The Facts and the Figures

My eldest brother and I often argue over our fundamental beliefs. I have a fairly old-school, structured Christian outlook on things, whereas his view is a touch more “new-age” to say the least. And more often than not, our arguments end up at the Evolution Debate. He’s a highly intelligent man, who finds it easy to punch holes in theories – to explain why something might not be so. Which is all well and good, but if the substitute theory which you replace it with is equally “holey”, then where does that leave us? And as we know from something as simple as a pair of old socks, there are all kinds of holes, of varying shapes and sizes…and some can only be seen when looked at from underneath.

In his mind, my brother’s Evolutionary theories are watertight. In fact, in the view of most of the educated people on this planet, his assumptions would be pretty well thought of. And, admittedly, this leaves me in the opposing corner; most of Earth’s intellectuals would likely scoff at my thinking. It wouldn’t be difficult to imagine that phrases like ‘out-dated’, ‘two-dimensional’, and even ‘backwards’ might be bandied about at my expense. My brother’s favourite way of putting it is that my beliefs are “the misguided equivalent of when man believed the world to be flat”.

Strangely, however, his mockery has opened a small crack in his, until now, impenetrable scholarly fortress.

When man believed the world to be flat.

Presumably when he says this, my brother isn’t only speaking of ignorant men, or even your average man in the street? I would have to guess that this would include highly educated men – the same highly educated men who, before it was disproved, went along with what is now thought to be such a preposterous and laughable notion, and who even used it as a basis for further study and greater theories. Indeed, before it was disproved, the “flat Earth” was almost factual in its wide-spread acceptance. I say almost, because to ignore those forward-thinkers who had determined that the Earth was in fact spherical well ahead of their time, would be blatantly erroneous. Parmenides, the Ancient Greek thinker, was one of the first to conceive a spherical Earth…but it took until the 17th century for this truth to become widely accepted in China. Even in India, it took until the Gupta period (in the early centuries AD) for this fact to become widespread. And they were not alone.

When I talk of Evolution and my queries regarding its validity, especially in light of my Christian ideals, commonly people will express their disbelief that I could follow what is such an unpopular theory. Admittedly, I simply do not know enough – scientifically or in religious terms – to fully explain the faith I have in my convictions. But should that be enough to disprove them? In fact, can a belief be “disproved” at all…ever? A theory based on science and other man-engineered ‘facts’, yes – by nature of the ever-shifting ground on which those thoughts are built, they are subject to change. If a fundamental pillar of science were to fall – as in the case of the Earth’s true shape becoming known to not be flat – then all theories which rely on such an assumption must necessarily be adjusted accordingly.

Faith, however, stems from another place. One which is not embedded in anything human, or tangible – and it is suggested is therefore beyond contest. That is not to say that all beliefs are correct simply by being a belief in the first place – indeed most religions will attest that there can only be one correct line of thought – but would it not be correct to say that, on this planet, there is no-one able to truly cast judgment and determine who is in fact right, and who isn’t.
The issue then, of course, is why do we ask? Why do we try to find the answers to the more “unanswerable” questions which abound, like those of God and the life which exists beyond this (or doesn’t…depending on who you ask)? That question, thankfully, is the easiest of all to respond to – because we are human, and it is in our nature to ask, and ponder, and dig, and come out with something…something that makes sense to our small brains, and whether right or wrong ensures that life makes more sense. It is one of our undeniable traits…and one of the few “truths” on which we can actually rely.

I do not believe that all higher thought is a pointless waste of time – if I have given that impression, I apologise. I encourage, unnecessarily, for everyone to continue to ask, dig, think, and become content in warmth that the answers give us. Unnecessary because without a moments doubt, man will do so until we are no more. Let us perhaps keep in mind though, that as many ‘fact’s as we discover and determine in our time on this Earth, one day we will be faced with the true reality of all that has been, all that exists, and all that is to come….and I’d say we’re in for some surprises.

A Cautionary Tale

In my local newspaper, the classifieds list #1 “Births” and #6 “Deaths” only 5 sections apart. A strange and frightening thing, isn’t it? Strange because, somehow, you’d expect these to be opposing one another from the very beginning and very end of the list. Frightening when you realize that not everyone is afforded all 190 sections as a right, that sometimes we don’t get as much time as we might think…or expect.

