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For what it's worth, this is a biased description of the term "liberal". It's based on negative prejudice and reasoning upon it will end in a contradiction of reasoning.
I think I see the problem. The term liberal in the sentence above is an adjective, so it will be qualified by what it is describing. The term liberal infers liberty. 'Liberalism' does not equate with atheism or practicing sin, however, the term sometimes intends to imply a sentiment of liberty from religious dogma.
Your act of perception is a fully real event of course.
No, as people have mentioned, we do not directly apprehend reality. But I assume I'm not a brain in a vat or deluded by demons into perceiving something totally different from reality. Our senses give us a way to interrogate reality. We may be liable to optical illusions or other mistakes in perception, but with careful observations and thoughtfulness, we can piece together certain facts or truths about reality that are reliable. So that we feel justified in saying that it's not just true, but we know it is true.
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. Philip K. Dick
Our perceptions are an interpretation of reality. Some are demonstrably more accurate than others, but we don't have access to the entirety of truth. Considering the scope of our knowledge and the many ways that truth can be defined. I think objective reality nevertheless exists. Even if we only perceive parts of it.
You are a brain in a meat bag. Arguably similar to a brain in a vat. Each of us interprets reality through the lens of our own experience, culture, education, disposition, etc.
I've always liked this quote. Especially when applied to virtual reality.
I'll defer to the philosophers to untangle this properly, but I would look at it from this standpoint, with regards to Truth.
No. We can simply say, "This appears to be real, and - from a practical standpoint - if I act as if it is real, so far it continues to turn out as expected. I might as well continue acting as if it is real, until something happens to make me reconsider."
Are you aware of the arguments for and against solipsism?
