Thursday, June 28, 2007

Penny Cheque for your thought

I think I wrote my review on the book somewhere some time ago right when I was done and my mind was still full of words. Maybe I'll post it later if I can find it.

In the mean time though you'll just have to bear with me because I've had these thoughts for a while now and I just need to pen them down somewhere. C.S. Lewis wrote the whole human race is not made up of individuals but rather we're like a single organism.

So if you're a heart, your neighbour is a kidney, your friend an eye and your enemy a rectum (totally anal, low down and disgusting but serves a function)

Or um actually, he can be a hepatic vein thrombus, causing hepatosplenomegaly, ascites and portal hypertension - destruction left and right; totally unrelated to you and if you're a heart you don't feel the effect anyway and yet it needs to be treated for the survival of the entire organism. Because when the organism dies the heart goes with it.

As far as I'm concerned that's about the best analogy I've heard (I accidentally wrote "I've got"just now which is arrogant beyond words and I apologise to Mr.Lewis) so far about the human race that properly advocates a better world and the value of humanity. Hell, United world of Benetton doesn't even come close (and why should it anyway, the slogan that bodes well but serves the purpose of a capitalist?)

What struck me as I read the book was that while his points are beautifully argued, I cannot help but think that there's got to be a starting point somewhere and this starting point is: either we believe or we don't. And it so follows then that we're in a bind : if we do not (and it DOES exist), aren't we all doomed? but if there IS a higher power then shouldn't this power be bothered with finding ways to ensure that everyone does in the end for what would be the point if there are some who do not? Obviously the fault with this line thought is that we presume we know what it wants.

I shall make a bold statement: if you believe and you're intelligent enough, you would find a way to argue about your belief. And his words can be so convincing when placed alongside an argument whose approach I understand entirely. But then again like he said, if I were to be swayed so easily by mere words and arguments then I'm a bad christian as much as I am a bad atheist.

The comforting thoughts he put in mind though is the argument that humanity now is a phase to prepare for the next life; where death is an inevitable part of the transition. We're like obstinate toy soldiers refusing to be turned alive- from tin to flesh- and the part of us that resists this transition the most is the part of us that is still tin.

What comforting thoughts can you conjure up in your mind in the face of someone's death anyway? That it's better to die than be left behind? That thought; it doesn't work. Because I think nobody really gets the concept of "forever" until that day comes anyway.

He said that a law in physics has a formula as its manifestation. The formula is true and representative of the whole thing. But it's not an image and his arguments are like a diagrams of law of physics on a textbook; it is not entirely the truth but it is AROUND the truth; the shadow of the truth that you can see and if it doesn't help you then you should drop it. I like the way he said that it's not an absolute. That's being reasonable and it sounds humble.

Be a good man and have a religion or have a religion and be a good man? What's the cause and effect? From the social point of view (as opposed to personal), what's the point of having a religion if it doesn't turn you into a better man? But how would you like it if I say : what's the point of being good if you don't have a religion?

If you're being good, being good IS the point, religion or no religion.
And let me quote "you can be good for the sake of being good but you can't be bad for the sake of being bad". I have yet to find a counter-argument for that. I'm still trying. Perhaps there really is none but if I find it one day maybe I'll write a book about that.

Anyway it's pretty late and I'm shacked and um I have to go console my niece (maybe she's not really my niece but this time of the day is really not the time to sort out family relationship so I'll leave it at that) because she's crying as it's her last day of school; graduating from primary school and worried she won't be able to see her friends again. I came up with some corny sayings that's way wayyy overused and perhaps over-rated as well but what the hell, cliche doesn't become a cliche for no reason, no?

Grinning Goat at 6/28/2007 11:54:00 PM pontificated

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{buzzz out}