As a young boy, I battled to comprehend time, and life, and age. 13 was the age when high school would start, I would be 16 at the turn of the millennium, while at 21 I just knew life’s mysteries would be explained to my more-than-ready brain, and anything beyond that was simply too foreign a concept to tackle – I mean, how do you get that old anyway?! All parents had without doubt frolicked with dodo’s in their youth, whilst my grandparents had witnessed the construction of the Great Pyramid, and had had an agreeable couple of Stegosaurus’s as some of their closest friends. Such was the length of time they had survived on the planet, that their true ages had become lost in the sands of time, I believed.

Then, all of a sudden, someone you know (who clearly hasn’t read the script) up and dies. That’s when you begin to see that life is not a road without an end, and it takes a while to sink in.

“What? What do you mean…’dead’? Are you sure its him? But I just saw him on the weekend?!”

That’s just it. Death doesn’t play by the rules. Just when you’ve reached #108 “Business Opportunities”, Death knocks on your front door. It’s not that unusual for people to never see #126 ”Houses to Let”. Sometimes you barely make #55 “Tuition Courses”, or worst of all, fall before your parents could have a look at #36 “Pre-schools”. Getting more scary now, isn’t it? Feel like wrapping yourself in cotton wool, maybe just staying in bed for a week? Well??

I’m no expert, but I think that’s the ploy here. I think that’s Death’s little plan. But playing it safe isn’t going to go very far this time. If we are all given a limited time on this Earth, a brief period to grow and learn and love and live…then shouldn’t we get on with it? To hide from the Grim Reaper, with this grey hooded overcoat and long-reaching scythe, would not assist in evading (or even delaying) the inevitable. In the book of life, we each have two dates next to our names – birth, and death. And who knows when your day will come? But this is not something to fear, or to cause consternation; the opposite in fact. Are stolen moments not often more fun than those which have been planned months ahead? In essence, we ought to treat our lives as an extended stolen moment. A moment which we are free to do with what we will. A moment which we can choose to educate ourselves; to learn the value of respect, work, play, and laughter; a moment for family, friends, and someone special; a moment in time to praise God for this most generous gift.

So don’t get involved in the side-shows Death has designed with the purpose of distracting us from life. As much as possible, don’t get involved with hate, pain, fear, doubt, or anger. These are truly where the greatest regrets are born, and once hatched are almost impossible to cast aside. Is this the last moment you would want for yourself?

Rather enjoy your time, have a ball, and be able to look back at #1 “Births” from your place in #6 “Deaths” with a grateful and contented smile.

Just a little something quick...

Out to lunch today, I heard something strange on the radio. Not that anyone else found it weird, if I'm honest, but it was just one of those things which sticks in your mind...until you figure out why.

When it comes to prison's, is their a reason why there exists "minimum", "medium", and "maximum" versions, with regard to the level of security? I'll be frank, as a tax-paying, law-abiding (well, the ones that count anyway) citizen of this country, I'm quite fond of my incarcerated criminals being...well...stuck there. Which, to me, would have to fall under the bracket of "maximum security". "Maximum" in the sense that yes, you did something quite naughty, and yes, somebody saw. "Maximum" because you went to court and you were told that in fact what you did was bad enough for you to be separated from the rest of society for a while. An adult ‘naughty step’ if you will.

It makes me kinda nervous to think of the other two types of prison. "Medium" security is a vexing concept. I would have to guess its like the equivalent of needing to perilously find one’s way across a back garden guarded by the meanest Pitbull alive…on a leash. Like the opportunity for escape exists, but its probably not a good idea to try lest the beast get hold of you and sink its canines into your rump. This doesn’t really put me at as much ease as some, however. Seems as though this leaves an inviting gap for those criminals stupid, brave, or desperate enough to attempt a break out…and a fair chance of success. Undoubtedly, though, “minimum” security is the most troubling of the penitentiary triplets. I have scenes of a dusty old shed with a rickety door slightly off its hinges, the only criminals unable to escape being those with a broken spirit…or legs.

And this leads me to my conclusion. Broken bones. As a child, I found these the most informative and effective teachers. Climb a tree that you aren’t allowed…you fall and break a leg. Rocking on your chair at the dinner table gives you…a fractured arm. You take one stroll along the spine of the church roof on a Sunday morning and you slip and land on an old tree stump…luckily with your face breaking your fall, and a new nose for the rest of your life. So why not incorporate this corrective learning into the legal system. Don’t steal, or we might remove your fingers. Better not rape, cos it would be easy to mangle your genitalia. And if you kill someone’s brother…we’re sure you have a family too…you get the idea. Sure it’s a little Middle Eastern as far as keeping everyone playing by the same rules, but I bet it works. Just a thought.