Framework of understanding. Part 1

Framework of understanding

Part 1: Ultimate reality must be tied to the Big Bang and evolution

So, what is this framework of understanding that might have universal appeal for both believers and non-believers? It would not mean that everyone must become a believer, but it would attach belief to ultimate reality in a way that everyone would accept is valid. Now, of course, this sounds strange because for believers, God is ultimate reality. But this is the very point in dispute, so we must not use it in order to justify faith. Instead, we must show that faith is justified even from the atheist side of the debate.

So, for thousands of years, the natural framework of understanding for just about everyone was expressed in the words: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth”. This made sense to just about everyone. It was the obvious explanation for reality. It also chimed in exactly with what religious people said was their experience of God’s presence and love. So, in my journey of doubt there have been two spheres of thought: my experience of God and my doubts about what those experiences actually are. And I have had to fight hard to keep the two spheres in harmony. However, for most of human history, those two spheres clearly overlapped because humanity’s framework of understanding was that reality cannot exist without God. Now just get on enjoying living in his presence. However, in the modern age, it is scientific discoveries that have raised doubts about whether faith in God is justified.

So, what is the ultimate framework of understanding that we must now use in order to tie our thoughts firmly to ultimate reality? It depends on the two fundamental ideas underpinning our understanding of the universe and ourselves: the Big Bang and evolution. Whatever we decide in any “pool of thought” – faith or any other ideology – must have firm ties to these fundamental facts.