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A recent documentary by Al Gore won acclaim in many parts of the world. This well made film focused on the impact of human activity on the environment and in particular highlighted the fact that we humans have the uncanny ability to avoid noticing or believing things that are "inconvenient" for us to believe. In this case, the "truth" that our way of life is terribly damaging to the earth we live on. A large amount of data is cited in the presentation, and conclusions are drawn with the intent of showing that if we continue to refuse to acknowledge our intrusions and live as we do - the planet will no longer be able to sustain life as we know it. For anyone who believes in evolution and the "accidental" development of all forms of life, this would mean life would continue in a different form that would adapt to the pollutions and mess we have made. For someone who believes in the uniqueness of life (that it was created by God and not just a natural outcome of the interaction of inert elements) the effect of our damage would be irreversible and would lead to a planet devoid of life. Al Gore points out that if we are to live, we must change. - we must face inconvenient truths.
There are proponents who support this film and there are those who reject the data and information. It is true that much of what is stated is supposition and seeming truths, and yet there is also a great deal of accurate examination of data. The scientific mind would have to say that this film is not scientific in the sense that there are irrefutable truths and conclusions that can be drawn. That is not so much the intent of the film. The title tells us that the authors are touching a fact of life when they point out that we humans do not like to face truths that are "inconvenient." There are many scientists that have aligned themselves with the film and many who have spoken out against the film. Many people fear a sort of "doomsday clock" which is nearing the point of no return and many people have based all of their livelihood on our lifestyle to continue as it is.
I was struck by my own reaction to the film. I consider myself to be somewhat scientifically minded, since in the past I have taught chemistry, physics and mathematics and I enjoy those fields of study. My mind questioned a number of statements and conclusions that Al Gore brought out and I sincerely felt my questions were based on logical conclusion and not emotions or twists within myself. In moments of honesty, we all would admit that there are hidden forces within our minds that do impact our reasoning process and conclusions. Recognizing something is important and acting on that which we have recognized is where the part of the process becomes "inconvenient." Winston Churchill once wrote: "Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened." No doubt it was inconvenient to acknowledge this truth.
I am not a smoker and never have been, but I understand that of all the habits people have developed, smoking is one that is very hard to break. Science has shown that on a percentage basis, smoking is damaging to the health of a person. On the other hand, most people can point out octogenarians who have smoked heavily all of their lives and are still alive and well. Medical science has proven that smoking does raise the possibility of developing a whole host of illnesses that can shorten the average lifespan of a person. Since these are always averages and percentages, there is room for those hardy souls who seem to be able to defy the odds and we can point those people out in our midst. Now comes the inconvenient truth! Cigarette packages carry statements of warning, doctors (many of whom are smokers) have learned and will state that smoking "may" cause health issues. Insurance companies, decrees and bans placed on smoking in public places and a whole cadre of other indicators shout out the truth (scientific) that smoking is bad for you. Even the impact on one's stamina in sports, effect on our vocal cords, frequent coughs, stains on our teeth and bad breath tell us there is something happening (though not necessarily life-threatening). No smoker can miss the signs and signals that smoking harms our health and the health of others in the proximity of those who smoke (second- hand smoke). At the same time, this "inconvenient truth" runs up against the fact that a drastic change in life-style is required for a smoker to stop smoking. There is some enjoyment that smokers claim to receive, there is the habit of "lighting up" that must be changed and there are a whole lot of little habits attached to smoking that must be broken. Bottom line is that smokers find it very difficult to face and accept this truth. They will admit that smoking is harmful and that they intend to quit (some day soon) as they are lighting up the next cigarette. The knowledge that should be inescapable can be ignored to the point that it no longer has an impact. I do sympathize with those who are trying so very hard to break the habit (I know individuals who have really suffered trying to quit) - and I have to admit I have not faced such a dilemma. We humans, though, would rather continue to do the things that we have developed into habits than to face the difficult path of change.
This observation holds true for almost everything in our lives. People who are obese or overweight have their living and thinking habits that need to be changed. Those who are slovenly or who use filthy and crass language have their own problems to deal with - and they too manage to avoid admitting there is a problem. History is rife with examples of people for whom an "inconvenient truth" was hard to face. This has let to monumental problems and troubles. We are caught in the problem of finding and acknowledging real problems so they can be tackled, and the tendency to "overkill" when we think we have identified a problem. All too often we can identify a problem - but it becomes an inconvenient truth because it requires an action we are not willing or not able to take. We are often not able, because of deeply ingrained and sometimes unrecognized motives, beliefs and biases within ourselves.
It seems an "inconvenient truth" that God gave the Ten Commandments to mankind. Humans seem to be able to choose to do what they want to do - and then deal with the consequences (though they hope no consequences will come). Several Bible examples come to mind. Samson was smitten by certain women and managed to do as he wished, regardless of God's law. He married outside of Israel, and went in to prostitutes and women who had evil intentions. These actions brought great problems upon Samson and caused God to leave him (Judges 16:20). Samson found the road back, but only through great trials (Judges 16:28). David shut his eyes to the fact that Bathsheba was married, took her in adultery and then plotted the death of her husband Uriah. God made him face that truth and the suffering it caused (2 Sam. 12:9,10). David apparently had other such moments (I Chron. 21:8). King Solomon, too, did not face the reality of his actions. He loved many foreign women (I Kings 11:1) and it led to his downfall and distancing from God before he came to his senses (if he actually did manage that, v.7,8). We are all faced with things we would rather avoid at some time in our lives. It takes courage and determination to make the changes we need to make. We all benefit from the exercise of seeking truths, especially when it hurts. That is the character which grows in a "doer."
It takes character to overcome, but overcome we must (Rev.2,3). Dealing with consequences may be much worse than the inconvenience of facing a needed change. Search for truth in little things and exercise the character to live by it. You will never fail to live by the greater truths. A richer life awaits.