"Just a moment, if you are implying that we must look for a coded solution to our present problem in the Scriptures of the world religions, then before proceeding any further I suggest that you find out at least some credible answer to the question of the existence or non-existence of the Creator itself. If the atheists have a stronger case, and we have only a vague faith based on Scriptures whose accuracy is anyway doubtful, then let us not waste any more time on this wild goose chase. Let the masses wallow in their opium, fighting each other, and let the scientists do what they are best at doing, that is, let them try to find a way out of this crisis. If they succeed within time, we will be saved. If not, well the extra-terrestrials who may pass by this planet some day in the future, would know that at least we tried, and failed. After all, from the beginning of civilisation till today, several townships have been wiped out by natural catastrophes, and not all of them can be accused to rival Sodom or Gomorra. In those towns, there must have been children, too innocent to differentiate between right and wrong, and some citizens who were God fearing, loving, and good to others etc. etc." Dr. Keplar was the first to react when Hamza floated his suggestion before an assembly of his space station colleagues. The vehemence, the passion, and the anger showed that he was either a chronic atheist or an easily excitable man.
"Creator factor is a fascinating and mysterious subject." Dr. Drake was a senior scientist and resembled a very likeable half human, half Vulcan character Mr. Spock from an ancient Tv serial 'Star Trek'. Hamza could not guess his age, but it must have been within the age limits prescribed for a space mission. "It has always excited the most intelligent and the most stupid..," Hamza was again unable to guess which category was meant for Dr. Keplar "..And it is still being studied vigorously by extremely sharp men of knowledge and intellect, from all walks of life. But, no one has yet succeeded in really proving or disproving the existence of a Creator."
"Dr. Drake, two third of humanity is supposed to believe in the Creator factor. Do you really think that all this faith is without any tangible evidence of His existence?" This question had come from an eternally inquisitive young engineer Reeve, responsible for maintenance of life support systems of the space station.
"Surprisingly yes, but the statement should be amended to include that we neither have the proof for His existence nor for His non-existence."
"What do you mean?"
"There are basically four ways through which humanity has tried to discern the reality behind the concept of a Creator." Dr. Drake opened his broad palm and began counting on his fingers. "Through experiences and knowledge of spiritualists and mystics; through philosophical reasoning; through the testimony of prophets down the ages; and through scientific examination and observation of the world for evidences of a Design and a Designer of this Creation."
"And did none of these sources provide a definite knowledge of Creator?" Reeves asked again.
"The metaphysical experiences of mystics and spiritualists the world over, not only do not tally with each other, but such experiences also can not be verified individually. Therefore they are unreliable by their very nature."
"What about philosophical arguments for the existence of God?" Hamza asked.
"The philosophical reasoning started with Greeks, who tried to comprehend the reality of the First Cause but could not succeed. Then Arab scientists coming in contact with Greek logic tried to correlate the philosophy and reason with their Scripture, but that movement also failed and Creator factor remained a matter of personal belief. Saint Anselm in the west meanwhile, provided Ontological arguments for the existence of God, and after him Saint Thomas Aquinas gave arguments that became known as 'Five Ways'. But, unfortunately, as later philosophers showed, none of them could succeed in proving the existence of God satisfactorily."
"What about the third way you outlined. Doesn't the testimony of prophets provide a definite concept of Creator?" The question was asked by Dr. Isaac, the science officer of the space station, a serious and sensitive man, and a devout Jew.
"Except Buddha, who did not want to talk about metaphysics, Scriptures of other world's authentic religions, do provide us a definite concept of God. But these concepts are contradictory. The belief in the Vedas as a revealed wisdom is an essential part of Hindu religion. But the latitude permitted in the interpretation of Vedas is so wide that atheistic Sankhya philosophy of Kapila and the polytheism of Puranas are both recognized as orthodox. Besides Vedanta philosophy give us an organic concept of God while the God of Judaism, Christianity and Islam is understood to be an ultimate 'Father in the Heaven' figure. And even this 'Father in the Heaven' concept is not without differences. The God of Israel and Islam is single, but the God of Christianity is a Trinity of three persons. Then this is not all. There are differences in the God of Israel and Islam also. It is for these reasons, and the fact that there is no infallible way to judge the accuracy of these Scriptures, that men of knowledge have always found the exercise of scientific reasoning as being the more acceptable way to prove or disprove the existence of God."…
The Fire
The Preacher
The Fire
The Preacher