough evidence to support your argument (whatever it may be). All you can do is carry on.
14Â The mind of a fool is like a broken jar;
    it can hold no knowledge.
(Sirach 21:14)