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There are also those people who believe that that influence is brought about by creation- that is, to have enduring influence comes about as the result of creating a physical manifestation or expression of their ideas or beliefs, be that in art or politics are any other field of endeavor.

These people wrongly believe that to create is to have influence, whereas in reality, it is influence that creates.

Making an object or having an idea that is separate and distinct from myself, separates me from that object or idea. I am not a part of that object. If on the other hand, by way of ideas and insight, I influence the world around me, then I have truly created something meaningful.

…Objects and ideas only assume real value when their qualities exert a positive influence. Food is important because food is life sustaining and thus allows us to exert positive and productive influences. Ideas and education assume real value when their qualities exert a positive influence and we use those ideas and education to empower ourselves and others. Books assume real value when their qualities exert the kind of influence that makes us think. Just because the Bible and pornography are both printed and bound, does not make them equal in value, any more than achieving Palestinian statehood will make the Israelis and Palestinians equal in status. Assuming the garb or uniform does not bestow equality. This is a lesson the Palestinians must learn and a lesson the Israelis must let them learn, on their own and their own terms. The risk is great (a people who promise ‘To finish what Hitler started’ aren’t exactly the healthiest example of human kind) but the potential rewards are greater. Truly great nations are built on individuals willing to shed what is broken and build upon moral foundation.

There is also a big difference between truth and knowledge, and that difference also measures what it means to have influence and our search for meaning.

Seeking knowledge is a human endeavor and as such, is both never ending and limited at the same time. Seeking truth is very different- we can find truth and be satisfied and sated, even if we do not completely understand or comprehend that truth. We can work to increase our understanding of truth, but the essential truth never changes.

Our search for meaning and truth cannot be found through our quest for knowledge.

Personal or religious salvation or redemotion is not achieved through the search for knowledge. Salvation and meaning come about as the result of the search for truth. It is in the search for truth that truth is found…