Is That True? Song by Jeremy Kocal

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Song Title: Is That True?
Song Release: February 14, 2020
Music, Lyrics, Piano, Vocals: Jeremy Kocal
Guitar: Todd McCool
Producer, Mixer: Cody Jay
Album Art: Maaot

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Is That True? Lyrics by Jeremy Kocal

There’s a man I know says we’re made of stars, we’re the stuff of stars, that’s what we are.
Is that true? ‘Cause that’s cool.
A girl I know says there’s a law, attraction works, you are the cause.
Is that true? ‘Cause that’s cool.

I’m not sure what I believe. But I’m sure I do not wish to be deceived.
So slow down and take a breath with me. Now let’s both pray for our families.
Let’s decide what kind of world we’ll lead. I do not wish to be enemies anymore.

There’s a church I know who says they’ve heard the voice of God and have his Word.
Is that true? ‘Cause that’s cool.
A boy came down in a virgin birth to show the world just what you’re worth.
Is that true? ‘Cause that’s cool.

I know I’ve only started learning about you.
And I know we both have some more listening we can do.
It’s not an easy thing to find out what is true. If you’ll try with me, I’ll try with you.

There’s a book I know that has the power to tell us of our final hour.
Is that true? ‘Cause that’s cool.
There’s a world I know not far away that could host human life someday.
Is that true? Cause that’s cool.

What Was the Inspiration for “Is That True?”

Jeremy Kocal:
The angst I feel about the debate format led me toward this song. If I’m more concerned with having a winner at the end of a discussion, it’s likely I’m doing more arguing and less listening. I dive into some limitations of the debate format to bring people together in this blog post:

How to Have Difficult Conversations – Abandon the Debate Format

The Wild West of Mean Social Media Comments

The raw pain and anger of many social media comments and the rough nature of our discussions about important topics like good, evil, science and religion really began to wear on me and prompted some elements of this song. It also led me to launch a conversation with this podcast episode, where I talk with a long-time Christian believer about how to respectfully approach difficult conversations with people that come from wildly different worldviews:

What Is Your Source? Pilgrimage Podcast Ep 01

This Is the Heart of the Song for Me

“I do not wish to be enemies anymore”

Labeling anyone as an enemy immediately comes with an important calling — if I am to follow Jesus’ message from his most famous sermon, then once I have an enemy identified, I begin loving them and praying for them. I see and hear many prayers that center around “Lord, let us prevail, smite and destroy our enemies.”

I’m not sure that’s hitting the mark. When was the last time I sought an action of love and prayer for someone who considers me an enemy, or for someone who hates me? Who do I consider my enemy? Which enemies are handed to me by country and church? Go through your top 5 enemies and see if you can move beyond hate. But don’t take it from me.

Jesus’s own words:

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. – Jesus’ words from His famous Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 5:43-45

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.– Jesus’ words from His famous Sermon on the Plain – Luke 6:27-28

And if you really want to begin a wrestling match in your mind, how do we reconcile the call to love and pray for an enemy with the greatest enemy of all? I don’t see Jesus putting conditions on this call, so I’m not sure where this leads me when considering a figure like Satan? Rabbit hole opened!

Pursue the Truth, Wherever the Breadcrumbs Lead

I mention a number of sacred and downright fascinating or “cool” beliefs and then follow them with a question: “Is that true?” Hopefully most people can pursue that question honestly. I’m giving it my best go to do just that. I sometimes feel the default answer is “Of course it is! End of story” OR that the question itself is actually met by anger and sometimes followed by insult. The question itself can be posed in a respectful honest way, and that’s what I’ve tried to do.

The question is not a judgement. But it does possibly open a rabbit hole of more questions. I find that to be the excitement of discovery and life. But I also realize some folks really struggle with this if they want an unchanging life of unmovable faith. Some don’t want “Is that true?” asked of sacred beliefs, and to prevent it, may even bury a number of diverse or undesired answers through protest, banning books, burning materials, labeling as “enemies” and discouraging any further conversation.

I ask this type of challenging question in this podcast episode and invite multiple perspectives to participate. You could easily apply it to many questions that inspire heated debates:

Is There a God? Pilgrimage Podcast Ep 02

I’m worried that if I need to be right, perhaps for the sake of comfort or security, I may not find the truth. Two respected Christian authors, C.S. Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia) and J.R.R.Tolkien (Lord of the Rings) adopted a different approach when they helped found the The Oxford Socratic Club which sought answers to these types of questions with this adopted motto from the philosopher Socrates: “Follow the argument, wherever it leads.”

My biggest goal is to pursue these questions in a peaceful, respectful way that doesn’t tear others down. It takes a special effort.

“If you’ll try with me, I’ll try with you.”

Thanks for reading and listening to ‘Is That True?”