Design ex nihilo

If we are to believe those who claim to be divinely inspired, everything that we know as some part of Creation has been the result of some purposeful design that is being carved out of perpetual chaos--or out of nothingness. The fundamental desire underneath this perception of design is anchored in human ego that fears the unknown and seeks to find exception to the obvious impersonal "laws" that have governed creation for multi-billions of years.

"Design," of course, implies intellect capable of abstract thought and which also possesses emotional concern for that which it seeks to create. The manner in which Creation seems to have unfolded and evolved seems to indicate that there are actions that we think of as "laws" that prevail over the creation process. Unfortunately for those who champion the "design" theory, the "laws" through which creation activity occurs have always functioned in a totally impersonal manner. To set aside any natural "law" for some specific-effect purpose, as the notion of "miracles" suggest, would instantly thrust all Creation into oblivion.

The circumstances that are interpreted as due to "design" and credited to a being addressed as God or Allah or some other title implies a being that is itself a defined entity that stands responsible for all that makes up existence. The problem with that assertion is that anything that is even vaguely definable is rendered identifiable by a condition of limitations! The extended problems that then arise with the theory of an identifiable creator are the tendencies to theologically assess all that is accepted as reality in negative probabilities or outright absurdities.

Among the many questions in regard to an intelligent designer is the problem of an obvious lack of benevolence toward any dimension of conscious life. Much of life dies in agony, too much life perishes after only a brief chance, droughts and floods destroy capriciously, the constant violence induged in by man indicates that mental deragement is widespread, diseases run rampant, enslavement, ethnic murder--the list could go on too long to suggest that there is an omniscient, benevolent "designer" of all that has manifested as energy-matter and life. Even the bulk of the so-called "good book" pivots upon wars and violence and greed and treacheries that do not exactly support a notion that a benevolent being or personal creator regards all of creation's catastrophes as a beautiful design.

If there is any benevolence or moral potential in creation it has to issue out of the evolving qualities of life, not directly out of the impersonal energy-forces that provide only the substance for intelligent life to evolve. Everyone will gain in moral quality and personal contentment only when they learn that the labyrinth known as religion is made to gratify man's ego, and man himself is not made for religion.

Fear of Diversity

The world today is troubled with societies and cultures that are influenced not by a passion for Truth but by man-conceived religious practices that attempt to herd everyone into servitude through indoctrinization, strict rituals, and rigid regimentation. The hallmarks of such religious posturing are seen in the heavy indulgence in faultfinding, finger-pointing, name-calling, and passing judgment upon anyone unlike themselves. Everyone is thus intimidated and discouraged from celebrating their personal unique perspective of life.

Along with this contrived approach to spirit, these faiths exhibit a shocking ignorance of our place and purpose in the universe, which has in turn encouraged a shameful disregard for nature and the welfare of our little planet.

Indeed, there has been displayed a deep contempt for nature in highly organized religions, and they continue to insist that there can be no deviation from their narrow man-conceived ideologies. These faith systems fail to acknowledge the respect that the universe has for diversity. Earth, the very planet that these institutionalized religions seek to constrain with their prejudices, is itself the example that disproves the hard-line notions that are used to manipulate people.

Consider: In the solar system family lineup, Earth is the unique one, the deviant one, the self-expressed rebel, and the refuge of intelligent life.

The real salvation of life--as we know it at least--is the one planet that is quite unlike all the rest of the planets in the solar system. This fact is glaringly at odds with the doctrines of organized hard-line religions that attempt to bludgeon everyone into cookie cutter sameness. What this attests to is that the intention, the necessity within creation is for diverse ways and life expressions that may develop with higher potential.

In short, diversity and variation should be recognized as the second law of Creation (the first being unlimited abundance), for any "salvation" of genuine spiritual value rests in the freedom to express uniqueness without shame.