*Comments: Is/Was God Unfair?*
Greetings, First of all I would like to thank all of you who participated in supplying comments about the article “Is/Was God Unfair?” (America, Canada, Brazil, Czech Republic, Indonesia, India, Germany, South Africa, and France) In order for an article to qualify for a “Comments” review it must receive significant feedback and interest beyond what is considered to be average. This article met those criteria. Briefly, the participant's professions represent many disciplines and include but are not limited to: Doctors (MD), University and College Educators, Engineers, Attorneys, Accountants, Salespeople and members of the general public. I know that I have left out many other worthy professions and many great comments, but I do not have time and space here in a short *Comments* article to list them all. Hopefully we will “touch” on parts of many sentiments with these few Comments. The belief in God question is the most pressing one in this type of article for obvious reasons. The respondent's questions and answers represent this tendency and opinion more than their scientific expertise about article content in the area of cosmology.
Readers do not always “fit” into categories as written and published by those who are paid to know these things. It seems that the overwhelming majority of our readers here that have a problem with the existence of *God* question/issue is not whether or not He exists, but rather the Format, way, and manner of His introduction and presentation as God to the public. In the interest of time here is a small segment from many comments (in English) about the article (“Is/Was God Unfair”) from professionals living in several countries: (Write for the article or read it on my website www.henriwtartt.com). Generally, the university/college educated person, with graduate degrees from Ivy-League schools will be less likely to believe in God. Of course, this is not always the case. Here are a few submissions:
“Absolute Certainty, can at times be its own proof of ignorance” – Henri W. Tartt
Selected Comments:
- (USA- MD) “If you can remove religion and religious beliefs from the discourse on a higher being, it is much easier for all to reach a consensus on the possibility of the existence of a higher being. However, we become bogged down with minutia imposed by differing religious practices and beliefs creating unnecessary divisive discourse on issues that may very well be irrelevant. Hence my frustration with most religious practices. Same higher being, infinite arguments on the minutia.”
- (USA- World famous Musician/Educator) “Speaking of genes: I really like what you said regarding parents in your “Why Are We Here” contribution of the article. Because of time, some known things that were known have now become unexplained and unknown to a specific mind set of people looking for answers. The present and future are probabilities based on yesterday's thoughts, actions, plans and knowledge of the past. So much time has gone by that humans today have forgotten about the past (Antiquity) where the Gnostic Christian and the Hindu, (as examples), had a reasonable and more accurate approach to and understanding of what we refer to today as GOD. I believe that there are things that have no answer, and if we had answers what would we do with them? The only thing that we as a species can agree upon as fact is death and the necessity for air to stay alive. Everything else is in the “eye, common sense, and dream of the beholder.”
- (USA- University Educator) “My friends and I seldom have these kinds of discussions about God. But when we do, I choose not to judge the choices of others. Personal preferences will always win this argument. It is my opinion that since one cannot know or prove the answer to a question, then why pursue its inadequacy?” Still, I do enjoy reading about the subject. The search for the existence of the Higgs-Boson or “God Particle” is a very challenging discussion in the classroom.”
- (Czech Republic- University Educator) “Most people here (Prague) have no religious affiliation. Those who do profess some religiosity are usually Roman Catholic. The churches here are quite beautiful and represent the people very well. My questions about God and religion probably stem from my childhood. As an adult, I'm not quite sure what to believe. I operate on the premise that as long as one tries to live a good, honest life hurt no one and gives something to charity then he is as good a person as anyone regardless of religion.”
- (France-University Educator) “The Roman Catholic Church dominates the religious scene here in Paris France. We do have other religious influences here such as a small Protestant, Muslim and Jewish population. However, France is basically a Catholic country. I have always viewed God as a product of the believers imagination, but as I grow older I'm not so sure anymore. If there really is a God then I don't think that he should have given us the choice of whether or not to believe. What if you don't get it right? That's a 50/50 chance! Not very good odds considering the purported consequences. Some of my students have asked me about this. Many of whom are grounded in religion far more than I. I'm afraid that many of them give me better answers than I give them. Good article, I especially liked the part about the parents.” Your article on the Roman Catholic Church is one of the best I've read.
