Fascinating story breaking across a couple of Canadian papers this Sunday.
The quote that jumps out at me: "It's mind boggling. It's an altered reality". Remnants of the De Vinci Code spring immediately to mind, as does the Monkey Scopes Trial ....
My questions:
- What happens if/when science catches up with religion?
- How much of today's religion is vulnerable/fragile to the microscope?
A day might come when science might disrupt a particular religion at it's foundation... so what are the consequences of this? Most religions, if not all, are founded on the teachings of an individual (Christianity- Jesus of Nazareth, Islam - Muhammad, Lutheran - Martin Luther, and so on...). These individuals were men, in all cases extraordinary men, but men nonetheless. Throughout time, the passing of the teachings from century to century, generation to generation, the legends and teachings grow and become an integral part of today's faith. So what happens if the exactitude of science cuts down one of these beliefs? What happens? Can some of these religions be based on false or exaggerated origins?
We've surly had many examples throughout history, where the masses have been manipulated by half truths and revised histories - Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union quickly spring to mind. Legends tend to grow unrealistically over time.... just look what happened to Elvis or John Lennon - they achieved an untouchable, god-like figures by just... dying. So were Abraham Lincoln and George Washington truly great men? Or has it been driven into us over the years, by symbols like Mount Rushmore - and it is now among the unquestionable and part of the fabric of the US. And what about my favourite target - The Bush Administration, just how many half truths have there been? How much brilliant spinning has occurred over the last 7 years... What were the results of the 2004 election again? 'nuf said.
All religions have been started by man, and passed down generations by men, categorized as sacred... by men. It's naive to think that no politics have ever come into play...through the years, eras, centuries.... This springs to mind that great quote from - The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance - "This is the west, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend"
You know it sounds like I am disputing religion - I am not. I ask these question because they are interesting and important. I believe we need to question everything in our lives... and this includes religion. I have a great respect for religion, faith and especially, their followers. A life trying to traverse through this troublesome, contradictory and cold world is both tough and confusing. We all have to believe in something, to help us make sense of it all, and if someone connects to a particular faith - more power to them I say. Who really knows what is right and what is wrong, anyway? Your own soul should tell you, not me or your neighbour, certainly not your political leader or even your family. You. Your soul, Your gut.
Interesting article on this very subject - Relationship between Religion and Science.
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On a bit of a related topic, and one that I feel slightly embarrassed to admit, I found a reality TV show which left me smiling - I caught it last night on IFC entitled "30 Days". The premise is that a person is parachuted into a culturally foreign situation for 30 days... but unlike the other reality crap on TV, this doesn't involve snakes, tropical islands or catching a train. It involves culture clashes, religious confusion and questioning one's identity. Last night, it was an American father of two and a practicing Christian and Republican from the midwest, living for 30 days with a Muslim family in Dearborn, Michigan. His reactions were both amazing and insightful. Over the month, he comes to appreciate the Muslim faith even though he doesn't agree with it. I actually felt that there is hope in this cold world after watching this... (mind you, coulda' been the beer talking ;-) )
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