Today, I spent sometime learning the English word RELATIVISM. According to the Oxford Dictionary, relativism means, 'Doctrine that knowledge is relative, not absolute'. I started this pondering because Pope Benedict 16 has used the word "relativism" on many occations during his apostolic trips. To define the word 'relativism' in the light of Faith, this I am not really capable of doing.
But what I will say is, when the Pope comments that the lack of respect, or the lack of the practice of religion, is due to the attitude of relativism. I am sure he means that, we live in the midst of a society struggling to find its place in creation- we are living in a society that oftens gets trap by the idea that "anything goes", "any method is fine", "all religion are 'equally' the same" and "any way of life is good". As society progresses, I see that many make progress, but the sad fact is that areas in life that needs attention is often forgotten; sadly no progress are made in spiritual life, inner happiness, family life, virtues, religion.
Thus we are living in a time when many cannot fine their single foundation- our life's journey is no longer absolute, the assurance is lost, the single mindedness is gone.
For me, I do get trap each day in the idea and even perhaps in living this idea of 'knowledge is relative, NOT absolute'; I find ways and reasons to try to compromise my system of living. I find ways of taking the 'back lane' rather than taking the 'main road' in reaching my set purpose /goal in life. This is the sad fact in our human life, where so often we fall prey to the idea that 'everything is just as good as the other'.
Taking this side road, cheating in life of cause has its counsequences. I have seen friends not happy with work, people not able to find their bearing in life, marriage breakdown, people finding no value in religious practices, parents not speaking to their children, the sin of homosexuality, murder in abortion/contraception...
The sad fact is that if we continue living in the idea that there is no ONE SINGLE path to the Truth, is that the prophesy made by the late Blessed Pope John Paul 2 will come true. The teaching of the "CULTURE OF DEATH" will continue to spread in our midst.
If we are willing to embrace relativism, then I must suggest we must be also evermore willing to live with pain, death, losing the bearing in life, family breakdown...the culture of death!