MORE ABOUT THE BEGINNING
I hadn’t intended to write a follow-up — much less a serious one — to ABOUT THE BEGINNING (my last post), but after thought-provoking comments by Don Frankel and Michaeline, I had to face the soul-searching question, “Am I a muse or a mouse?” The answer is a squeaker, but I decided to face the muse-ic and go where mice-men fear to tread. So let’s go back to, oh, About The Beginning.
That title, of course, referred to the coming into existence of the universe. In that post, the words after WHAT ATHEISTS BELIEVE proclaimed the nonexistence of a creator, i.e. the “Nothing” that “makes sense”….as opposed to the revealed creator, the biblical God of believers. For me, neither scenario passes the smell test. Here’s why:
It is said that man cannot live without his illusions. Perhaps that is not entirely a bad thing….if the alternative is unbearable. If you don’t know what you don’t know, perhaps illusion is the saving compensation. That, to me, largely explains the “revealed” God of religion. But if that need for “faith in a power stronger than ourselves” (to quote Michaeline) is as subject to perversion as any other human want, is it not also a force for good? In any case, that’s a proposition that is beside the question here; a fairy tale is still a fairy tale no matter how benevolent. The greatest saint in history has either gone on to eternal life or not, irrespective of his or her faith. We cannot believe our way into what may not exist.
The atheist’s position is a different kind of challenge….not in an adversarial sense, because this isn’t a debating contest, but a reality search, no matter where the search leads….even if the reality turns out to be beyond human reach. Certitude, in such a case, is for dogmatists….which atheists are not above, in my view. Barring absolute proof, how is certainty that there is no god any less dogmatic than certainty that there is?
Don refers to “idea[s] in Physics” (such as the search for a theoretical “God particle,” which is beyond my pay grade and perhaps beyond finding). A less pie-in-the-sky idea in Physics is the Big Bang Theory, which (to my unscientific mind) is entirely plausible, but which addresses only the means (how the universe was created), not what was behind the means….or behind the scenes, for the more theatrical-minded among you.
As a creative writer, I can’t get my head around creation without a creator. This post didn’t write itself, and I can’t see a universe creating itself, no matter how miniscule the brain behind these words or the particle that exploded into a universe. But then there’s always the question, who created the creator? Whence cometh God? Ah. That calls for another theory. Here’s mine (it’s probably not original, but what do you want for nothing, as an atheist might say):
There is no such thing as time outside of creation. The creator has always existed. But that doesn’t necessarily mean human beings have souls which will pass into that timeless realm after death. Then why did the creator bother? What’s the point? As the late vocalist Peggy Lee asked, Is that all there is? We may never know.
Presumably, a creator who created and sanctions such misery and suffering as is our lot on earth would be the same “person” our souls would be at the whim of in an afterlife. Of course, many of us are fortunate enough in this life to experience more than enough love and empathy to offset the madness. Based on this mixed bag of a creation, can it’s creator be other than a mixed bag?
I guess we’ll find out soon enough….or not.
arekhill1 11:46 am on March 14, 2015 Permalink |
Sr. Muse, you fail to mention the Big Toot Theory of the Beginning, which was that our universe was blown out of the rear of some hyperdimensional bovine in another, better universe. I’m grateful for that, because it gives me a chance to mention it.
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mistermuse 12:16 pm on March 14, 2015 Permalink |
That’s one of the things I like about you, Ricardo – you don’t give a toot, even though the universe may have. Not to toot my own horn, but I’ve become quite a big tooter in my old age.
P.S. Unlike the other two positions in the second paragraph of my post, the Big Toot Theory definitely passes the smell test.
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ladysighs 1:01 pm on March 14, 2015 Permalink |
I won’t say many but know there are more than a dozen nonbelievers that don’t give a toot what others believe. So what’s the big fuss? The fuss comes when ideas are pushed on us and our lives are controlled by these ideas. đŸ˜¦
(nothing new)
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mistermuse 1:34 pm on March 14, 2015 Permalink |
Well, that’s the holy terror of religion, isn’t it: trying to force the belief on others that only their sect, denomination or cause knows the will of God and has all the answers. As for nonbelievers who don’t give a toot what others believe, that’s no skin off my nose (but I would hope they care about something).
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Michaeline Montezinos 6:25 pm on March 14, 2015 Permalink |
Having been the skeptic practitioner of two religions, I think that I do not need doctrines or directives on how to live my life. I believe if a person has tried and suceeded in living a life that suits her abilities and needs, then that life is to be enjoyed to the very end. What may or may not come after is not worthy of my conjecture. Actually, I think that dead is dead and there is no going forward or backward.
What is the creator if there is one? Some people are still wondering what actually happened. My question is, does all this speculation actually make a difference in our daily lives? I have always felt a connection with others regardless of their station in life. I have tried to share whatever I had with those less fortunate. Living life to it fullest is more important to me than wondering about the philosophy behind it.
