Whew Dan! You’re trying to piss everyone off! Good 😊
You’re practicing your philosophy. You are trying to be that external check to self-assurance and self-righteousness that you warn about in this article. I get it, and you’re right to point out this “stumbling blocks” as one might say.
I wouldn’t discount the inward search, though. It is valid and I’m sure many others have responded with reasons why. Yet once we have our externally sourced truth, how is it validated? What measuring stick of truth and meaning do we have other than ourselves? What if there is no internal or external? What if you saw all as God sees? I’d wager God uses Himself as a measuring stick too. And if we are to be in His image and participate in the divine process of Creation… Well, these are just my questions and I have no idea how to answer them outside of myself other than researching to see if I’m the only one thinking these things, and I’m gratefully not.