by Rodger Caldwell

Created on: November 12, 2008   Last Updated: December 16, 2008

Scientifically literate people almost all dismiss the existence of God out of hand, yet there is indirect evidence that a higher form of being or beings might exist that would intervene in the affairs of men. There are red and yellow drawf stars in our Galaxy that transmute their hydrogen into helium slowly enough to give life as we know it a chance to evolve intellect with scenarios similar to earth's own orbiting planets. Some of these stars and their solar systems are older than our sun. Thus, it seems likely that intellects greater than ours have evolved. Most likely they are contrivances, several generations removed, of carbon based life. If they are not vastly more advanced than us, they might take an interest in our affairs. Also, intellect need not have carbon based origins. Some stars could be conscious, for instance. They have powerful electric and magnetic fields that could organise into processors capable of inputing, storing, processing, outputting data. Gas clouds that are cool could also be conscious.

Before the mystical among us celebrate, be advised that most civilizations likely, even certainly end up in a virtual paradise, and care not about their environment save what is necessary to preserve their life style.

Many wise men throughout the ages believed in the existence of God. Should all their intellects be disregarded? It is true that in most cases the scientific knowledge at the time was nascent, yet before the ancient library at Alexandria was burned, the science at the time was fairly advanced, yet religion was still wide spread. Many say the evil in this world proves the nonexistence of God, but it merely demonstrates that the existence of a fair benevolent God is unlikely, it does not disprove the existence of a spiteful mean deity or deities that takes pleasure in torturing everything conscious he may or may not have created. The religions I know of have an explanation for the existence of evil, although on close examination they all seem rather lame.

I suggest the reader who has a need for faith study the religions of the world; maybe he can find something he can believe in. It is my belief that all religions were concocted to control degeneracy within their group, and foster the proliferation and prosperity of the authors' people, or to provide an easy, prosperous, status full life for their originators, priests or preachers, but maybe some will beg to differ, although methinks they are practising denial.

I feel as we near the end of our lives we should all attempt to delude ourselves that a deity or deities will give us a wonderful afterlife. It is possible. I might win a lottery.

Sources: My own thought experiments and input from forgotten sources.

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