2 Bites of the Apple

After much forethought and some apprehension, I’ve decided to come right out and tell you what I suspect may be the case, as touching on any other-worldly meaning that might help us to rationalize our apparently singular existence here, in this particular corner of the cosmos.

If I am hesitant at all in putting this forward, it’s because I recognize the fact that any attempt to arrive at meaning, lies completely outside of the locus of scientific inquiry or even higher logic. It’s more like a concept, born of intuition, that gives structure to an idea formed somewhere in the imagination. And, in answer to a question that gnaws at some of us, with a hunger that demands to be quieted or fed, but that lies quite outside our mortal talent and ability to ever fully grasp. And if that isn’t murky enough, I base the following solely on my own experience and intuition:

First off, I am innately tuned to an inner reality that accepts reincarnation as part and parcel of a growing process – not to eventually become god-like, but rather more humane and human-like. I could relate my earliest experience of intuiting this, while still a toddler in diapers. But for now, I’ll move on:

I’m also convinced that we’re not all here for the same reason – to learn exactly the same things.

Some of us came here willingly, though no doubt blithely unaware of our inability to psychologically or emotionally extricate ourselves from this enmeshing reality that we find ourselves in. While many of us, I dare say most of us, are not here of our own free will at all, but have been sent here – given a Life sentence, if you will – to become grist in this mill that devours us all, and from which we all graduate, with varying accounts of honor and dishonor, when we die.

And that, following sufficient reflection and review, we return again to this, or other worlds, in an ongoing process of learning from this living experience – one that may go on for an eternity for some of us.

And through it all, we’re not allowed to peer behind or beyond the veil, to know what judgements were made, or sentences handed out, by the tribunals that weigh such cases. Nor do we carry forward any direct knowledge of our previous lives. But that we start out with our outlook and personalities imprinted with whatever small amounts of multifarious inner truths we have managed to accrue, as well as many of those unresolved issues and fears, that initially handicap many of us in our efforts to learn and grow.

It’s an existential process, that doesn’t particularly depend on our willingness to learn. Hence, one of the main reasons that I believe we have for being here, and that most of us manage to accomplish quite well – to make utter fools of ourselves. So that following our departure from this venue, we and those others, will be able to see and evaluate our actions in the full light of knowledge, and be able to grimace with scornful sorrow and regret at positions taken in this life, for holding ourselves above and superior to each other. And in particular, for some of the ridiculous reasons and excuses we found, in denying our brothers and sisters equal love, justice and protection, under the color of some self-professed and self-serving truth.

This also points to the main reason that, though there are many paths, leading to the river of knowledge, there’s not a one that hasn’t been perverted and exploited by the self-serving of every ilk, in order to attract like minded individuals to the whirlpools of hatred, depraved indifference, and the murderous exploitation of those they oppose and oppress.

Thus the most radical, and particularly violent, of all religious groups will likely be found to have co-opted and skewed the teachings of their various founding mentors and sages. And as currently practiced, would be an embarrassment, if even recognized by many of their founders.

The fact is, that we are here to find our own path to enlightenment. And it’s not accomplished by swearing allegiance to any proffered belief in any particular religion. Indeed, we should be looking to learn from each others truths, instead of fighting over who’s are right. It’s an internal pilgrimage leading to the discovery of truth, by often taciturn people, that continues in humility and putting into actual practice, the precepts of the golden rule. But one that can lead to personal discoveries never touched on, by more unaware folks, who allow themselves to be continually distracted and embroiled in the day to day affairs of this world.

Finally, do I find it at all useful, in dealing with the day to day affairs of this life? Any utility comes from helping to inform my sensibilities regarding underlying issues, and provides a far less judgemental perspective, when it comes to decisions grounded in the empirical realities of this life.

