The Author
"We are living in an era of growing uncertainty and insecurity that is
challenging all our beliefs and assumptions. In these troubled times it
is crucial that we acquire some understanding of just who we are as a
species, why we exist and how best we may order our lives and societies
within the universal scheme of things."
- Eugene D. A. Bell-Gam
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Excerpts from ..
INTRODUCTION |
RELIGION ON ORIGIN |
SCIENCE ON ORIGIN 1 |
SCIENCE ON ORIGIN 2 |
FOCUSING ON PURPOSE |
SOLAR LABORATORY THEORY |
IMPLICATIONS OF THE THEORY |
Introduction
[abridged excerpts]
Timeless Questions, Shifting Answers
... Our sun is but one of billions of stars in the universe. In the last
two years astronomers have discovered over one hundred so-called
'exoplanets' around other stars. Distant planetary systems are coming
to light that are more and more like our own solar system. The question
for scientists is no longer 'if' there is an identical planet elsewhere
that can sustain, or already sustains, life. It is 'when' and how soon
we are likely to make that exciting discovery ... Jolted by such startling
possibilities an increasing number of people
of all backgrounds and beliefs are re-evaluating our earthly existence
and our possible role in the universe.
... We have now achieved the ability to access areas previously restricted
to Mother Nature. As at no time before in our history, we are able to
examine issues about life with a great volume of factual information to
hand. An enormous amount of religious and scientific material exists on
questions of origin; i.e. how the universe and life may or may not have
started. However (and surprisingly) there has been little logical
examination of the why question.
... Alongside all the exciting progress there are some very perplexing
conundrums, the answers to which continue to elude us. For example,
just as we started thinking that Albert Einstein's theory on matter and
energy was the ultimate foundation of physics, we were hit with
the disconcerting theory of Quantum Mechanics that threatens to
overturn established laws. Atoms and their constituents exhibit a
mysterious ability to exist in more than one place or in different
states at a time.
... The mysteries and paradoxes of quantum mechanics
perplexed scientists for much of the twentieth century. Einstein described the
dual-existence property of atoms as "spooky" and concluded that the
underlying theory must be incomplete because "God does not play dice".
However quantum physicists are now telling us that there could be
parallel universes or multiverses.
... The implications are simply mind-blowing. Humans could have replicas
that are existing simultaneously in different universes and undergoing
different experiences!
... Predictably the new knowledge has generated all manner of controversy and prompted
fierce debate among scientists, theologians and philosophers ...
Suddenly, scientific research has become a matter for general public concern ...
The role of science in philosophical debate has to change, and fast.
... Forget old sterile disputes over evolution versus creation
teaching on the school curriculum. Children must be alerted to the crucial issues
that are posed by the new life-altering science. But to make correct choices
they will need some understanding of life's purpose, however incomplete.
After all no one will attempt (or even propose) alterations to a complex piece
of machinery, or to its production process, without first ascertaining its purpose.
Conflicting Indoctrination
History, religion and culture catch us in the society we are born into ...
I had a strict Christian upbringing. Sundays were solemn, spartan affairs;
no work or leisure activities whatsoever. Church was obligatory. Our generation
grew up with the image of God as a stern, old white man with a long beard who will
punish you severely for the slightest misdemeanour unless you could get his son
Jesus to intervene on your behalf. But the price of securing God's mercy was high:
Jesus had to die on the cross. So every time you did something naughty you got a
thrashing from elders who berated you at the same time for 'crucifying the dear
Lord all over again'. A terrible guilt burden for under-10 year olds, and an
unholy excuse for some adults to indulge in sadism at our expense.
... When I was about six years old I attended a Catholic school briefly. I learnt
Hail Mary and the junior Catechism ...
This sort of simple instruction may be enough to awe the average child
and dissuade further inquiry. But as we grow older and absorb formal
education, we soon discover that religion conflicts with rational
science.
Many people deal with the conflict by compartmentalising religion and
science. They handle each area independently and attempt no
reconciliation. Others are unable to live with this separation and end
up rejecting one or the other. For those who reject, the passion to
rebut what they perceive as scientific 'heresy' or religious
'brainwashing' -- depending on their stance -- becomes a crusade.
