Question 1 : Does god exist?

I’m so lost and directionless the only thing I can find with any substance to use as a starting point is that most famous of phrases ‘Let there be light’…

There are only 2 tools I have available to help me find a reasonable answer to this question.

1. Empirical evidence (knowledge through experience), i.e. 1 + 1 = 2
2. Logical reasoning (the most likely answer) i.e. 1 + ? = 2

Empirical evidence

Every human that has ever lived can be roughly divided into those that believe in a god/s, higher entity, first mover, and those who don’t.

As far as ‘I know’, not a single person throughout the course of recorded history has provided a shred of evidence that can be scientifically verified as proof that god either exists or doesn’t.

Logical reasoning

If humanity is not (at present) able to either categorically prove or disprove god’s existence the next thing to look at is why so many people believe there is a god in the first place.

Faith: all you need to do is look at the symmetry and construction of the universe around you to see that there must be an (as of yet) unseen force guiding everything in creation.

Science: the symmetry and construction of the universe is quite simply the natural result of billions of years of evolution.

Faith: it’s impossible for me to explain but I can ‘feel’ and ‘see’ the hand of the creator in every aspect of my life.

Science: cultural anthropology has shown that all societies have a ‘fundamental need’ to create a reason why we are here resulting in the ‘man made’ creation of the many different, and often conflicting ‘supreme entity’ and ‘creation’ stories.

Faith: the thought that death really is the end, and the ‘essence’ of everything that comprises ‘me’ as an individual ceases to exists is simply too terrible to accept, for if this is true, there is no point to ‘anything’.

Science: simply wanting something to be true is not enough no matter how many people believe it, there must be some form of evidence which at the very least, points towards the ‘possible’ existence of a guiding intelligence.

In search of god

Using questions and answers it first appears to be ‘Faith vs Science’. If looked at closely however it becomes obvious that science isn’t denying the existence of god at all, it is simply doing what it’s designed to do, and looking for evidence and answers that will ultimately empower all of humanity.

So if science is in the process of looking for god (as would appear to be the case now) how is it possible to ‘know’ the ‘unknown’ ?

Gravity

As an invisible but all powerful force surrounding us gravity is a good ‘simplistic’ example for us to use, particularly since gravity isn’t an ‘invention’ but a ‘discovery’ only made possible when Sir Isaac Newton gave us the tools needed to first find, then study it in 1666.  Before this time of course, even though the average person had no concept that gravity was a ‘definable force’, everyone was aware of an ‘all powerful something’ keeping everything on the ground.  It was ‘unseen’ but most definitely ‘there’ as an inescapable part of the natural order of things.  So if we replace the word ‘gravity’ with ‘atoms’, ‘quantum mechanics’, or ‘god’ we can see that science is constantly taking a ‘leap of faith’ and working from the assumption ‘there is no smoke without fire’.

Following this line of reasoning we can see that humanity is at a stage of development where we can finally look past the blind unquestioning faith created in an age when most people thought the world was flat, and for the first time, wholeheartedly look at the question ‘is there a god’ without the shackles of religious dogma seeking to hinder, or stop us in our search for the truth as we are all ‘ultimately ‘born to do.

Using this extremely simplistic reasoning I can only conclude that the scales of belief are slowly balancing towards god and accept that the answers (if any), are to be found in the far distant future.  The only thing I do know with any certainty is that my own death will (hopefully) provide me with the opportunity necessary to verify either way who is right and who is wrong long before science gets there…

A question of relevance…?

So here I am, no closer to knowing the answer to the ‘big question’ than I was than when I first started.  But here, contained within the un-refutable truth that we quite simply ‘don’t know’ and more than likely ‘won’t know’, I have found a signpost pointing to a ‘path’ that has far greater relevance and impact to ‘me’, in my world, right here, right now than the ‘path’ I have currently reached the end of…

‘As the ‘god’ question is for all intents and purposes unanswerable, exactly how much time should I spend thinking about, and preparing for something that will really only have any effect on me once my mortal time here is gone?’

…and for the first time I find myself at a juncture where both Faith and Science agree (albeit from opposite sides of the fence), that belief in god is a lot like having an insurance policy for the afterlife, with the payments being regular worship, the occasional donation and most importantly, a commitment the ‘enlightened’ have to make to follow the ‘faiths’ rules and be a ‘good person’, with the added incentive ‘clause’ being exclusion from heaven if they don’t.

