First Cause…and Beyond
Faith is believing what you know ain’t so. -Samuel “Mark Twain” Clemens
I cannot resolve the unavoidable, logical quandary of First Cause. This, I believe, is altogether and of essence beyond the scope of human comprehension. Our temporal, constrained perception requires that all that exists does so because something that “came before” gave rise to it. Clearly at some point, this process asks for the “first thing” that led to the second thing that led to all other things. In my most humble opinion, it is this First Cause (FC) that for millennia mankind has attempted to grasp, understand, explain, and, from time to time, “have faith in.” Further, I must conclude that the full nature of this FC is, as we are presently equipped incomprehensible. [Yet I do not rule out the possibility of my being deluded or grossly ignorant; conditions which may be correctable…or not.]
While I choose to NOT rely on myth where temporal comprehension is available (or possible), I have no desire to dissuade any other person in his or her choice of an object of faith in regards to this matter. It is clear that through the millennia of recorded history, countless religious and/or spiritual factions have been founded as a result of man’s attempts to understand the nature of Origination. It is unfortunate that most of these groups do not share my temperate tolerance. And many, quite to the contrary, are violently militant in their attempts to “convert” others to their “way” and gather-by a range of means from gentle persuasion to threats against life-as many “into the fold” as possible. Under the guise of being the visible hand of “the” invisible God, these preachers practice a profuse propensity for proselytizing in ways that purportedly please Pater Nostra. None of these rapacious groups can provide anything that approximates a rational or plausible platform for their professed propositions. Acceptance, adherence, adoration, and fellowship (validation and security) are all contingent on “faith.”
Only on arrival at the end of our understanding are we inclined to resort to beliefs and mythical “explanations.”
Along with this compulsion to collect fellows to the worship of THE GOD, who in the past “started it all,” many of these groups seek to secure for themselves seats with the Most High in eternity-AFTER their time here is done. So this focus on The Truth of the past, coupled with the reassuring Truth of future security-neither of which have any substantial basis-leaves us with little hope for the present.
Perhaps this seemingly inevitable shell game-that of avoiding present pain by looking to the past and future-is the point of it all… A sad proposition indeed.
amen
I know that (my post) could have been considered quite a somber thing…really it wasn’t…at least not on my end.
Goodness gracious . . . an “amen” is a precious thing.
Thanks!
I believe that it’s turtles all the way up and turtles all the way down…infinite…no origination but the universe (or multiverse) expanding and collapsing again and again and again ad infinitum. It’s the only thing that makes any sense to me.
Nice thought, Ryan. Yet as “crazy” as I am, I still wonder from whence came “the turtles”…and the concept of “all the way up” and “all the way down.”
Yes…I get the “making sense” part. That’s what I’m talking about. And we all try to the extent of our desire and motivation to do that…to make sense of “it.”
great illiteration ryan! reminds me of some sermons i’ve heard! : )
i think the definition of ‘faith’ is broader than what you have concluded, but based on your understanding of faith, what you pen is consistent.
Ah yes…yep. But I think you’re right, it’s ultimately incomprehensible. We just know what we know and keep pulling back the layers…and the layers are infinite…but I guess it kind of passes the time mining phenomena…sometimes it’s pretty interesting.
Mmm…Vicki, I don’t know if you were “talking to” Ryan or to me.
If you were referring to MY definition of “faith,” I would say that this piece actually makes no attempt to define faith. Nor do I wish to express any conclusion in regards to faith.
Please feel free to share more on the “broader” definition of faith.
Interesting…
“Perhaps this seemingly inevitable shell game-that of avoiding present pain by looking to the past and future-is the point of it all… A sad proposition indeed.”
I think there might be some truth to this, and yet I think that some individuals use faith to ENDURE present pain. I’m thinking specifically about those in horrific situations who use faith to keep hope alive despite un-speakable acts of abuse…in a do-to-my-body-what-you-will-because-my-soul-will-live-on kind of way.
I also think faith exists in order to negate the truth of our mortality. It keeps death anxiety at bay if we think something of our essence gets perpetuated beyond the grave, instead of just being reabsorbed into the universe. I don’t bank on that. I simply want to be remembered as long as people I love are alive…and if my writings would persist after that….that would be a bonus, but it’s not essential.
Actually, I don’t have a problem with that (re-absorption)…in fact, I think we should skip the embalming step and burial in boxes and just be laid in dirt where the decomposition would happen faster.
But…would I want to teach my daughters my personal feelings? Not until I think they can handle it. In the interim, we take them to a church that really doesn’t push misguided or downright twisted theology – but “treat others kindly and compassionately”, “help where you can”, “think of others first” – and none of this “you’re going to hell to endure the eternal flames of hell (misinterpreted theological myth if you ask me) if you don’t do as we say” business that I got growing up in the Catholic church.
And all that being said, I still think that perhaps there may be a slight chance my friend Barb’s essence knows I still drink from her coffee cup, and blog about her from time to time, and tell my friends about her, and that she knows she meant a great deal to me while she was alive. I’ve dreamt about her a few times since she’d died in 2002. Speaking of which, I’m over-due for another dream.
Casey
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