As part of scientific living, we provision ourselves with a broad perspective by integrating inputs from science, philosophy, and religion into a broad concept of evolution. This concept includes some idea of (1) the evolution of our universe from its origin down to the present and into the future; (2) biological evolution, including ecology and health for ourselves and others; (3) psychological growth; and (4) historical progress. In the light of this broad concept, we attune our attitudes and our scientific action to participate wisely in progressive evolution. To integrate inputs from science and religion requires philosophy; so this discussion anticipates discussions yet to come. Today we begin speaking of the cosmos as a whole.
The most all-encompassing scientific discipline is cosmology, the attempted science of the universe, of all that is (or all creation). Humanly speaking, the most important question in cosmology is what kind of a universe this is: Is it on the whole a cold and unfriendly universe or a friendly universe? There is a tendency to let scientific cosmology answer the question. But scientific cosmology eliminates any consideration of a Creator, while philosophical cosmology—if part of a religious philosophy—can include the thought of a Creator.
We can regard the universe as friendly in the following ways. It supports life. It is intelligible to a significant degree. It provides an environment of dependable facts and causes that we can work with. It gives us the prospect of a friendlier world if we cooperate. And it allows us to believe in a Friend we cannot see and a destiny we cannot prove.
Do you agree that these five observations support the thought that the universe is friendly? Do you embrace an overall concept of a friendly universe? If so, when do you feel the universe to be friendly? How does that overall attitude make a difference in your life? What more reasons in favor of a friendly universe can you give?
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Even from the truly mortal prospective, including all the attributes that make us mortal
including the death penalty, the universe is friendly. The death penalty is a condition of
our existence. As you have pointed out, the universe is friendly in that it has set into
motion a process that not only has given us life, but has given us minds to acquire
knowledge and wisdom. With this knowledge and wisdom, we experience the beneficence of
the universes. And as you have indicated if we cooperate with the design that continually
indicates that while we are individuals, survival requires that we remember we are also a
part of the whole, and should act accordingly. “No man is an island.” Already we have
much, much, more knowledge that we are using, knowledge that if applied to all parts of
the whole would allow us to appreciate the gifts that the universe bestows upon us. And as
life continues to evolve, we shall surely witness that the universe is friendly to us even from
a purely mortal perspective.
From a personal point of view I think that as I expand, my cosmological philosophy to
include religious philosophy which includes not only the idea of a creator but the idea that
there is something growing within the human mind that survives the death penalty. And if
further I include the idea of faith in my religious philosophy and the idea that a positive
relationship, even a loving one, exists between the Creator and myself, and further that the
mortal state has a transcendent concealed purpose, then I feel the universe is truly friendly,
for not only does it provide for my mortal existence, but also provides for the growing
spiritual reality inside me.
When considered in its totality, the mortal state plus the growing reality that survives
death, I can grasp with my faith, that all things, including the trials and tribulations not
only work on me but also ultimately work for me as they further stimulate my faith and
usher me into a realm of creator values and meanings, even to knowing the Creator.
James Perry
Thank you again, Dr. Perry. Your eloquent response well observes that the fact that we can acquire knowledge and wisdom gives evidence of a friendly universe.
The Universe is friendly beyond what can be imagined,it’s all set up for our spiritual progress accompanied in our lives by the gift of HIS presence in our mind.That in itself tells us all.
Martin, thank you for this wonderful observation. When we feel the infinite Embrace, feel ourselves to be surrounded in God, he in us and we in him, it is easy to sense that we have no idea of the countless ways in which in which the Friend prepares the way for us.
Our belief in the friendliness of the universe can certainly be tested when we encounter seemingly random natural calamities such as earthquakes, cyclones, droughts, and floods that result in extensive loss of life. I would be interested in the views of others as to how philosophy and religion can explain these events in ways that preserves our faith in a fundamentally friendly universe.
Love and Peace,
Julian McGarry
Julian, thank you so much for joining this conversation! Your question is enormous, and I hope you get a number of comments. I will save my reply for tomorrow’s blogpost.
Hello. I feel led to reply to your comment but take it simply as one persons musings since I have not returned from the dead (to my knowledge) making this all subjective.
