Fact versus Scams

St Thomas, the Apostle. Friday 3rd July, 2020

There was a fascinating five minute video on the BBC website about checking facts. It was aimed at the false information supposedly coming to us via the Internet. I am very ignorant about the world of cyberspace and the use of computer technology. I use emails. Since the lockdown from the pandemic and now my current isolation I have learned to use my iPad more diversely. I go on YouTube to listen to concerts and lectures and I even go on to television channels via Google. I have been offered Twitter and Facebook and LinkedIn as well as apps galore but I have refused all those. I was warned off when my emails were hacked and caused chaos. Certainly I do not bank or shop online but am fortunate to have friends to help me over both. Sadly I think society is changing and shopping and banking etc will rarely be done on the High Street. I fear it, dislike it, am concerned as to its consequences but am unable to stop it. I am sure there are positives but for now I see the negatives.

The 5 minute video into 'checking facts' on cyber space, Internet sites was intriguing. There were a series of examples one of which included a photograph. The claim for the photograph was shown to be false. Examples of false statistics and statements were shown also. How such items are spread was also indicated and often it was innocent of malice. Also shown were bizarre claims and photographs shown to be true. How the checking was done was a little confusing to me, but the overall message I received was to be wary, even to doubt, over what one hears, sees and reads. Doubt should lead to checking and investigation which will lead to establishing the veracity. Some of the false claims could, and indeed have, changed and ruined lives, as well as undermined and altered loyalties, attitudes and beliefs.

Of course, the question to myself today is a more fundamental one. It is certainly life changing. The question is directly associated with St Thomas the Apostle. He refused to believe his fellow Apostles and disciples when they claimed that they had seen the risen Jesus. He wanted proof and until he had it he 'would not believe'. He wanted to touch and see Jesus himself for he had seen him die on a cross. According to the Gospel Jesus did appear to him and then follows the remarkable declaration of faith by Thomas. He has ever been known since as 'doubting' Thomas. His doubt has surprisingly helped many with their struggles.

My question is how do we check up on God? How do we check the facts, the information? I am personally certain that there have been false claims re Jesus and the Bible. This falsity may be down to the human manipulation, misinterpretation, prejudice or abuse about the man and the Bible. But how do I test the claim that Jesus was God? How do I test the theory of a God anyway? Also what of the billions of claims and counter claims? Which do I hold as true and how do I check?

At some point I have to trust. This trust is known as Faith. It may not be provable but it is to me of such numinous and human integrity that I stand by it.