A Philosophy for Today’s Changing World

R. B. Rowe

Description

For some thousands of years, the World has been the battle ground to decide which religious viewpoint, is to become the main player in the “God” stakes, but, none of the three main contenders - Judaism, Christianity, or Islam - can really substantiate any claims that they, alone, can speak with authority, of God’s precepts.

That they have the right to speak of their representational view-points and Pathways is, of course, undoubted, but the thousands of deaths that have been caused, and are still being caused - by this conflict of authenticity - emphasizes the difficulties, when exclusivity of belief is required.

Choices of the correct pathway to reach God are, of course, Man’s decision to make, or not, as he sees fit, and, it has to be agreed, that one of them, or, perhaps, a combination of all, or, of some of them, may be the right choice for an individual to make.

However, it seems to me that a different, neutral, approach is required, and it is hoped that the following will assist this process.

Sujets

• Islam
• Religion
• Philosophie et théologie
• Biblical Commentary

Informations

• Publié par: Tablo Pty Ltd
• Date de parution: 11 avril 2019
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781925939101
• Langue: English

Extrait

Musings
If, as Science confirms,  the Universe and it’s contents - including the Earth,  and Mankind, -  consists of charges of energy, then…
what if…
                           …  Life energy  is a Gift – to enable Mankind to  exist in physical energy form - on a physical energy Earth,  and that Death is simply a change from one form of energy to another - perhaps to the non-physical ‘reality’ we experience as dreaming,  and,  that, at an appropriate time, each of us leaves the physical world in this form, to participate in a new existence.
                       … the development of a spiritual understanding of our place in the Universe, is our task in Life,  and the ability to relate, harmoniously, to all species on Earth, is a part of this development?

               … we really have no need for competing Man-made religious systems of personal , spiritual salvation, with attendant religious guilt, domination, bigotry, and so on?
                       Think about these, probabilities, for a few minutes and, ask yourself, truthfully, why shouldn’t they be so……and aren’t they ?
Finally, who, or what is the “ self” that uses the brain to instruct the body to act, in accordance, or not, with predictions and perceived outside conditions to ensure that the body’s welfare is made acceptable?

…………… [e-mail]
Preface
For some thousands of years, the World has been the battle ground to decide which religious viewpoint, is to become the main player in the “God” stakes, but, none of the three main contenders - Judaism, Christianity, or Islam - can really substantiate any claims that they, alone, can speak with authority, of God’s precepts.
That they have the right to speak of their representational view-points and Pathways is, of course, undoubted, but the thousands of deaths that have been caused, and are still being caused - by this conflict of authenticity - emphasizes the difficulties, when exclusivity of belief is required. 
Choices of the correct pathway to reach God are, of course, Man’s decision to make, or not, as he sees fit, and, it has to be agreed, that one of them, or, a combination of all, or, of some of them, may be the right choice for an individual to make.
However, it seems to me that a different, neutral, approach is required, and it is hoped that the following will assist this process.
Pathway Choices
1. Religions.
It should be kept in mind, that  Man-made Religions may, or may not, be approved by God, and it must be acknowledged that the multiplicity of religious beliefs – each purporting to be the true version of God’s requirements - should only be considered as Man’s best efforts, to justify his religion of choice.
An amalgam of the three main mono-Theistic beliefs – Judaism,  Christianity and Islam - may be closer to the ideal religious answer.  However, consider the following :
2. Science . 
The Universe was formed in accordance with the Laws of Physics, that were provided by God – t o form our Solar system.  This included the evolvement of energy into various element mixes, which then coalesced into the substances, necessary for the Universe, planets, etc. etc.  to be created.
Perhaps a simpler universally accepted pathway,  acknowledging these Laws,  as the foundation of the Universe, and including the ‘Golden Rule’ or a similar creed, to be laid down as Mankind’s preferred behaviour, might be acceptable to all.  Consider the following:
Probabilities: Absolute proof that God exists is shown by the fact that the Laws of Physics had to already  be in existence, prior to, and, to enable, the “ Big Bang” to occur, as a subsequent event. Who do you think created these Laws? Incidentally, as the generation of sound requires an atmosphere, that was non-existent at that time – this creative activity should really be known as the “Big Flash” not the Big Bang.      It may also be of interest that this “Big Flash” , conforms to  v. 3 of Chap 1. of Genesis – the first book of Moses, in the Old Biblical Testament  – “and God said - Let there be Light and there was Light”. I suggest - a very Big Flash of Light  – but, no sound! It also, follows, that  it is , very reasonable, to say, that as inexplicable Life energy, has existed since time immemorial, and inexplicable “cures or happenings” still occur from time to time, that these are continuing confirm-ation that God exists.
Speculation A world set up so that Human beings could emerge is known as an Anthropic Universe, and, as our World seems to be fine-tuned for our existence, it suggests that the evolvement of the Human Race was predestined. As the mind is an energy processor – the illusion of physicality starts at birth and ends at death – but the energy content – Soul or Inner Self --- is not lost - only transformed. An opinion on the existence of the Soul , or Inner Self, is often difficult for everyone to accept, except to say, that Mankind, if pressed, might agree that it could exist as a mental concept, but, often, there is a reluctance to  accept that it is a divinely inspired entity.  This is, probably, because Man’s ego doesn’t want to accept that, really, he is not in charge of his lifetime achievements. Consider this : Physical Man is Energy Man - who is controlled by Mental Man - who is advised by Ego Man and Spiritual Man (Inner Self). Now apart from counselling, when allowed, during quiet occasions, the Inner Self’s purpose is to assist Mankind, in the realisation of his spiritual self, on his journey to his final destination.
 