- (Germany – MD) “While taking a break from my practice, I ran across this article while searching for some specific scientific reference material. The discussion about what is known and what is not I find to be interesting but futile. I have found this kind of discussion to be ever redundant in its content. In reading German and American physics history (a hobby of mine) I have found that the subject material from one generation to another almost never changes. This indicates to me that either the researchers are inadequate to the task, or there is no accurate answer to the proposed questions and equations in the first place. I'm sure that I can extrapolate this problem to others of any society today. Evidently it's time for a completely different approach.” Henri, I think that back calculations similar to Newton's Second Law may help. Calculate from the present back to the start of the first motion equation because I believe that something is either missing or forgotten right in that area. What say you? (*Try using a particle mass of 125 gigaelectronvolts (GeV) as your conclusion then back calculate and see how far you get. – Henri).
- (India-Engineer) “I live in a country where Buddhism and Sikhism abound. However, Hinduism is the major religion here. I often find this a bit hypocritical because of the prevalent color discrimination (light over dark) or “caste” system we still have permeating the society. If you remember, I wrote to you about this once. The darker people here are sometimes referred to as “Dalit's” This is very similar to the experience and bias that black people have in America about skin color. I find it difficult to believe that a truly religious society would stand for the continued existence of this smear. I have some difficulty with the concept of a power that seems powerless over this. There is much that I cannot decipher about my religion. Yet, I still try to believe and hope for a clearer understanding of it in the future. I have a framed copy of your article “Life” in my study. A very true, emotional work”
- (England – Economist) “I cannot believe that in this day and time of enlightenment. And in view of all of our momentous scientific accomplishments many highly educated professional people are still stuck in childhood fables and fantasies. Stories about “miracles” in small (now) war torn villages and contested historical country sides. As for the “God” discussion, we know that our person to person DNA structure is basically identical and very similar to certain members of the animal world. This speaks loudly in scientific favor of genetic evolution. How this overwhelming amount of evidence is continually ignored is puzzling to say the least. Looking at all of the bigotry and racism here in England and around the world, it is evident that the people of this world will never understand or agree that we are ultimately members of the same species. Therefore the wars, hatred and distrust will never end. If there really is a God, would this continue to be the case? As the author says, “Love your parents”. At least that's something we can do. In most cases I would assume that parents deserve ones love and respect.”
That's about all we have time and space for. I must say that I had no intention of turning this “Comments Article” into a “quest” for an answer to the *God or Race* question. In my experience the God/Race discussion is undoubtedly one of the most thought about issues on the minds of people everywhere, no matter their profession or educational level. Every human being alive today belongs to the Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Mammilia, Order Primata, Family Homindae, Genus Homo, and Species Sapiens. Every human being alive today is a member of the same species. That species is Homo sapiens. There is no other species to which one can belong. Here is another small but significant contribution:
Dr. Jefferson Fish, psychologist, St. John's University, New York (may have said it best):
“What is race? It is a biologically meaningless category. It is a cultural term that Americans use to describe what a person's ancestry is. But biologically the human species does not have categories. It just has variations as one travels around the world.” – Fish
*Why Are We Here?*
In the end, it matters not that you are Hindu, Jew, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Baha'i, agnostic, atheist, pale, dark, rich or poor. It matters not whether they find the Higgs-Boson, (God particle) a good sandwich or the Holy Grail. Listen, dumb people have not caused the major problems of this world. Smart people have. In the end, your “Bell, Book, and Candle” sojourn on earth will be over. Your Bell will have tolled, Your Book will be closed, and Your Candle will be extinguished. There will no longer be any doubt that everyone is equal. There will no longer be a class or caste system to embrace or dissolve. Then what? A life wasted? It is in all of our best interests to love and be loved, forgive and be forgiven. Because the love and forgiveness that you give will be commensurate with the love and forgiveness you receive wherever you go. Dear Mother, Father, Son, Daughter, Sister, Brother, Relative, Friend and foe. The fighting should stop now. Whatever good is in your heart, live it and share it. You are unique to this world. Make your contribution to the family. Have your say…and your progeny. You will be blessed by them. Remember, the faith you save, may be your own. No, God is not unfair, but life can be so take care. Thanks for the comments. Stay well
“There is a price to pay for speaking the truth. There is a bigger price for living a lie.”
Dr. Cornel West – Princeton University
All the Best,
- Henri W. Tartt
Henri W. Tartt
Supervising Chemist &
Chief of Microbiology
City of Cleveland, Ohio (Retired)
Email:henri@henriwtartt.com