The “Word of the Year” – can you guess what it may be?

The Oxford Dictionary identifies the compound adjective “post-truth” as the word of the moment.

Describing “post-truth” as “one of the defining words of our time”, the Oxford Dictionary says it’s a term “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief”.

Here truth is of secondary importance. What matters most is feelings. Indeed, it’s how one “feels” about something that counts. Facts no longer matter.

You can witness this frightening trend in the media. Just listen to one of the many “shock-jocks” on the radio each day. A particular line is literally “hammered” that both appeals to public fear and evokes public emotion.  Assertions are repeated, policy details are circumvented and factual rebuttals are avoided.

Public figures, including many political leaders, appear to have adopted this approach. The recent presidential campaign in the US, the “Brexit” vote and the federal election here in Australia earlier in the year are unfortunate examples.

Indeed, how often have you witnessed a public figure repeat a particular point “ad nauseam” even though it has been proved to be false?

Many suggest this scenario is fuelled by the rise of social media where selective views can both dominate and be absolved from any form of objective scrutiny. Others suggest it’s the 24 hour news cycle where emotional media grabs, designed to impact rather than inform, means the truth cannot be easily substantiated. Meanwhile there is a growing distrust of established institutions including government, mainstream media and democracy itself. Even the church is under fire.

What are we to make of all this? Moreover, what was Jesus thinking when he made that claim “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:6)?

In a world that appeals more to emotion, to uncertainty, to fear and ultimately to prejudice, what does it mean to follow the “truth”?

I believe this is one, if not the most important, issue of our day. What do you think about living in a world of “post-truth”?

And what is “truth” for you?

John Barr