I'm an old guy, so I remember stuff that is slowly being expunged from the public narrative. Things like religion requires one to adhere to certain doctrinal beliefs. That these doctrinal beliefs cannot be forced upon others. That the purpose of government is to protect the rights of the individual in the face of claims that the individual should be subordinate to the authority of those who surround him.
Reading Governor Palin's book, "Going Rogue," has been a delightful experience. And I mention religion in the above paragraph because of my reaction to the Governor's words as she relates how her religious views were dealt with during her interview with Senator McCain in the lead-up to her selection as Senator McCain's running mate.
I think it's worthwhile to reflect a bit on what religious views and beliefs are, and how they exist in our 21st century America.
My religious views fit my world. As I see it. And the fundamental belief in my religious experience is that I am too limited to know much. I am totally unable to comprehend the meaning of "an infinite universe." Conversely, if the universe isn't infinite, then what is it that would present as the definition for the limit of that universe; a Sartrian reduction of knowing a thing as what it isn't. And then the question is begged, of what is it which isn't a part of the universe, and what would be the limits of this "something else"?
Far above my paygrade.
But I choose another path than succumbing to nihilism. I'm an optimist. And while there may be questions for which I lack an answer, that doesn't mean that that answer would either make me richer or poorer for the knowing. I would still be able to pay the bills, laugh with friends and love.
How you and I choose to relate to our existence presents certain intellectual difficulties not known to infect the animal or plant kingdoms. Or the world of minerals. And yet, one could express a tautology that each of these, Man, animal, plant and mineral, are equally affected in our present condition as the result of something prior that occured that had made these divisions reality.
There is a huge degree of uncertainty in addressing the problem of "existance." There are still those who believe that the world exists on the back of a turtle, wending its was through the heavens. And given my prior reduction, how would such an answer differ in the way I pay the bills, laugh with friends and love? How would greater certainty, or greater uncertainty, affect my nature? That is to say, what is the difference between your view of the World, Existence and Creation and what are the effects that view has on the way you pay your bills, laugh with friends and love? Maybe there are simple distinctions, rather than differences. Would the Seventh Day Adventist pay his bills on Saturday? And how would that affect his bill paying preferences on the remaining six?
There is a huge chasm that exists between the knowable and the unknowable. The distinction in many ways is simply an understanding that there is a huge chasm between sufficiency and necessity. (Kinda cries out Matthew 6:34.)
So, what is preferrable? Having strong religious beliefs or having weak--or, to attempt non-existent--religious beliefs? Does a Quaker make a better farmer than a Baptist? Would you rather have a Jew or a Mormon behind the wheel of the truck that delivers your crushed rock? Did you ask your dentist or doctor his views on Creation before your appointment? Enjoy this address from Governor Palin.
h/t Gateway Pundit.
