it seems simple enough question but is it? while we are aware of benefits of knowing the truth, not knowing has its benefits too. some people prefer happiness to truth and others prefer truth to happiness. is it really either-or relationship between happiness and truth? why?
Responses (2)
The only person who has the right to choose is each person for himself, in that case it's a matter of who's truth is considered.
If we were to consider thoughts from another point of view, the Bible says, (John 8:32) and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Knowing the truth from this standpoint, is talking mostly about a spiritual truth, based on God's word. (John 17:17) "Sanctify them by means of the truth; your word is truth."
James 1:25 "But the one who peers into the perfect law that belongs to freedom and continues in it has become, not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work; and he will be happy in what he does."
However some truths can be hurtful and may not always be necessary to disclose.
This has nothing to do with the truth when asked if something is true or false. A lie is a lie.
Even though a person may prefer what they think will bring them happiness to truth,
unfortunately when the truth does come out it may be worst then knowing in the first place.
So many standards, so little time! A lie got us into the mess we are in today.
(John 8:44) You are from your father the Devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father. That one was a murderer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of the lie.
Bottom line it is our choice. For more info please consider: www.jw.org
Of course we can choose to be ignorant believing that ignorance is bliss but the question is - if ignorance is truly bliss, for instance, if we are ignorant that we have cancer, can we be blissfully unaware about it or should we realize what is happening and take action to overcome it? Therefore realization of the Truth is to liberate ourselves from suffering. If we want to be ignorant about it, if we don't want the Truth but we want to remain unaware of it, then we can live in imaginary happiness, but ultimately we will suffer. Ignorance cannot make us happy, and the Truth cannot make us unhappy. There is no way that this equation will work. Let us try to go in quest of the Truth. When we realize who we are and why we are here, we will be liberated from all misery and suffering.
please dont quote bible, in truth discussion