I do try to keep my deepest ponderings to myself since those that leak out through my fingertips seem to stifle, startle, perhaps offend.
For the last few years the idea of living and life, dying and death, mankind in general and mankind in its individual diversity–this and more–has been taking up much thinking time. Too much that demands an opinion demands seven rooms of research to allow for as thorough a knowledge as possible. That’s why I laugh at those who laugh at those who believe in God. How involved have they gotten into the theory of evolution, really? I’m certain that many have taken for fact what they’ve read in the issues of TIME or various articles with PhD in the credits and that’s about it. Well, me too; I trust to a certain degree that these things have been pretty well proven, but then as with all science, sometimes a new quirk shows up that throws the whole thing out of balance. Fortunately not so with religion; nothing proven/nothing disproven and so it ever shall be.
But it’s far, far easier to accept a new precept–especially with evidentiary value–than to toss decades of an unproven God out the window. It’s a more personal thing–or maybe so with the Christian religion, in particular, Catholicism. If you want to pooh-pooh scientific theory, who’s there to know you secretly think it’s a crock? I’ve always questioned God and I’ve always questioned evolution. I mean, if there is a God, why doesn’t he…..? If man evolved from ape, then why do apes still exist? Shouldn’t another branch of them learned at least to talk by now, if not invent the jet plane or at least "ape" us in making one? But I kind of keep these ideas to myself ’cause they sound dopey–though I did find a link this morning about the ape thing, though on a much higher level than my simple query. And chimps that can be taught to type don’t count.
So in each path of thought there is relevance and degrees to which what you believe influences how you behave toward others, towards the idea of mortality, towards grabbing the last cream-filled cupcake.
So much to think about.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology
I recently read the Dalai Lama’s book, The Universe In A Single Atom. He has a lifelong interest in science, and that book explores the gaps and meeting places between religion and science, in what I found to be a thoughtful and profound treatise. While Buddhists don’t believe in a personal God, per se, it was interesting to read how a religious leader views science that sometimes threatens long held beliefs and at other times seems to support them. Granted, Buddhism is one of the least dogmatic religions, so he tends to be much more flexible toward science than some other religious leaders.
I personally see science as exploring the underpinnings, materials, and physical characteristics of the same great work of art (the Universe) that religious leaders and philosophers explore the ideas and impulses behind. Both, at their best, explore the best ways to live within that Great Work. To me they mesh perfectly, when greed, dogma, and power plays don’t get in the way. But then I don’t have a set religious belief to try to fit everything into. I think the more set in concrete one’s beliefs are, in either science or spiritual teachings, the more difficult it is to see the common ground and bridge the gaps. Flexibility is important, and we already know some of the greatest scientific discoveries were results of either accidents or imagination. Einstein considered imagination more important than learning:
“I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”
Many great philosophers and religious figures have thought the same. I personally believe that the most important way we’re made in a Creator’s image is that we are creative ourselves. It’s that very imaginative nature that can enable us to be flexible and love the mystery of life, rather than trying to impose steadfast answers on others.
Very well put and an excellent philosophy to live by. By acknowledging imagination as a key, openmindedness automatically follows through every door that’s opened.
I feel that both religious teachings and scientific studies are to be faced best with a bit of skepticism rather than an all-embracing attitude. Knowing both sides of an argument is the best way to make an informed decision and that’s why I reserve statement on many things that I haven’t had time to delve into from all directions in and out. My faiing is in not prioritizing and organizing the data I need to absorb.