People frequently ask “Why” about natural disasters as if their existence means there cannot be a loving God. This thought process is based on one perspective but I believe there are other ways of looking at things. For example:
As a “natural” disaster (earthquakes, hurricanes, etc.), isn’t it possible that these events occur as a way to maintain our planet and keep it healthy? What changes are taking place in the core of our earth and within our atmosphere that are caused by these events? For example, on a very simple level, people often complain about the rain or cold weather but both are necessary in specific amounts in certain locations of the planet.
As man creates more “unnatural” ways of extending human life are we really better off as a species? Are we happier? Then why is the use of mind-altering chemicals skyrocketing (alcohol, heroin, anti-depressants, etc.)? Are causing an “unnatural” disaster? If our planet can only sustain a limited amount of life what will happen to it if we go beyond the number it was designed to sustain? What straw will break the camels back?
And why do we label “natural” occurrences as “disasters”? For example, rain and snow are natural but when they cause negative affects (loss of property/lives, inconvenience) to human lives they are labeled a “disaster.” If we are referring to the loss of life, wouldn’t one have to then believe death to be a “bad” thing? If through your faith, you believe people pass on to a better place, why aren’t we rejoicing rather than mourning?
Is it because we feel sad for our own personal loss of that loved one in our life in which case it is a selfish grief that could be replaced by joy that our loved ones are at peace? Perhaps we even feel envy that we were left behind… ? What would a real friend want? When you leave this earth, how do you wish your friends to feel?
Cheryl, thank you for joining this conversation. I’m impressed with your going back and responding to Julian McGarry’s question, and for putting out powerful ideas and more good questions. I think your analysis of physical process is insightful: tension in quest of equilibrium does what it needs to do, with winds rushing here and tectonic plates slipping there. You also see the interconnectedness of topics in diverse areas. Regarding the question of over-straining the planet’s resources for sustaining life, I don’t think we are going to break nature (you probably didn’t imply this in a literal sense) but we will drag ourselves through more misery. I salute your attitude toward death and loss. I know that your attitude as a teacher is to give all you can to your students. Your positive energy is contagious.
Wonderful reasoning.Since is established the fact that death is not a bad thing,contrary to the general belief [in realty lack of religious faith] then we can expand the fact of a friendly universe by stating that the universe since is governed by personalty is responsive to the spiritual needs of human beings.What is left for men is to create a personal relationship with his maker, with the indwelling light.The Spirit in every human being.Hence the circle of man’s enigmas come to a close triumphantly,knowing that in every step we take He accompanies us throughout every moment,days years and eternity.Nature is not perfect,men is part of nature and subject to the consequences of imperfection.However human spiritual progress is concomitant to nature’s progressive refinement. Thank you Cheryl and Jeff for reigniting this important subject so interesting and important to all of us.
Martin, so very good to hear your voice! Thank you for your thoughts. I sometimes think that when we speak or write in general terms, as we do so much in religious philosophy, we are being tacitly autobiographical: we are not explicitly sharing our own spiritual experience, but what we communicate is based on that experience.
Yes Jeff, that’s what motivates me to share or to respond someones wondering about a particular thought and expects answers from a brother or a sister.I also believe as you do that personal experience grounded in solid soil are most of the time the basis of our expressions, religion in particular.
When people expect much from each other, it lifts the level of communication.
It might be hard to reconcile natural events on an evolutionary planet as ours with the true facts of a friendly universe governed by a loving personality and others in charge of the marching of a Master creation toward perfection.Life is uncertain in the physical plane, we are subject to natural lows.As we know gravity has its negative aspects but a necessary force to maintain equilibrium in the universe.Spiritual progress augments providence since its the result of the collective efforts to perfection and that in turn reflects in nature which also evolves in time.But the assurance of landing in a friendly universe after life on earth is provided in abundance by the continuation of life on a higher level;the initial steps of a surviving soul in the quest of the discovery of new and unsuspecting realms of exquisite existence and the ultimate discovery of its Creator.This is the subject of true religion,the matter of having faith in the fact that men by choice accepts the truth of being a son of God and by exercising his will implements all that is arranged on his behalf.
Martin, you are right. Religious faith, living faith, is necessary if we are to embrace the concept of a friendly universe in the face of physical disaster that overwhelms our human powers.