Saturday, April 12, 2014

On Randomness, the existence of a God(dess), and other light subjects

I stand with the thinkers who, when they hear religion discussed/professed, twitch and bite their lips because THIS is a subject off limits to the 'non-believer'.  We are told, in words and in deeds, that to challenge the popular though, someone's beliefs is, well, off limits.

To me this is made more difficult knowing that, should a candidate for a job or a public office, tell us that she/he accepts on faith that Elvis lives, well, the people who profess a belief in an un-see-able god for which no credible evidence exists, would snicker and vote NO...perhaps even make a little circling motion near their ear to indicate their true feelings for the 'Elvis Believer'.

Ok.  Hold your hand up...  Who thinks I'm making a case here for the fact that ELVIS LIVES?

The one interesting argument for the existence of a god, (once we've set aside the Bible or other writings of man as clearly NOT the word of god), is the existence of 'order' in nature.  "How could", a true believer offers "all this beauty and order form randomly?  And what of the thought that it MUST have a maker to start it all".   Any straight thinker ought to be able to arrive at the realization that the only plausible answer IS random order.  Why, I ask you, is it somehow easier to say things couldn't just start, and therefore ascribe this thing I can't understand to something like a Creator, thereafter resigning myself that the creator's beginning is uncomprehending, requiring faith without explanation?

The world I was raised in made me a religious young boy, taught by very, very human people;  none of them scientists or particularly deep thinkers.  All of them guided by the principle that there are things that are unquestionable, by pain of damnation of the soul for eternity.  What a marvelous basis on which to perpetuate a belief; no challenges allowed that do not 'prove the existence of God'.  What a completely child like people are we to be lead without questioning.

Think.  Reason.  These are things we can do.  No Almighty Being could (or would) forbid us from them.  We must use these tools to guide our lives, or live forever in war and ignorance...ultimately for no reason at all.

Derive your sense of purpose from life, not fables.  Be brave...  Face the world eyes wide open.  See the wonder that is...randomness.

Bend in the River

Bend in the River
Metolius River very near its Source - Fall 2005