Indeed, some scientific principles have assumed the status of doctrine
and are now defended as fiercely as religious beliefs.
Unfortunately the objective research that will advance our
understanding of life is being held back by such vested interests.
Professionals tend to start from a religious or agnostic standpoint and
then advance skewed 'evidence' and biased arguments to support their
positions. Worse, they demand that we must support one camp or the
other.
But are the camps that mutually exclusive? Maybe there are no
contradictions here. Perhaps there is a logical bridge somewhere
between the factual that we can test empirically, and the perceived
that we are as yet unable to prove physically. Rather than outright
dismissal by sceptics, the challenge must be taken up to stretch the
boundaries of science to possible logical explanations for
'unscientific' phenomena.
There are grounds for optimism. Astrologers tell us that we are living
in the Age of Aquarius, the Zodiac sign associated with freethinking
and problem solving. This trend is expected to continue for the next
two thousand years. Already we are seeing more and more respected
scientists put their reputation on the line with theories on difficult
topics that were taboo just a few years ago. The term 'paranormal' may
not survive beyond the first couple of decades in the new millennium.
What we accept today as proven science may well become recorded as
silly superstition in a future age. In the absence of conclusive
empirical evidence and quantitative proof, theories of all shades will
come and go. On this, at least, scientists, theologians and
philosophers are all agreed.
Importance Of The Debate
It is vitally important that we arrive at a logical understanding of
our purpose on earth and our place within the wider universe.
... We have arrived at a major crossroads in human history. The relentless
march of science into areas that can alter the very nature of our being
and our environment urges a speedy reassessment of old ideas, beliefs
and inquiry methods. We need to elevate well-reasoned philosophical
argument to the same status as 'expert' theory. After all, it is the
testing of theoretical argument that leads to the discovery of factual
knowledge.
... So far, the quest for answers has focused on opposing scientific versus
religious propositions. Are we merely complicated physical entities as
the materialists claim, or do we derive from some higher spiritual
plane? Perhaps we have devoted too much energy to these questions and
not nearly enough to investigating just why we are around at all.
Usually you can learn much more about the purpose of a product from its
composition and functioning than you can from its origin. In other
words, what is the usefulness of a thing and to whom or what might it
have such use?
... As we speculate on the usefulness or otherwise of
our own existence, it makes sense to search for credible inferences
from the natural and scientific evidence at our disposal. That is the
route I intend to follow in this book.
[Read more ... get the book]
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The Book
Pen Press, London
ISBN: 1-904018-86-6
Buy it now!
BOOK CONTENTS
Preface
1. INTRODUCTION
Timeless Questions,
Shifting Answers
Crisis and Contradiction
Conflicting Indoctrination
Importance of the Debate
2. RELIGION ON ORIGIN
What is Religion?
Early Accounts of Origin
Creation Science
Common Ground with Science
3. SCIENCE ON ORIGIN
PART 1: THE UNIVERSE
What do we mean by Science?
Astronomy
Cosmology
Big-Bang Theory
Problems with Big-Bang
More Missing Pieces
Where is it all heading?
Common Ground with Religion
4. SCIENCE ON ORIGIN
PART 2: LIFE
Evolution
Darwinism
Impact of Modern Genetics
Problems with Evolution
Evolution, Religion & Social Science
What Next?
5. FOCUSING ON PURPOSE
Why restrict Inquiry?
Is it all a futile exercise?
Modern Design Science
Wrong Assumptions
6. THE SOLAR LABORATORY THEORY
An Expendable Experiment
Recording Mechanisms - Memory
Timing Mechanisms
Sleep
Dreaming
Memory Consolidation and Storage
Memory Retrieval
Consciousness and The Mind-Brain
Death
Quantum Unreality
Influencing Mechanisms
7. IMPLICATIONS OF THE THEORY
The Role of Free Will
The Good-Evil Paradox
Morality and Religion
The Problem with Religion
Morality outside Religion
Chances of Intervention
False Security
8. DEVELOPMENTS
9. FURTHER READING
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