Fermi's Paradox:
Why does the Cosmos look so empty?
If we are so "average" there should be lots
of people out there, but we don't see any.
"Where are they?"
Possible Solutions:
1. Hi-tech civilizations are rare, or none.
2. They remain small, or stay in hiding.
3. They suffer extinction.
4. They transcend this reality.
The first three can't explain the total silence
we observe. Only the fourth speaks for
everyone else ... if it's unavoidable.
I. If they have transcended:
a. did they all leave?
b. did they leave a gate/instructions?
c. can they come back?
d. what does it require to follow?
e. what is it like there?
f. what are the alternatives?
h. can they help/influence us?
II. If they can influence us:
a. is everyone good, or are some evil?
- is there a conflict between factions?
- do they want/need our help?
- is there an essential dispute?
b. do they want the best for us, or for them?
- good people (angels):
. you can do this & join us
. obey, serve & learn from us
- bad people (demons):
. conform, or suffer the consequences
. be exterminated as vermin
c. how involved can they be?
- they (should) have a plan
. but let us do all that we can
. moral choices are a key issue
- they have rules on interference
. stay hidden & leave no proof
. inspiration, voices & visions only
. give as few clues as possible
. keep descriptions vague
- they know something we don't
. let us figure it out for ourselves
- they know us better than we do
. we have an unused power
. faith can move mountains
- not following the rules = "open season"
. let us decide our own fate
d. how powerful are they?
- is one side stronger than the other?
- whose methods are more effective?
- does morality limit tactics?
- is there any ultimate advantage?
III. Should we be interested in them?
- do we have a choice?
. is everyone recruited/drafted?
- can we avoid transcendence?
. is the transition part of nature?
- would "going up" be worth it?
. does eternity equal immortality?
- what are the costs of involvement?
. civil war between factions here
. disdain for our planet
. dismissing reason
. adopting a "least evil" option
IV. Does "Transcendence" make sense?
- there is no way to verify it.
. it defies cause & effect
- it's an unnecessary distraction.
. we have enough issues to solve
- we need to transcend religion.
. it's a source of disagreement
- utopia is our job to create.
. paradise is variably described
- faith must be more than belief.
. it must match observed reality
V. Can't we just survive on self-interest?
- practical moral idealism
. relativist legal neutrality
. cultural spheres of influence
. minimize interference
. scientific knowledge
. philosophical enlightenment
. ecological conservatism
. territorial security
. agree to play fair
- God is what makes us better people.
. morality is based on principles
. deontology is a cultural choice
. paragons must be worthy to follow
. civilization must be harmonious
. violence is intolerable
- our lives need meaning & purpose.
. our mode of service is a choice
. we need a future vision
VI. A good & just God would understand.
- we choose universal ideals
. our principles reflect them
- we accept longevity, not eternity
. the ideal of Truth
- we build our own heavens
. the ideal of Freedom
- we strive to emulate divinity
. the ideal of Love
- we acknowledge our shortcomings
. the ideal of Wisdom
- we choose Life above all.
VII. We will do & be the best that we can.
- we must trust our own understanding
. we do still listen with faith in God
- take an optimistic view of humanity
. let us rise to our expectations
- follow principles that we all share
. choose life
. first do no harm
. help where we can
. allow for differences
. lead by example & suggestion
. trust, but verify
. strength for peace, not conquest
. let others choose their own way
- compete for honor, not advantage
. we must live with dignity
. we do not condone abuse
VIII. Reach for the Stars !!!
- Be the exception: We are here!
One final observation / inquiry:
Do the parallels with the Middle Eastern
religious paradigms seem so obvious to
everyone else? It feels like it can be read
from an atheist point of view, or from a
religious perspective, with only very few
concessions to the other side, either way.
"May Adonai bless you and protect you! May Adonai deal kindly and graciously with you! May Adonai lift up his countenance upon you and grant you peace!" (Torah, Numbers 6:24-26) And Jesus said, "Allow the little children to come unto me. Forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of God. Truly, I say unto you, unless you receive the Kingdom of God as a little child does, you shall not enter therein." (New Testament, Mark 10:14-16)
Sojourning at an Oasis Paradise
My purpose for living this life, and for writing this blog, is to understand the faith that links us to God. I wish to explore and discuss the reality at the heart of all of the world's religions. This is an immense task, but I know that God also has faith in us, trusting that we do desire the truth, as well as freedom, love and wisdom. Thus, as always, He meets us halfway. Even as God has given us individual souls, so we must each of us trace out an individual pathway to God. Whether we reside in the cities of orthodox religion, or wend our solitary ways through the barren wastelands, God watches over us and offers us guidance and sustenance for the journey.
Most of what you will see here is the result of extensive personal study, combined with some careful speculation. Occasionally, I may simply offer some Scripture or an inspirational text. I am a wide reader, and the connection of some topics and ideas to matters of faith and religion may not seem immediately obvious, but perhaps I may spell it out in the end... or maybe, you will decide that it was just a tangent. Anyway, I hope that you will find my meanderings to be spiritually enlightening, intellectually stimulating, or at least somewhat entertaining.
Most of what you will see here is the result of extensive personal study, combined with some careful speculation. Occasionally, I may simply offer some Scripture or an inspirational text. I am a wide reader, and the connection of some topics and ideas to matters of faith and religion may not seem immediately obvious, but perhaps I may spell it out in the end... or maybe, you will decide that it was just a tangent. Anyway, I hope that you will find my meanderings to be spiritually enlightening, intellectually stimulating, or at least somewhat entertaining.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment