How did we get here? (Part 2)

As I was saying …

In the spring of 1994 I began what has turned out to be a lifelong friendship. It seemed a little odd - an atheist and a Christian. Other than a few hobbies what could we have in common?

My new friend was (and still is) much smarter than I. He was also very patient and a genuine good soul.

As we hiked, or rode our mountain bikes in the woods, we chatted on a whole range of ideas.

In my evangelical zeal I tried to be “wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove” (Matthew 10:16) and would regularly raise the question, "How did we get here?" We explored the idea of “the beginning” and what existed before that point in time for several years. We shared perspectives, and I was ever hopeful and prayerful for a conversion.

we see “... through a glass dimly …” 1 Corinthians 13:12

We both listened politely to each other. The notion of the big bang was well beyond my scope in terms of the science behind it. But, I was prepared to be honest and open minded. After all, my Christian journey was very much about discovering truth. I truly believed - and still do - that we see “... through a glass dimly …” (1 Corinthians 13:12) and that someday we will see things with clarity.

Likewise my friend too tried to understand the nuances of monotheism and the omni-ness of God.

At the end of each outing in the woods or cup of tea after a pleasant meal we had shared, each of us had not really moved from our original position, although we had traveled to look at the idea from a different position.

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Over many years I gradually came to hold the opinion that one cannot (or at least should not) talk out of both corners of one’s mouth. By that I mean I reached a point where I could no longer be intellectually dishonest with myself …. trusting science and rationality with some things, but not others.

It was very difficult for me to apply that same sense of logic and rationality to my 45-odd years of belief in the idea of God and creationism.

This process was not sudden, but slow and metered. It was very discomforting to let go of long cherished beliefs.

However, by embracing rationality -- and a tolerance for unanswered questions -- I feel "at peace" and have fewer conflicting ideas.

Rationality has brought all of us wonderful things. In fact, I would challenge you to find an earlier time where you would be as comfortable, nourished, and healthy as you are today. However, modern rationality and science is really just 500 years old.

So in as much as I (and many others) still do not fully understand the big bang, I am very comfortable saying that at some point in the future we (humanity) might understand it.

(Of course that was the same argument I used to defend the idea of God.)

Speaking of God … It stands to reason that there are likely other beings similar to us, or even much smarter and more powerful than us in the universe. But they are not the authors of creation.

So in summary, how did we get here? By incredible cosmic forces that we do not fully understand.

....with much knowledge comes much sorrow

Ecclesiastes 1:18

... and likewise, how did I wind up “here” at this place in my life journey?

By praying for wisdom, just as Solomon suggested.

However I have discovered, just as Solomon noted, that “with much knowledge comes much sorrow” (Ecclesiastes 1:18).

I feel genuine sorrow for the loss of my Christian lifestyle, and for loss of many Christian friendships.

Most of my old Christian friends are not sure what to make of me. Lost? Maybe? Never actually converted? Yes, some would say that.

What strikes me is that many of these individuals are much smarter than I. So why have they not left the darkness and entered into the truth?

Finally, one note that some have boasted of: it is Judeo-Christian values and ethics that have gotten us to this point and without God and those ideals humanity will be lost, civilization will crumble and collapse, much like the fall of the Roman Empire.

Hogwash.

I would argue that I am equally concerned about ethics and values today than I was as a practicing Christian. Maybe even more so. Values and ethics and morality are all human constructs that enable us to live together peacefully and in prosperity. Some may attribute that development to a god, but IMO it is the work of thoughtful humans.

My next blog post is less focused on cosmology. However, taking the time to try and write about this part of my life has been therapeutic for me. If you have engaged with this in one way or another I hope that it's been positive for you as well.

Thanks for reading.

All comments welcomed!