Facts vs. Truth

Part of the problem I see in the Evolution vs Creation debate is the confusion between Facts and Truth. Something can be True without necessarily being a Fact. Think of it this way--Newspapers deal in Facts--Who, What, When, Where, Why or How, whereas Novelists and poets deal in the meaning behind or beyond the facts. The same can be said about the difference between science and religion. Science can tell us the five Ws of life on Earth but is the province of philosophy and religion to give life on Earth meaning. On the other hand sacred texts like the Bible can give us the meaning behind life on Earth but give no real insight into how it came to be. "And god said..." just isn't a very good how.This message has been edited by MexicanHotChocolate, 06-20-2004 01:51 AM

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Our loyalties are to the species and the planet. We speak for Earth. Our obligation to survive is owed not just to ourselves but also to that Cosmos, ancient and vast, from which we spring.
--Carl Sagan, 1934-1996

Facts are concrete objective concepts like: dogs have four legs, the sky is blue, grass is green, chlorine gas is toxic to humans...these sorts of things can be proven through observation and testing.Truths are more general, abstract, broad ideas like Good and Evil, Right and Wrong, Peace, Freedom, Justice and Injustice...Or a truth can be a subjective insight into human nature. Those kinds of insights are the basis of art, theater, fiction, and mythology...Truths are things that can not be proven scientifically they must be demonstrated metaphorically...