Please note that I don’t put this forward as any diety’s plan for man. These are views from the unshuttered windows of one mans mind. As I’ve indicated before, it’s my view that if there ever has been any god-like intelligence, or prime mover, that could possibly claim authorship for either our purpose or existence, then we are obliged to infer that, for whatever reason, we have been marooned here – intentionally left with no direct knowledge or ability to know. And not only that, but recognize that the very concept of diety has never the less been left behind, almost like the Cheshire Cat’s grin, to serve as a sort of a towering hobgoblin of babble, for the confusion, and delusion, of the minds of men.

There’s got to be a damn good reason for that, or else it’s one hell of a long way to go, just to rationalize against any possibility that maybe we’re just being stupid. After all, we have to ask ourselves: What would Occam say?

I’ll end this post with the opening lines from the 2nd Epistle of his Essay on Man, by the 18th century poet, Alexander Pope (1688 – 1744):

“Know then thyself, presume not god to scan,

The proper study of mankind is man.”

Let me know what you think.

 At the risk of appearing disingenuous in the eyes of anyone on either side of this argument, or to those who have read any of my previous posts, here is the subject I wish to broach:

In the lively contest between religious believers and atheists, why are so many atheists succumbing to the siren song of certitude, that’s been the hallmark of virtually every religious belief system in the world, by calling on their like-minded colleagues to come out, and declare their belief in atheism?

 And please don’t claim an abuse of semantics here, on my part.  Does it mean anything different if folks are being asked to declare their atheist-ism?

In good conscience, how can men of science declare belief in anything, beyond the tried and true, empirically tested concept of the scientific method?

Isn’t it enough, that we define the very idea of god out of existence, as having no demonstrable force or effect that we can observe or measure, over the forces of nature, or the affairs of man?  And therefore afford divine or other-worldly ideas no standing, in our rational attempts to understand and work with the world that we live in?

Being given no place at the table of reason, when it comes to determining and governing the affairs of man, is both a reasoned and reasonable position, that any person of science, or the scientific method, can take.

What possible good reason do we have to jump up and spackle over that barest pinhole of possibility that ‘something might exist,’ in form or fashion, that can claim any authorship of purpose or design for the existence of ourselves or the world that we live in?

Because, just as religionists are rightly challenged in their presumption of declaring the realm of all things unseen or unknown as belonging to the exclusive realm of god, the answer to the question doesn’t automatically default to the atheists claim that there is no god.  They simply haven’t demonstrated that yet.

The fact is, the essential question of god lies well within the locus of men of science and the scientific method, and is not the exclusive turf of the religiously deluded.

Besides, the very idea of god is so ethereal and undefined, like trying to imagine the edge of space, that it probably should be left as a mental construct and conundrum for men to puzzle over.

So, am I an atheist? That depends on how you’re looking to define it.  However, I’ve worked very hard all my life, at sometimes great personal cost, to remove myself from labels, and from being labeled.  Somehow it gives people the idea that they can talk to you like they know you.  So I’m not all that hot on the idea of slapping another one on just now.

What I am comfortable with, is letting anyone know, who might wonder, that what I am is a secular humanistic philosopher and iconoclast, a seeker and speaker of the truth, and a man of the cloth of science.  I’m also a borderline Deist – one who believes that god, if there is one, has left us to our own devices here; that we are on our own to figure it out and make sense out of it all, which is probably the greatest gift any actual god could bestow on us (think about it).

 And in answer to the default question most often asked by people seeking guidance from their god of choice (you know the one), “Well if there is no god, what are we left with?”, I say, and this goes for believers and atheists alike, that what we are left with, is each other.  That’s right, so get used to it.  Quit trying to distance yourselves from each other, by coming up with new and novel ways to other each other.

The fact is, we’re all here “doing life.”  And in the school of life, you can spend your time leaning on your elbow while staring out the window, and daydreaming about life in some other place and time, without all these other pesky people in it.  Or, you can sit up and look around.  Because, if you look long and hard enough, what you will see is your own humanity looking back at you, from out of each other’s eyes.

Which brings me to the other side of this bent coin – or at least a peak around the edge, to see what’s going on with the other side.

That’s next.