Great? Or Not So Great?
A new round has begun in the culture war between "believers" and "non-believers" with the publishing of journalist Christopher Hitchens' book "God Is Not Great". A counter-attack by believers is already underway.
I could write a book on this subject, one that refutes both sides. But is another book what we really need? Will the problem be solved by books? Is "solving" it the real goal, or just the thrill of a good fight? As one who has written many an unkind word about religion, I also know that it will never be argued away, nor should it. Despite Mr. Hitchens assertion to the contrary, religion does not "poison everything". A lack of mental and emotional balance does.
Science is about power; the power to shape the material universe to our liking. All of science's attempts to "understand" the universe are a preliminary to trying to change it in some way. Examine the radioactive and carbon dioxide pollution of the earth, and you will see that science contributes plenty of poisoning of its own. Religion is also about power, whether the power to change your own life, or to control the agenda of government, and other people thru it. Power itself is ambiguous. It is neither good or evil, but, depending on the character of those who wield it, it can effect good or evil results. It is proverbial that power corrupts. History shows us that powerlessness corrupts also. It is Balance that is required.
Is electricity great? It is at running our gadgets, but don’t stand in its path, for then it is not so great. Is food great? Without it we are all dead, but without knowledge and moderation you can end up obese and miserable and in the hospital, because some of it is not great. Is rain great? We sure need it, but if you lose everything in a flood you wont think it is so great. Drugs are great, but addiction is not. Speaking of addiction, oil is great, but when it is gone and the hangover sets in, many will curse it.
Is intelligence great? You betcha! You wouldn’t be where you are right now without it. That may be good or bad. That's my point. It depends on the character that possesses it. A well-balanced person can wield intelligence for enormous benefit. An unstable person can wield it for destruction. Intelligence is power, and power in the right or wrong hands makes all the difference.
Is God great? What God are we talking about? There have been too many versions to count. Actually, it does not matter. A belief in itself is ambiguous. No theory of God can make a sane person become insane, or an irrational person become rational. Beliefs reflect the person who holds them. Good mental health refutes a violent approach to religion, and bad mental health can use any idea to justify mayhem and murder. Our culture does not so much face a choice between science or religion, but a choice between good and bad mental health.
What constitutes good mental health? With that question the debate can really begin. And as always, whether you work with science or religion or both, the primary directive remains the same: Know Thyself!
-Werbinox
I could write a book on this subject, one that refutes both sides. But is another book what we really need? Will the problem be solved by books? Is "solving" it the real goal, or just the thrill of a good fight? As one who has written many an unkind word about religion, I also know that it will never be argued away, nor should it. Despite Mr. Hitchens assertion to the contrary, religion does not "poison everything". A lack of mental and emotional balance does.
Science is about power; the power to shape the material universe to our liking. All of science's attempts to "understand" the universe are a preliminary to trying to change it in some way. Examine the radioactive and carbon dioxide pollution of the earth, and you will see that science contributes plenty of poisoning of its own. Religion is also about power, whether the power to change your own life, or to control the agenda of government, and other people thru it. Power itself is ambiguous. It is neither good or evil, but, depending on the character of those who wield it, it can effect good or evil results. It is proverbial that power corrupts. History shows us that powerlessness corrupts also. It is Balance that is required.
Is electricity great? It is at running our gadgets, but don’t stand in its path, for then it is not so great. Is food great? Without it we are all dead, but without knowledge and moderation you can end up obese and miserable and in the hospital, because some of it is not great. Is rain great? We sure need it, but if you lose everything in a flood you wont think it is so great. Drugs are great, but addiction is not. Speaking of addiction, oil is great, but when it is gone and the hangover sets in, many will curse it.
Is intelligence great? You betcha! You wouldn’t be where you are right now without it. That may be good or bad. That's my point. It depends on the character that possesses it. A well-balanced person can wield intelligence for enormous benefit. An unstable person can wield it for destruction. Intelligence is power, and power in the right or wrong hands makes all the difference.
Is God great? What God are we talking about? There have been too many versions to count. Actually, it does not matter. A belief in itself is ambiguous. No theory of God can make a sane person become insane, or an irrational person become rational. Beliefs reflect the person who holds them. Good mental health refutes a violent approach to religion, and bad mental health can use any idea to justify mayhem and murder. Our culture does not so much face a choice between science or religion, but a choice between good and bad mental health.
What constitutes good mental health? With that question the debate can really begin. And as always, whether you work with science or religion or both, the primary directive remains the same: Know Thyself!
-Werbinox
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