The Advent of Individual Universalism

Religious Humanism versus Secular Creationism

The Advent of Individual Universalism

Certain precepts of evolutionary/philosophical doctrine are made problematic by the temporary absence of specific fragments of information. Data that is crucial to a complete and credible explanation for the existence of all that is. Until such gaps are made whole by demonstrable theories and provable facts, the origins of life in general, and of human beings in particular, will remain clouded by superstition and religious dogma.

The atheist relies on faith to the same degree as does the most devout Christian. The enigma of existence is more a mystery of why we are here, why now, and why us. And in addition, why it, why them, why this or that? Some possible answers include: Why not here, why not now, and why not ourselves? Precisely because it is this and not something else, because it is these and not an unknowable that or those.

Though the cosmos is apparently based on diversity, within parameters governed by a set of strict physical laws, it does not seem unreasonable that everything would be interrelated in similar if not identical ways. Given that the laws of physics operate in the same way everywhere, then everything should evolve by virtue of a single or very similar model.

This topic also touches upon notions and concepts of multi-dimensionality. The existence of multiple dimensions would function according to different models understood only at the dim fringes of comprehensibility. For the purpose of this essay, only matters reasonably understood will be dealt with. Grasping the significance and meaning of known territories which are themselves largely unexplored, without trails, absent a compass or guide, represents a duly sufficient challenge.

Much of the cosmological history of our world is known. Much of what is not understood is nonetheless illuminated by a multitude of theories, hypotheses, and educated guesswork. Most discoveries and events responsible for what we do understand -- on many levels -- remain, however, largely incomprehensible. The situation is similar to how one can be taught to operate and drive an automobile, yet possess little or no knowledge of how or why the vehicle itself works. Only that it moves under its own power when operated appropriately.

In like fashion, the processes of change that continually happen all about us, and to us, are observable, predictable, and documented in terms of the fossil and geological record. Though such changes can be cataloged and measured (the car can be made to go), explanations as to how and why they take place represent one of the great scientific challenges yet to be deciphered. Only the world’s religious communities find the quest for such answers mostly futile and irrelevant. They believe that faith and scriptures already reveal the only truths that need be known.

Good men and women of honorable heart and decent intention persist in the misguided belief that science and religion are not necessarily in conflict with one another. That each somehow complements the other. This temporary and popular viewpoint is possible and true only because science has yet to answer the big questions, to fully strengthen the somewhat rickety framework of evolutionary thinking. Such ideas are temporary because science is on the thresholds of numerous, virtually unlimited discoveries and inventions that will finally force irrevocable changes in traditional religious teachings.

If God is to survive the coming onslaught of new truths, He, She, or It must shed a cloak of judgmental omnipotence in favor of a more predictable omnipresence. An anthropomorphic status as Supreme Being, the Almighty, must be relinquished in favor of a Purity of Being, of simply being. And all the while, remaining simple to understand, embrace, and worship.