Mikebits
Well-Known Member
I have pondered my existence on several occasions, and each time I come up with more questions and less answers. I would like to think of myself as someone who has an exceptional gift, and is one who could answer the questions that have plagued mankind for centuries.
Unfortunately I have discovered that I no more have answers than anyone else. How arrogant of me to even contemplate such issues as mankind's purpose or meaning.
In my moments where I felt closest to being enlightened, I have concluded that the answer may not have an answer, as man may be a mere happenstance. Mere chance of the right molecules combining at the right time and the right place may have been what started this thing called humankind.
Try for a moment if you will, to set aside your preconceived notions, and your innate fear of the unknown to consider that humankind was nothing more than pure chance, and we are nothing more than the inevitable result of molecular evolution.
Raised a Catholic, I find it difficult to even consider the things that have caused me such ponderous thoughts, but I cannot deny these thoughts, and leaving them in the untold secrets of my mind does not relieve me of these things that have wandered through my conscience thought. I therefore find my self with a dilemma where I question my existence, and the existence of a divine being.
It is hard for me to have faith in something that I have never seen and simply to believe because I have been taught to do so. I am no different than anyone else; the thought of a paradise, a nirvana after death is a much better idea than to simply die into nothingness.
Despite the unthinkable, the question remains as to our true existence, and to what will our end bring? We as a species are so beautiful in what we can accomplish; some of mankind's creations seem to be no less than divine as there splendor and beauty gives the sense of nothing beneath divinity. Could such creations present themselves to mere conglomerations of molecules? How can we not question this; however, as our own science begins to reveal truths that are testimonies of the untruths that have been passed down for so many generations.
History books bring mention of ancient religious beliefs as nothing more than myths conjured in the minds of primitive peoples seeking explanation for that which they did not understand. How then can we claim our religious beliefs are the divine truths that mankind has sought throughout its life long journey. What has our religion revealed where others have failed? Could our arrogance blind us into believing that indeed we are of divine creation? Perhaps, or maybe ancient scholars were gifted with divine insight, and this gift was lost millennia ago. Possibly this is our divine creators punishment to the world for its arrogance and depravity. I question that which was taught to me, and I was expected to believe without question.
So why then should I proceed with these thoughts, when most assuredly they will go unanswered, and I may face a doom of unimaginable suffering and sorrow? I am of the belief that it is the contemplation, and quest for answers and truths that have set mankind apart from the rest of the natural world. Again this causes contradiction in my thoughts as only a divine creature could pose such questions and speculates ones own existence.
The closer science brings truth of mans origin the further answers move from our grasp. Mankind is such a contradiction, on one hand he creates such beauty as seen in the Sistine Chapel, or heard in the majestic melodies of Mozart, yet he defiles the world with war, greed, lust, and unthinkable acts of cruelty. Could such a mélange be of divine origin? These are some of the perplexities that trouble my mind.
Amongst the peoples of grace, and thoughtful hearts, they are of mixed religious beliefs. Is one good soul pre-destined for an eternity of anguish contingent upon their geographical birthplace and religious culture? For me, I find this unthinkable that such a splendid conception would suffer a fate of eternal pain due to birth given circumstances. Does not a soul of good heart and compassion equally deserve to stand among the divine. I have no doubt that if the circumstances were reversed, a good Christian soul would be a good Islamic soul, yet one is doomed in the others eye.
How is this possible? Would a divine creator be so narrow in its thinking? Is the water of the Tigris purer than the rivers of continents from different lands? Is the soil divinely blessed in one land and not another? How were the divine children chosen, and why were the others condemned to be the unblessed? I am sure you now realize the quandary that puzzles my thoughts.
We are taught with irrefutable evidence that the earth originated some 4.5 billion years in some violent explosion of the cosmos. So vast, more so than we can conceive, yet we try to explain it all with science and instruments created by great thinkers. Once again I find myself mire of questions; could such a universe extend to such vastness that we could ever hope to explain such vastness? What would contain such a universe? Could this possibly be the divine origin? I find myself in contradiction again as I believe the instruments of the great, but question the things yet answered by the thinkers and the instruments.
As I sigh to myself in surrender, I remind myself of the many splendors that man creates the inexhaustible regions of the universe yet to be explored, and studied. With these thoughts I see many unanswered questions are to be known by future generations, perhaps many, many generations, but no doubt that they will be enlightened further. With these answers more questions will be posed, and mans plight will continue. Perhaps this is the essence of our being, and divinity is the understanding of all things. When mankind reaches the final question, man himself may become unified with divinity. It is my hope that this is true, but I will continue to pose these questions, and as my age grows further I may be able to give rest to such a restless mind.
