His Holiness Pope Shenouda III’s Lecture at the Book Fair — A Talk on Truth
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III addresses in this lecture the topic truth with multiple meanings: honesty, entitlement, and justice, in addition to being a name of God. He explains how truth is connected to trust and credibility and to scientific and religious investigation to reach true knowledge.
The main idea of the lecture
The main idea is that truth is not merely a statement or a single piece of evidence but a collection of elements: honesty, investigation, justice, and sincere intention. To reach truth one must collect all parties and examine the evidence and not be satisfied with half-truths or rumors.
Ways to reach the truth
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Comprehensive investigation: gathering all evidence, comparing and examining references, and not relying on a single material evidence or a pressured confession.
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Deliberation and not jumping to quick judgments, especially in scientific, religious, and political matters.
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Multiple levels of investigation and bodies (police, prosecution, court, appeals) to avoid injustice.
What distances from the truth (obstacles and opposites)
His Holiness mentions several matters that distance from the truth: lying in all its forms, rumors, presenting part of the truth and hiding the rest, exaggeration, sensationalizing or trivializing, excessive flattery reaching hypocrisy, ostentation, and justifying wrong out of pity or partisanship.
The spiritual and educational dimension (from a Coptic Orthodox faith perspective)
Truth is a name of God, and whoever opposes the truth is not only socially problematic but stands against the name of God. Therefore truth has a moral and spiritual dimension: speaking truth and holding to it is a virtue that draws one closer to God and forbids lying regardless of motives. Defending the truth must be by rightful means that do not trample human dignity or violate rights.
The duty of the believer and society
The believer must seek truth through research and verification, and defend it by fair and honest means, while taking care that no one defends the truth in public while being opposed to it in private practice. He also urges not to believe everything heard or read but to verify and investigate before spreading or judging.
Conclusion
The spiritual summary is that truth requires honesty in speech, justice in judgment, and deliberation in research. Truth is a path to trust among people and a mirror of the name of God, and therefore it is a moral and religious duty on every person and institution.
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