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mistermuse 7:55 pm on March 14, 2015 Permalink |
Philosophy admittedly isn’t everyone’s cup of poison hemlock, and far be it from me to criticize those who don’t have a taste for it….but I think it’s safe to say the world would be a much poorer place without history’s great philosophers. Though such thinking may not make a difference in most daily lives, even Jesus reportedly said, “Man does not live by bread alone” (though according to the bible, he had God, not philosophy, in mind when he said it),
At any rate, one of the implied takeaways from my post is that “all this speculation” makes no difference whatsoever in what (if anything) happens AFTER this life. Nonetheless, for those who can’t help but think about it, I can relate (more often than not, with tongue in cheek).
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Don Frankel 2:13 pm on March 15, 2015 Permalink |
Muse I think you’ve turned this up, down and sideways as much as anyone ever could. I just don’t think there’s any definitive answer to any abstract concept. The human mind can only do what it does and it can’t do that.
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mistermuse 3:15 pm on March 15, 2015 Permalink |
Thanks, Don. You’ve pretty well summed it up. Between writing this post, the last post and the comments, I feel like I’ve been working on this for six days and it’s time to rest. Conveniently enough, it’s Sunday.
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Sam373 11:11 am on March 23, 2015 Permalink |
The problem with these questions is that the created although created in the image of the creator, limits itself and thus limits that which created it, he or she.
Consider this, life is a school where one learns what one does not know. Life as we know it may be but a moment of eternity. But what can the student learn if the student refuses to consider the possibilites.
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mistermuse 12:52 pm on March 23, 2015 Permalink |
Regarding your first point, irrespective of how the created “limits itself,” I would suggest to you that the created is intrinsically limited – at least, in this life. For example, the created has a limited lifespan, limited powers and limited mental and physical capabilities….and is therefore limited in the extent to which it is “created in the image of the creator.” We can hope for an eternal afterlife in which all that is wrong is made right, but who knows?
As for the rest, I would amend the first sentence of your second paragraph to “life is a school where one SHOULD LEARN what one does not know,” for not only do some “refuse to consider the possibilities,” but many are never granted the opportunity….such as those who die or are killed in infancy, are born with severe brain damage, or are raised brainwashed in circumstances from which they cannot escape even if they knew they were brainwashed.
Nonetheless, I respect your thinking and appreciate your thoughts.
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Sam373 2:16 pm on March 23, 2015 Permalink
The Creator is Spirit and we are in his image and likeness Will continue forever.
That spritual part of us gives life to this flesh. This physical existence is temporary and I believe one of many classes.
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mistermuse 3:54 pm on March 23, 2015 Permalink |
Far be it from me to try to persuade you that what you say about “continuing forever” is only belief rather than knowledge, because I am no more convinced that it is false than I am that it is true. I only know that I do not know. That is why I am neither an atheist nor religious (unless you call being honest with oneself and believing in empathy and love “religious”).
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Sam373 6:26 pm on March 23, 2015 Permalink |
Honesty is the begining of trust.
Religion is to do anything consistantly, right?
Belief in a one God concept is an individule’s decision; regardless of others pro &/or cons.
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mistermuse 7:43 pm on March 23, 2015 Permalink |
Well, I wouldn’t define religion that way unless meant in a non-religious sense; for example: I am very religious (conscientious & consistent) about responding to comments to my posts.
As for the rest, if you’ll pardon the pun, I’m having a devil of a time imagining who could disagree.
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Sam373 8:41 am on March 24, 2015 Permalink |
If i may, I have a lot of respect for you for even intertainig these conversations.
Religion is what many, most of us do; but the creator requires relationship.
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mistermuse 1:10 pm on March 24, 2015 Permalink |
The respect is mutual, but relationship with creator seems to be anything but mutual….at least, not in any non-delusional way. Yes, many have claimed to have communicated with God – anyone can claim that, and even believed it – but God has never communicated with me, and if someone were to claim that’s because I’ve never been open to Him, I would say two things: 1. How do you know that? and 2. I was once a practicing Christian – give me a break!
I don’t mean to be flip, but “mutual” means “mutual.” If God “requires relationship,” He knows where I am (not vice versa) – how is it not up to Him to start the relationship; not just with me, but with every human who has ever existed? We’ve been around for tens of thousands of years – what is He waiting for? How much longer do humans have to kill each other over their conflicting beliefs that God has made himself and/or His will known to them or their prophets?
No, my friend, I’m afraid that if there is ever to be a REAL relationship, it will be in the next life – if there is a next life. And, as I suggested at the end of my post, the nature of such a relationship is problematic in more ways than one.
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Sam373 5:43 pm on March 24, 2015 Permalink |
The creator has communicated with me a number of times but not as often as I WOULD LIKE.
too often to my requests the response as not what I wanted to hear. Nevertheless, I am persuaded.
I am a follower of your writings.
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mistermuse 8:22 pm on March 24, 2015 Permalink |
It sounds as if I have succeeded in my intention not to be a proselytizer to my way of looking at things. I wish you the best.
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barkinginthedark 12:58 am on August 29, 2018 Permalink |
okay…this is a question i have pondered…physicists all agree that the universe is expanding…yes? So – what is it expanding INTO? continue…
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mistermuse 9:26 am on August 29, 2018 Permalink |
Into the continuing great unknown. If that be a copout of an answer, so be it — a better answer is beyond my pay grade. Good question, though.
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