Spiritual Perspectives
The Triple Filter Test

By Jane Fillmore
Special to The Independent

A story, attributed to Socrates, found its way to my e-mail in-box several weeks ago. Whether or not it is factually accurate (how can one verify what Socrates did or did not say?) may be in doubt. However, the ideas expressed are full of truth and timeless.

In ancient Greece, Socrates was reputed to hold knowledge in high esteem. It is said that one day an acquaintance met the great philosopher and said, "Do you know what I just heard about your friend?"

"Wait a minute," Socrates replied." Before telling me anything, I'd like you to pass a little test. I call it The Triple Filter Test."

"Triple Filter?" the acquaintance puzzled.

"That's right," Socrates continued." Before you talk to me about my friend, I'm going to ask you to filter what you wish to say three times."

The first filter is TRUTH. Have you made absolutely sure that, to the best of your knowledge, what you are about to tell me is true?"

"No," the man said. "Actually, I just heard about it and..."

"All right," said Socrates, cutting short his words. "So you don't really know if it's true or not."

"The second filter is GOODNESS. Is what you wish to tell me about my friend something good?"

"No, on the contrary..."

"So," Socrates continued, interrupting the man, "you want to tell me something bad about my friend, but you're not certain it is true. You may still pass the test, however, because the third filter is that of USEFULNESS. Is what you want to tell me going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really," said the acquaintance.

"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither true, nor good, and is not something useful, why tell it to me at all?"

Scriptural Cautions
There may be times when sharing information which we cannot verify as truthful and which definitely paints a less than kind picture may be necessary, but I can't think of many. The scriptures abound with counsel regarding how we should and should not speak of and about one another.

In the ninth of the Ten Commandments God exhorts: "Thou shalt not bear false witness." (Exodus 20:16)

"He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness."(Proverbs 12:17)

"Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles."(Proverbs 21:23)

The "preacher" in Ecclesiastes 3:7 advised that "...there is a time to keep silence, and a time to speak." Notice that the admonition is to first keep silence and then, when the time is right, to speak.

The Apostle Matthew warned of the consequences of speaking wrongfully when he said: "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."(Matthew 12:36-37)

The Apostle James urged: "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."(James 1:19). Perhaps if we listen first (i.e. quickly) and are hesitant to speak (advancing our own views and opinions) we will, as a consequence, be slow to wrath or anger. For those struggling with controlling their anger, I think this advice is worth a try!

Again, the caution of Matthew is repeated by James: "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." (James 1:26). We bridle our tongue the same way we bridle an animal: we utilize a device (in the case of an animal a halter) to enable us to control it. If we want our religious beliefs to be meaningful in our lives and not useless, we must learn to control what we speak. Eventually this can lead to controlling our thoughts. If our thoughts are full of truth, goodness and usefulness, our speech will then reflect our kind thoughts. Bridles are not necessary for those who have learned to love and follow the voice of the shepherd (the Savior).

Jane Fillmore's Note: Leave-taking is always bittersweet. It will be wonderful to be home and close to our children and grandchildren. However, we have come to love and appreciate the good people of this community and we will miss our association with them. We have especially appreciated those in the faith communities and in the social service agencies with whom we have been associated in a group called GALLUP CARES! We thank them for their friendship and their willingness to work to make this city a better place for all of its citizens. These people speak the truth in kindness for the good of those they seek to help. We admire them and value their friendship.

Jane Fillmore has been a college professor for 25 years (currently retired) and has a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy. She and her husband, Barry, have served as full-time missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Gallup area for the last 18 months. Their missionary service has ended and they have returned to their home in Utah. Someone else will be writing subsequent columns representing the perspective of the "Mormons."

This column is the result of a desire by community members, representing different faith communities, wishing to share their ideas about bringing a spiritual perspective into our daily lives and community issues.

For information about contributing a guest column, contact Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola at the Independent: (505) 863-8611, ext. 218 or lizreligion01@yahoo.com.