Conversation Between a Philosopher and a Religious During Quarantine #2

Thoughts and reflections on tough times

CONTINUED

— What do you mean?

— I’m asking where is your God in all of this mess.

— This mess?

— The pandemic. And I would add all human disasters.

— God’s not responsible for human faults.

— The virus is a human fault?

— Well, not the virus itself, but the containment.

— What about the thousands of human diseases?

— Well, it’s

— Do you think your God is good?

— Yes, infinitely good.

— And then why he creates viruses?

— Well, I don’t know.

— I see.

— But you know, many things can’t be explained.

— And why can’t be?

— Well, because they go beyond us. We will have our answers at the end.

— Why not now?

— I don’t know.

— How can you be so sure about what you’re telling me if you don’t really know so many things?

— I, well, I believe.

— I think it’s not enough to validate your convictions.

— Well, what really matters to me, is to have a goal.

— What’s your goal?

— To live a life that’s worthy of being lived.

— I agree on this.

— But if you don’t believe in God, what’s your purpose?

— To give meaning to my life.

— Really?

— You see, lots of people nowadays say life has no meaning.

— I know many of them.

— I do too. And many of those are people who were like you.

— Like me?

— Believers?

— Ah, then believing is an excellent choice!

— It really depends on the system of belief you follow. What’s yours?

— Well, I don’t really like labels. I’m a believer in God, I believe He’s a form of pure energy, the ultimate Truth. Many tell me I’m a Christian, but I don’t think humans have to be guided by prophets or such, I prefer a direct relationship.

— No intermediaries, right?

— Yes, everyone can be his own church, his own link to God.

— What do you think about all the religions in the world?

— I think they are made by humans, but in some way, everyone of those belief systems have a form of truth in them, a seed planted by God in different forms.

— Why your God would need to spread its essence in different, divisive forms.

— Well, I think, like you said before, that the subjective factors play a heavy role in that. Everyone build his own ideas around what God is and what’s His will. But I think, as you said, that love is the ultimate goodness. I like the idea that love may be the true, let’s say, religion. But I think is blind without God.

— Have you ever read Spinoza?

— I heard of him.

— Spinoza developed a form of universal pantheism.

— So, believing that God is all around?

— God as everything that exists. Frank Lloyd Wright said once that he believed in God, but simply called it nature.

— Interesting.

— Have you ever thought of God simply as the universe itself?

— Well, no, I mean, yes, but in a different way.

— How?

— Well, as said, I think God is above everything else. Imagine everything that exists is a planet and God is the star that irradiates it. That’s how I see God.

— But the star is visible.

— Yes.

— While God is beyond us.

— Well, yes, but you know, it’s a metaphor to say it is over the rainbow.

— Oz would be proud.

— Oh, thanks! Ahahah!

— But you see, when this metaphor of something unachievable is used to justify evil, I really don’t like it, and I’m not the only one.

— Oh, I’m disgusted too when God, in any form, is used as a mean to do horrible things! That’s Insanity 101! Especially to women.

— I’ve helped lots of people to escape their totalitarian religions

— Really? But isn’t that another form of indoctrination?

— Indoctrination is imposition. I’m for human rights and freedom. And they demanded freedom from their condition. Especially women.

— Oh.

— You see, before the lockdown, I was a researcher and teacher assistant.

— In philosophy, I guess.

— Yes. What gave me away?

— Ahahah, silly!

— Oh, well, professional deformation!

— Continue, please!

— Ok, so. I had lots of religious students. Many of them questioned things like evolution, rationalism, humanism, secularism. One of them told me he, his family and potentially all the people following his religion didn’t believe in human rights. What really counted for him was God’s word. Nothing else.

— And I guess he wanted to impose his belief to the world.

— That’s the problem. Imposition.

— Everyone should be free to believe in what they want.

— But what if the core beliefs of many require their imposition to disbelievers?

— Well, that’s a true problem. As I said, I hate those totalitarian systems.

— Then the true issue is that too many people around the world are not believing due to their personal choice, but due to social indoctrination.

— That’s bad.

— No one has the right to indoctrinate or force his religion on others.

— But they believe it’s their God's will, right?

— Yes, but the reason why this and many other things happen is another.

— Which one?

— Fear.

— Fear?

— Fear of being nothing.

— Oh.

— Fear of being punished by their God.

— I believe there’s a form of judgment, but not like that.

— Fear is a powerful tool.

— Yeah, it is. But about you and others in your same wavelength, why this change?

— It’s all about opening your eyes.

— I got eyes wide shut?

— No, you got beautiful eyes.

— Oh. Thank you.

— Anyway, the great shift happens at some point in our life.

— Yes?

— Life had a clear meaning given to us by God. You know, it was all about worshiping him and such.

— And then?

— Religious belief has declined. This means that the original meaning given by the system, and so the deity, collapse. Science do the rest.

— How so?

— We are just a tiny part of the complex puzzle.

— If we are so insignificant, what’s your purpose then?

— To become a great part of the big picture.

— How?

— To serve.

— To serve?

— Helping my brothers and sisters of the human family. Helping them to think with their minds, to be free from any form of limitation.

— Is religion a limit for you?

— Yes, it is. Classical religion, clearly intended.

— Ah, yes, because your religion is love.

— Yes.

— And love has limits?

— We could discover that.

— We, humans?

— No. Me and you.

— Is this a kind of making out?

— No.

— And what is it?

— How do you call it?

— Being interesting.

— I think you are interesting, too.

— Would you find me interesting even if I had the Virus?

— I would serve you, to help you recover from it.

— How kind.

— A minute of silence for the victims.

— Absolutely.

— That’s one of the many purposes I can find.

— There’s a list?

— Yes, there’s a list.

— Is it long, I presume.

— You presume well.

— I would really like to read it all.

— Nothing’s written.

— Really?

— Yes, it’s all there.

— In your precious brain, deep thinker.

— I think it’s precious only for old treasure hunters.

— What if I’m one of those?

— Old?

— Oh! How dare you!

— Joke!

— Ahahah, you’re so silly!

— That’s one of my merits.

— I was thinking.

— About what?

— About the fact that we are in quarantine and you are the first person that I’m so close to.

— Do you have someone at home?

— No, I’m alone.

— Ok.

— Would you like to come with me?

— I’d love to.

— Follow me.

TO BE CONTINUED

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