However, religion hasn’t cornered the market in ‘good people’ by any stretch of the imagination, and if a person is quite simply ‘good’ using the innate sense of right and wrong that we are all born with to guide us, wouldn’t this be enough to gain entry into a ‘heavenly’ like afterlife without having to make a commitment to just ‘one’ religion?  Imagine spending a lifetime worshipping Jesus only to find out that Ra was in charge…

So, if I now follow this ‘path’ and it ‘actually helps me’ to live as a good, happy, useful member of society, the ‘god’ question (although still important) has nowhere near as much importance to ‘me’ as the question “what makes me happy?”

Christmas eve…

I don’t know how exactly it’s been happening, but over the past few months a distinct feeling of ‘uneasiness’ has crept into my thoughts like a thief, slowly but surely stealing my sense of ‘well being’ piece by piece, and leaving me feeling increasingly distant, unattached, cold.

“What has been waiting for me in my dreams all these years?”

“Behind the door in your dreams is the dark chaos of your own soul, a reminder of what we are ‘all’ capable of if left unchecked, it is the opposing force to the light of harmony, and the tension between the two creates the energy that drives ‘all sentient life’ forward.”

I have been having these ‘night visitations’ three or four times a year for as long as I can remember.  Each time waking up bathed in sweat, crying in terror and feeling lucky I survived another attack from this evil, malevolent entity.  His answer brings a profound sense of relief as the realisation settles in that it was simply me, frightening myself, nothing more, nothing less…  I have no more questions now, I just want to go home.

“Can this end now please” I ask.

“Yes, but I have one last thing to share with you…”

He turns, looks directly at me, and the universe itself seems to hold its breath before he finally speaks.

“Consider the importance of the ‘things you ask for’, are they the things you actually want?”

“Consider the importance of the ‘things you want’, for are they the things you actually need?”

“Finally, consider the importance of ‘what you actually need’, for this is where you will find true, and lasting happiness…”

Even if all of this is just a crazy dream and I wake up and the memories slowly fade away like most of them do.  Right here, right now, I can’t help but have a deep feeling of empathy with this ‘angel’ before me… “Lucifer, before this ends I’d like to say… I’d like to say thank you.”  I’m not sure if its my imagination, but he ‘almost’ seems to smile as everything before me slowly disappears like mist, revealing what I used to consider to be ‘the real world’ behind it…

Anna stirs from her sleep, looks at me and says “You had that dream again?…”

“What happens when you die?”

“A guide will come at the moment of transition, when a soul is balanced between mortality and death.  For most, this will take the form of a loved one.  Those at the gates of ‘Oblivion’ will be taken by what humanity call the ‘Grim Reaper’ or as you now know it, a ‘Feeder’.  But there is a much greater truth to be found within your question, and it must be understood that death has two paths.  For those moving towards harmony, it is simply the transition of an ‘eternal soul’ into pure energy.  Another step closer to god.  For those about to enter Hell, it means they no longer have the capacity the evolve and ‘death’ truly is, the end.”

“Do we have a certain fate or destiny that we can, or need to fulfil during the course of our time?”

“The concept of ‘destiny’ is closely linked to the concept of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ luck.  Neither exist and are the words people use to inspire themselves on to greatness, or excuse themselves for failure.  Humanity still has to rid itself of uncertainness in its own abilities, feelings of unworthiness in its place as the dominate species on earth, and of the belief that it is living on borrowed time, just waiting for extinction.

The truth is this type of doubt becomes a self fulfilling prophecy making the ‘hard to do’, ‘harder to do’, and absolves one of failure through lack of proper preparation or action.  Perversely it also dulls the sense of achievement that one truly deserves when they succeed because of a feeling ‘luck was on their side’ this time.  The decisions an individual makes at the end of the day are their ‘own’ decisions, and the effects of those choices are a result of the situation at that moment in time without any form of ‘divine intervention’ positive or negative.”

Its odd, but everything I’m being told is strangely liberating, and for the first time in my life I’m starting to feel that my free will is not like a leaf being blown around in the wind.  I take a few minutes to absorb what’s been said then consider my next question.  “So where do souls go when they return to a state of pure energy,” I finally ask.

“There is a place in creation halfway between god and the realm of mortality.  I’ll show you…”

“Why didn’t god simply create a universe in harmony?” I ask. Why have so much pain and suffering in the world. Why have so much hate and anger. Why must the innocent suffer?”

“If you have never cried tears of the deepest sorrow then you will never cry tears of overwhelming happiness.  If your greatest needs have never been met then you will never appreciative being without need.  Gods greatest gift to life is the darkness of pain, suffering and want, for it provides a measure to gauge ones happiness against, and the motivation necessary to drive all living things towards the light of harmony.”