Ok. I have started two blogs already and stopped them both because I couldn't find any momentum!! My heart just wasn't in them. Let's see if I can keep this one going. . .

You guys may or may not have noticed that I revamped my profile recently. More importantly you may have noticed my new title thingy If not here it is;

If nobody hears a tree fall in the forest - does it make a sound?

I love this question!! In it (to me anyway) are contained not only questions of religion and faith, but also the Force and people who believe in it. Allow me to elaborate. We define noise as something we hear correct? Yet if nobody is around when this supposed tree falls, then technically it did not make a sound!! Yet we know that's not true. So instead of forming the truth around the definition, we would have to form the definition around the truth. Following so far? Good. So the new question is, what is noise? Clearly something we hear is only part of the definition, and we would probably have to cross over into a more scientific explanation. Perhaps along the lines of:

A noise is a vibration of sorts that can only be detected when in contact with air at the source of the noise, and varies in pitch and frequency with a fraction of them being detectable by human ears, which is called hearing.

Not the best definition I know (hey that's not my major) but I think it illustrates the concept. To really define noise would take a considerably larger amount of depth in explanatory energy than we as fast paced humans prefer. So we simplify it (or as a girl I know would say) "dumb it down a shade" to keep in line with our fast moving society. That's fine. Nothing wrong with it at all. But what if the tree and the noise it makes when it falls isn't the only time we "dumb it down a shade" in order keep our lives simple? Maybe, just maybe (and here I may catch some flak) people have done that with religion too. This transcedes me being Christian and you being whatever you are. . . Let's take this back to the beginning of time. How did everything come to be? Darwin had a theory. Carl Woese had a theory. And many others embellished upon them. Let's start with Darwin.

Evolution huh? So basically we are accidents. Our lives have no meaning, because we just happen to be part of the selection of cells that evolved into humanity as we know it. Now personally, that sucks! That does give a halfway explanation as to why people behave the way they do. If they are accidents and ultimately have no meaning, then life is truly what they make it! They can do what they please (be it good or bad), because their lives have no meaning anyway!! Carl Woese said basically that a giant supernova occurred billions of years ago, and that everything came to be in its aftermath. After that there was a biogeochemical soup on Earth and life appeared. Fascinating stuff. Except there is one teeny, weeny little problem. Where did the matter come from in the first place? For the sake of argument let's say that evolution is real. Where did the matter come from? One of the fundamental laws of science states that "In a chemical reaction matter is neither created nor destroyed." So then that rules out science having anything to do with the earth's creation or the life that dwells on it!! Which means that someone had to make it. And that someone had to be completely superior to everyone. No one could supercede him. GOD.

But if that is true, then that might possibly mean that there is a standard. That in many things (not all) there really is an objective truth. Which might mean that my life is not my own to command. Which might mean that I would have to do what God wants me to. I've already got enough on my plate; why would do something like that? Naw. Easier to say evolution. Even though the more that scientists are discovering points to some ambiguous Creator. . . Best to just play it simple. Say evolution. Or even better. Say that yeah God created everything, but He doesn't own me!! My life is my own? Tell me. If you make something on a potting wheel that comes to life, and you place it in a city, and give it struggles to strengthen it as well as pleasures so that it is happy, AND give it knowledge of you and the reassurance that when it wears out it will come to be with you where it will be in a perfect environment - does it own itself? Yeah it has free will and can choose to not do what you are advising, but it is a tender object!! Without you guidance it will ultimately meet certain oblivion. It belongs to you, and owes you its life. Its very existence!!

But where did God come from? What created God? You can't prove God exists. . . Can't I? Pay close attention. This is where people sometimes get lost. Everybody is familiar with math right? Variables and whatnot. Suppose there is an equation: 4 + 7 = x Yeah, yeah we all know what "x" equals, but where did it come from? X represents the unknown. So where did this unknown come from? 4 is a number. Plus is a mathematical sign. 7 is a number. Equals is also a mathematical sign. "X" is the unknown. So where did x come from? It simply is. You can't prove where x came from. You can't prove that it exists. BUT, you can tell that exists by following the clues. 4 + 7 = 11. Ah! So now we know that "X" has the value of 11. Still can't prove that "x" existed. Still can't explain where it came from. But we can give it's value, and usefulness based on the evidence surrounding it.

But if you believe in all of this then you have a responsibility to God. But that can seem kind of stressful, so better to say my life is how I live it. It's how you play the game not how you end the game and all that jazz. Great stuff! Sayings like that are nice to be able to toss around, but without God to give them substance - they are like a car with no gas. A trap with no bait. They look nice and effective, but are essentially useless.

So how does this tie in? Simple. If a tree doesn't make noise because nobody hears it, then essentially God doesn't exist because you can't see Him or hear Him (out loud) or because of some other way He doesn't fit into the mold that you framed in your mind about God. But, if a tree does make a noise even if nobody hears it, then God does exist regardless of whether he fits your mold or not!! So then, just as we need to redefine our definition of noise by what actually happens - by the truth. So we should also know that God exists based on what has happened (the Creation of earth, life, the underlying structure to everything that science still can't explain) as well as the truth. Now if you want to discuss about what's happening in the world, rapists, murderers and whatnot, you first have to admit to Gods existence and His purpose for your life. Then you can talk about your view of His ethics and how he allows the world to run. But if you're on the outside looking in, then you really don't have that right

If anybody has any questions comment away!! This is one blog where you can actually fill up the comments in that fashion. Or you can email me if you're not comfortable, responding publicly to the blog. And please people. . . you know me (more or less anyway). Don't take offense. Let's be mature about this (open minded of course) and discuss this like adults

My hands are tired, but I'll write the Star Wars parallel sometime over the weekend hopefully. . .

May the Force be with you!!


EDIT: I totally forgot to mention this. If you already believe in God, stop by anyway!! If you have faith in Him, let me know what you think about what I've said. This isn't only for those who don't believe or anything like that. This is a family affair

EDIT: The comments are a little on the full side, but if you think I should continue this discussion in another blog then please drop me line via email (unless the comments aren't full then you can let me know there).

Thanks!!