Unfortunately I have discovered that I no more have answers than anyone else. How arrogant of me to even contemplate such issues as mankind's purpose or meaning.
In my moments where I felt closest to being enlightened, I have concluded that the answer may not have an answer, as man may be a mere happenstance. Mere chance of the right molecules combining at the right time and the right place may have been what started this thing called humankind.
Try for a moment if you will, to set aside your preconceived notions, and your innate fear of the unknown to consider that humankind was nothing more than pure chance, and we are nothing more than the inevitable result of molecular evolution.
Raised a Catholic, I find it difficult to even consider the things that have caused me such ponderous thoughts, but I cannot deny these thoughts, and leaving them in the untold secrets of my mind does not relieve me of these things that have wandered through my conscience thought. I therefore find my self with a dilemma where I question my existence, and the existence of a divine being.
It is hard for me to have faith in something that I have never seen and simply to believe because I have been taught to do so. I am no different than anyone else; the thought of a paradise, a nirvana after death is a much better idea than to simply die into nothingness.
Despite the unthinkable, the question remains as to our true existence, and to what will our end bring? We as a species are so beautiful in what we can accomplish; some of mankind's creations seem to be no less than divine as there splendor and beauty gives the sense of nothing beneath divinity. Could such creations present themselves to mere conglomerations of molecules? How can we not question this; however, as our own science begins to reveal truths that are testimonies of the untruths that have been passed down for so many generations.
History books bring mention of ancient religious beliefs as nothing more than myths conjured in the minds of primitive peoples seeking explanation for that which they did not understand. How then can we claim our religious beliefs are the divine truths that mankind has sought throughout its life long journey. What has our religion revealed where others have failed? Could our arrogance blind us into believing that indeed we are of divine creation? Perhaps, or maybe ancient scholars were gifted with divine insight, and this gift was lost millennia ago. Possibly this is our divine creators punishment to the world for its arrogance and depravity. I question that which was taught to me, and I was expected to believe without question.
So why then should I proceed with these thoughts, when most assuredly they will go unanswered, and I may face a doom of unimaginable suffering and sorrow? I am of the belief that it is the contemplation, and quest for answers and truths that have set mankind apart from the rest of the natural world. Again this causes contradiction in my thoughts as only a divine creature could pose such questions and speculates ones own existence.
The closer science brings truth of mans origin the further answers move from our grasp. Mankind is such a contradiction, on one hand he creates such beauty as seen in the Sistine Chapel, or heard in the majestic melodies of Mozart, yet he defiles the world with war, greed, lust, and unthinkable acts of cruelty. Could such a mélange be of divine origin? These are some of the perplexities that trouble my mind.
Amongst the peoples of grace, and thoughtful hearts, they are of mixed religious beliefs. Is one good soul pre-destined for an eternity of anguish contingent upon their geographical birthplace and religious culture? For me, I find this unthinkable that such a splendid conception would suffer a fate of eternal pain due to birth given circumstances. Does not a soul of good heart and compassion equally deserve to stand among the divine. I have no doubt that if the circumstances were reversed, a good Christian soul would be a good Islamic soul, yet one is doomed in the others eye.
How is this possible? Would a divine creator be so narrow in its thinking? Is the water of the Tigris purer than the rivers of continents from different lands? Is the soil divinely blessed in one land and not another? How were the divine children chosen, and why were the others condemned to be the unblessed? I am sure you now realize the quandary that puzzles my thoughts.
We are taught with irrefutable evidence that the earth originated some 4.5 billion years in some violent explosion of the cosmos. So vast, more so than we can conceive, yet we try to explain it all with science and instruments created by great thinkers. Once again I find myself mire of questions; could such a universe extend to such vastness that we could ever hope to explain such vastness? What would contain such a universe? Could this possibly be the divine origin? I find myself in contradiction again as I believe the instruments of the great, but question the things yet answered by the thinkers and the instruments.
As I sigh to myself in surrender, I remind myself of the many splendors that man creates the inexhaustible regions of the universe yet to be explored, and studied. With these thoughts I see many unanswered questions are to be known by future generations, perhaps many, many generations, but no doubt that they will be enlightened further. With these answers more questions will be posed, and mans plight will continue. Perhaps this is the essence of our being, and divinity is the understanding of all things. When mankind reaches the final question, man himself may become unified with divinity. It is my hope that this is true, but I will continue to pose these questions, and as my age grows further I may be able to give rest to such a restless mind.
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