I don’t like it, so it can’t be true!
Recently I’ve had a few conversations with Theists who were merrily engaging in reasonably logical conversation until they hit the road block of, “Well that’s not a very nice world to live in – how could you possibly believe that?!”
Uh… come again? The basic argument here is that if scientific evidence gives them the sense that the world might not be a fun and safe place to live then there must be something wrong with the science. Another example of the theistic tendency to create a fantastical image of reality and then modify the “evidence” to fit the picture.
Classic examples of where this argument crops up are:
1. The discussion around what happens when we die. I.e. that there is no evidence to suggest that anything happens when we die, except that our bodies break down into basic mineral components and our consciousness, residing in our brains, ceases to exist.
2. The discussion around free will. I.e. that there is a lot in evolution, chemistry, physics and even the softer science of psychology to suggest that everything that happens is caused by something else… or maybe everything else when it comes down to it. This of course sheds a whole new light on whether there can be anything like free will at all. I admit that much discussion around this topic is theoretical at best, but it’s interesting nevertheless.
3. The humorous idea that if heaven and hell actually did exist, and it actually was the Christian Heaven and Hell, and we actually did go to one of them when we died based on… well, who the hell knows… but if it was all true, then most atheists might chose Hell over Heaven based on things like: who else was there and; what music they played there.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not some unemotional, unattached geek-robo-psychopath who would not like to live forever or have free will; and I certainly wouldn’t enjoy the idea of a real Hell either.
But that’s not the point is it?
It’s like being diagnosed with a disease that could be controlled and managed but instead, denying the diagnosis altogether, because it’s not great news, and carrying on with life as normal. Rejecting the medication and living in denial. I suppose it’s a way to live. Just pretend everything is as you want it to be and Hey Presto! You’re a happy chappy! This is very much the modus operandi for evangelicals, “Name it and claim it!” “All things are possible…” “Let go, let God”. When good things happen, praise God – when bad things happen, God’s ways are mysterious. Whatever happens, it’s never what you think it is, and it’s never logical. If I save a woman from an oncoming train she might praise God, as though I had nothing to do with it. Logical? If thousands die in Haiti, we should praise God for the little girl who “miraculously” survives in a fridge or something… so where’s the miracle for the thousands of dead people?
For me, grappling with reality is a far happier and more fulfilling way to live. For one, there is so much to learn and discover, and as long as you’re not shutting your eyes and ears to everything you don’t like, the pieces start to fall together, and the universe becomes even more awesome than you ever imagined. When I consider that it’s all over when it’s over, I realize just how precious this life is and I live it with more vigor and curiosity than ever before. I think it would be cool if we really had free will, and I hope we do, but I’m working with the evidence I have access to. I do have a few theories about the evolution of free will from present natural laws, but that’s a work in progress.
The bottom line is that I would have never start asking the questions if I had simply accepted the going Christian doctrine – but then again, maybe ignorance is bliss.
Generally, we as humans need to assign meaning and purpose to life, death and suffering. We need a context in which to place these things so that we can understand them. Instead of rather accepting that there are things in life that we have no control over; no special status as compared to the rest of the natural world. There is nothing to reason over, it’s life! It’s our reaction that matters, that determines our reality to a great extent.
One thing that is unique is that our brains have evolved to ask these burning questions of WHY? When someone slights us we naturally assess why they would do that; what was their state of mind that caused them to this to me? We theorise about other’s states of mind, it’s our evolutionary advantage (hmmm maybe). A natural progression of this theory of mind is to project it onto everything that happens around us; trying to reason with inanimate objects, natural disasters, mortality and our ‘purpose’ in life.
It’s easy to see things like this on an intellectual level but it’s not easy to accept it psychologically. “Deconstruction is great for the intellect, but it hurts the heart terribly.” (Eric Maisel)
Why is it easy to accept that the brain dies and believe that the mind/spirit lives on? The brain is a noun and the mind is a verb. The mind is what the brain does. If the brain dies then so does our mind. Do we then become nothing? We can’t imagine ourselves as being nothing or becoming nothing because that would imply something. Do we simply cease to exist? What do you choose to believe or identify with? It’s speculation, once again due to our theory of mind.
My answer currently is to live in the moment. Feel the pain, the pleasure, the entire spectrum. Make the best of a bad situation, and even more of a great one. Achieve immortality by living a respectable life, treating others and the world around as you want to be treated. Someone will miss you, talk fondly about you and even change their lives because of you.
Great article — great response. Psychologist Noam Schlampsy said it’s not helpful to ask “Why?” Rather ask “How?” and “What?” At least them you’ll get answers you can work with.