Damning pieces of evidence

By Alex P. Vidal

“Truth is the kind of error without which a certain species of life could not live. The value for life is ultimately decisive.” – The Will to Power

THERE are two kinds of truth: 1. Empirical, or factual truth: “There are more than three billion monthly active X (formerly Facebook) users around the world.” This is true as a matter of fact; and 2. Necessary truth: “5 + 5 = 10.” This is true and cannot be possibly false.

The cat is now out of the bag.

The pieces of evidence presented in the recent House Committee on Justice hearing on the impeachment of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio are damning, to say the least, but some doubting Thomases—the die hards and fanatics—will continue to reject the truth and cast aspersions on those who brought out the truth based on solid facts and records.

Either their minds are closed, or it has come to a point where they are ashamed to admit they had been hoodwinked into believing the false gods.

We blame this to age-old aberration called fanaticism, which is often described as the most extreme form of dogmatism.

Fanaticism adds a layer of intense passion, unreasonable zeal, and often aggression to dogmatism’s rigid, uncritical holding of beliefs as absolute truth.

Fanatics often experience high anxiety and fear for their threatened values, driving them to protect their social identity aggressively.

Some of them often pretend to see or hear nothing to manage uncomfortable social situations, avoid conflict, or hide personal insecurities.

Common reasons include avoiding confrontation, saving face, managing untreated hearing loss, or protecting themselves from unpleasant truths. It is a defense mechanism used to maintain comfort, politeness, or to avoid taking responsibility.

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We can say that all fanatics are essentially dogmatic, but not all dogmatists are fanatics.

People can become fanatics in a bid to fulfill deep psychological needs for identity, meaning, and belonging, often driven by fear, insecurity, or social instability.

Fanaticism provides a rigid, self-confirming structure that helps individuals feel valuable, especially when they lack personal achievements or face socioeconomic hardship.

It thrives on in-group loyalty and intense devotion to a cause or leader, often leading to hostile opposition toward outsiders.

When fanaticism becomes socially entrenched, it transforms into a closed system of thought – and ultimately into a mechanism of domination, according to Epicureanfriends.

“Fanatical discourse rejects phronesis (prudence) banishes doubt, equates difference with threat, and finally legitimizes violence as divine command or moral restoration,” it adds.

“For Epicurus, this is the point where pleasure in life is lost and existence becomes distorted. Thought is replaced by mechanisms of submission.”

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STRESS CAN DESTROY OUR SKIN. A continual menu of stress causes the skin to become sensitive and prone to breakouts. Regular exercise and mediation will help diffuse its effects. Lying on a bed with our head hanging down off the side is a super destresser.

Self-centeredness inhibits our love for others, and we are all afflicted by it to one degree or another. For true happiness to come about, we need a calm mind, and such peace of mind is brought about only by a compassionate attitude. (How to develop compassion, The Compassionate Life)

In the UK, the average age at which both boys and girls lose their virginity is 16. But statistics are of little importance: the essential thing is not to rush into it and make sure you wait for the right moment. If you want to enjoy your first time, you need to want to do it. –SOFEMININE

What facts will prove the existence of God? Theist’s proof: It is stated in the Bible. Atheist’s reply: Not all statements in the Bible are true. Theist’s proof: It experiences God in a vision. Atheist’s reply: Mere hallucinations, doesn’t prove anything.

Millions of people today know of Nebuchadnezzar, and have never heard of Pericles, simply because Nebuchadnezzar is mentioned prominently in the Bible and Pericles, the father of Athens, is never mentioned at all.

All the major religions have the same potential to help humanity. It’s not just Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Judaism.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)