Background
The Gift of Life
We live and die,  in accordance, with a process set in place by God. Now, you may question this and, it is agreed that, despite centuries of research and learned discussion, none of us really know the truth of this statement. It is a reasoned conclusion based on the available  facts - we all die, and can only provide educated  guesses at what happens from then on. 
You will note that any reference to the various existing religious beliefs,has been excluded in the above comment, as these are only of value to those who wish to accept them.
In effect, you are being asked to accept another’s truth, and, while I respect the individual’s right to choose, it is suggested that the multitude of beliefs, mainly thousands of years old, already in existence, is, in itself, an indication of Mankind’s uncertainty and lack of ultimate authority in this area.
Perhaps, then in the absence of more specific facts, you will agree that a “balance of probabilities” approach, is the best basis  we can use, to try to sort this out -  keeping in mind, that Life is not only a continuing, unfolding reality, to be experienced, it is also a continuing problem of probabilities, yet to be solved. This is the task, in which, we are all involved.
So, to begin – in general terms - Einstein gave us a partial answer that requires the amalgamation of Science and Philosophy – a marriage, apparently, not always favoured by either party, but, as a reconciliation between these two disciplines, is necessary to any discussion concerning our existence, you may agree that this book helps to provide a reasonable basis for the union.
Science acknowledges those matters it can and can’t prove, and is in a continuing state of flux in its efforts to widen its boundaries.  This is, as it should be, but many of the concepts which guide our way of life, today, just can’t be established in the same way and are, therefore, a matter of opinion, or an expression of probabilities, until proven one way or the other.
Even then, this proof must continue to stand up to the onslaught of later knowledge, or be discarded as irrelevant.  Science is, in fact, a growing body of knowledge,  based on research – some of which we are pretty sure is factual, but, all of it is subject to reworking, as new knowledge and ideas emerge.
A brief look at our troubled world today, shows that the leaders of the Judeo-Christian-Islamic religions have failed in their endeavours to satisfy Man’s need to know who and what we are – we need to know about our relation-ships with other species in our World and beyond, and the confusion, caused by this inability, has resulted in our world going through many years of uncertainty.
The junction where Science and Philosophy meet should be one of cautious mediation, in which both parties can agree on mutual points of view, while accepting that there will always be a shifting  area of doubt at the fringe, that requires tolerance of the other’s standpoint, and the realisation that we all gain from such an understanding.
So, the question arises – is there an approach that encompasses all of these aspirations, and allows a better understanding of our World and it’s place in the Universe?   This book suggests that there is another way and outlines such an approach.  A part of this search requires that Man’s relationships with his World and his Creator are explored and, in so doing, a tentative bridge between Science and Philosophy is suggested.    This is the “need to know” in action and may also be an acceptable starting point for others.
HISTORY
An initial look at the Judeo-Christian-Islamic religions shows  that the core basis of these religions, is the insistence on the reliance on specific interpretations of historical records and texts, for their versions of the “revealed truth”.  It is suggested here, that these inconclusive efforts are the main cause of the confusion now existing, in the search for an understanding of Mankind’s place in the Universe.
Other examples  of  misguided attitudes, that have had a bearing on today’s views are the former religious approvals of the Crusades with it’s attendant atrocities, the terrible tortures of the Spanish Inquisition, the religious wars in Britain – centuries ago – and the more recent atrocities in the Middle East and Europe.
All, apparently, in the name of God and the individual’s particular religion, but with little, or no