Saturday, March 13, 2010

Life, Everlasting

Humankind has always been fascinated with the prospect of somehow finding an elixir that would turn mortality around. The search for the Fountain of Life animated a lot of explorations in the ancient world, and resulted in a great deal of disappointment on the part of those who desperately believed that fount of life could be found and that humans need never again face the imminence of death. Of course there was always the firm conviction of religious belief in life after death as a fall-back position.

Perhaps, however, people thought that they would prefer to enjoy the option of remaining on Earth forever, rather than ascending to Heaven and facing who-knew-what-kind of prolongation of life on another sphere, in another form? In any event, it's entirely possible that human beings, like children, search endlessly for the emotional comfort of defeating death and in so doing remain dependent on faith in the Divine for that very purpose.

In that vein it's interesting to note that eight in ten Americans depend upon God for guidance in decision-making, and the vast majority of Americans believe God has direct concern in their personal affairs. Seven out of 10 believe that everything that happens, bad or good, is in accord with God's plan, while six in 10 believe the Almighty has set the course of their lives. Predestination, so why bother setting a course on one's own?

According to Canadian data, a national survey elicited the response that 82% of the population believes in God, with half that number believing they have direct experience in God's presence. Over 70% of Canadians believe in "miraculous healing". A new study has led to a publication titled God's Brain, the brainchild of Michael McGuire, a researcher and psychiatrist, and Lionel Tiger, a well-known anthropologist and writer.

"We wanted to understand the mechanism in the brain that fosters religion. We're really interested in what is going on in humans that stimulates, permits and codifies the endurance of religion. It's a major scientific mystery. Our intent was to describe what might animate and support this notion of the sacred in such a complex set of different societies and circumstances", explained Professor Tiger on a stop in Toronto.

Religion, the book contends, responds to the brain's innate need to provide answers to difficult questions. "For the majority of humans it appears that biology lacks critical and highly desirable features compared to those offered by most of the world's religions", write the authors. "Small wonder religion takes the cake." Well, yes, there's nothing quite like the comfort seen by infants in the controlling presence of its parents.

Human beings have deliberately infantalized part of themselves in the process of achieving comfort with their environment. An environment that very often presents as alien, hostile and fearsome. To feel that there is an animating Spirit of ineffable power and presence that is responsible for everything that exists, and which is also a kindly one, regarding humankind as its responsibility, unlike cold, dismissive Nature, is the ultimate in emotional comfort.

Belief in the Almighty is a powerful stress reliever. A salvation from mental distress caused by poor behavioural choices (forgiveness); and by circumstances (predestination), beyond the control of puny human nature, leading inevitably to that most precious of all emotional resources; to hope. Devotion alleviates desperation. Instinct searches for relief from reality, finding it in a belief in a higher order.

That higher order instructs those who wish to believe, in the manner in which they should order their lives - albeit through the intervention of human-inspired devices such as holy scriptures - which certain assigned, blessed individuals have been tasked with teaching through divine prophecy, on God's behalf. Or rather, at His behest. Religious practise and service fulfills our inner emotional needs in a community of the like-minded.

Humans are basically gregarious creatures, finding ease and comfort in one another's presence, and when groups of dedicated believers converge, they find additional comfort together, in praise of the Lord whose business it is to know everything and dictate everything to occur in an eminently precise manner. In a best-case scenario praying together leads to pacification of emotional burdens and concerns.

And then, of course, there is that ultimate, the very pinnacle of hope, the one that promises salvation through an afterlife. A true stroke of genius, soothing peoples' ultimate fears ... of death ... of surcease ... of the bleakness of non-existence. Is that all there is, God? Raises the anguished plea for continued life. Well, there is that, and there is life ever-after. Be good and it shall be yours.

People respect the need to give devotion to the unproven, through simple faith in God's existence. The devout have full trust in His existence. That trust leads to a sense of inner peace. The pity of it all is that human beings desperately cling to the comfort and the sense of peace, and the belief in the hereafter, while ignoring the larger message of Peace.

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posted by Pieface @ Saturday, March 13, 2010

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