Tuesday, May 04, 2010


Finding God


some of the mystics
claim that there is no truth
outside of paradox

Logic fails to explain anything beyond the technical, physical, visible. For instance, conscience. Science has no reasonable, logical, or even sensible explanation for human consciousness. Some claim it's just like parallel programming in computers, but that pales in comparison to actually being sentient and having the ability to interact, care for, have conflict with, or befriend other sentient beings.

I've been interested to find that in Eastern Orthodox Christianity, there is an emphasis on paradox (dynamic conflict). In fact, some of the mystics claim that there is no truth outside of paradox. So here's where I'm left:

Science can't prove God's existence or lack of existence. But neither can it explain morality, emotion, desire, consciousness.

Art, on the other hand, can't tell you much about a rocket's trajectory, the volume of the universe, or the energy contained in an atom. But what other language exists for exploring the soul? For expressing passion and pain? For finding God?

Maybe the real problem isn't with God. Maybe the problem is with the tools, the words, the kind of thinking we use to understand who or what God is.

2 comments:

M said...

I just read this aloud and Pete is nodding vehemently... and now he's launching into his schpiel about what percent we have right... and I'm shutting him down because he's preaching to the choir. Thanks. :)

Eric Muhr said...

I've missed a few Wednesdays. Will be good to get back.