Moral and cultural relativism has been a powerful theme in American education for several generations. A new study by Summit Ministries in partnership with respected polling firm, McLaughlin and Associates, shows that the concept of "truth" is being abandoned by younger Americans.
The survey asked 1,000 likely general election voters if they believed in "absolute truth." The good news is 60 percent of Americans said they did, while 40 percent said each person determines their own version of truth.
The bad news is that the younger they are the more likely they are to reject universal absolute truth. Only 42 percent of American voters aged 18-29 believe in absolute truth, while 55 percent believe truth is up to each individual.
These results set off alarm bells about America's future. Any civilization or country whose citizens reject the concept of absolute truth would be facing serious challenges.
Dr. Jeff Myers, President of Summit.org said, "The loss of truth has grave consequences for community, justice, a sense of purpose, and mental health. I'm not aware of any civilization that has abandoned reality to this extent and survived."
This is particularly true for the United States which was literally founded on the idea of universal truth. Our founders state the central idea of America in the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence with these words: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
The Christian faith is based on Truth. We believe the Bible is God's inspired Word and is true. Christ, Himself, said, "I am the way, the truth and the life." (John 14:6)
We noticed something else in the study that gave us hope. An amazing 81 percent of American voters said they believe that one person standing for his or her beliefs in a time of crisis has the power to bring change. Imagine what would happen if millions of Christians in America and countless churches resolved today to stand for the truth in the public square of America.
I believe this is the only way our nation will prevail in these trying times.