“Post-truth” was Oxford’s 2016 Word of the Year. What does it mean, and how can you navigate your life of faith in our “post-truth” world?
Talking Points:
- “Post-truth” is a phenomenon where people are drawn to any article or video that speaks to how they feel about a topic and it becomes “fact” to them, even if the source of the information has not been demonstrated to be credible. It becomes “my truth” and “your truth.”
- We have become disinterested in learning and dealing with facts then we have in affirming our own opinions in what we watch, what we say, and who we associate with. We want to hear what itching ears want to hear, to be in a kind of “echo chamber” where our own opinions are more important than what is actually true.
- Listening to multiple news networks is one way to possibly glean the facts out of the opinions or the “spins.” Exposing yourself to different points of view helps establish a baseline for what truth is.
- The ultimate basis for truth is God’s Word – the Bible. Sometimes we have to dig into the scripture and apply the principles of the Bible rather than direct quotes, but the Bible is always relevant. Proverbs 2:3-5
Talk About It
- Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
- What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
- What is a worldview? Explain.
- Be honest: are you in an “echo chamber” where you mostly talk to people who agree with you? Explain.
- What do you think the role of social media is in our culture’s turn toward “post-truth?” Explain.
- Would you consider yourself to be conservative, liberal, or something else? Explain. (And keep it civil!)
- Are you concerned over recent allegations about “fake news” and “alternative facts?” Explain. (Again: keep it civil!)
- How do you think the Bible speaks into our culture’s continual turn toward subjective moral reasoning, postmodernism, and post-truth?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
