Secrets of Truth
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| Photo by Cathleen Tarawhiti |
Imagine you are wandering in a forest. The sun is filtering through the trees, brushing deep shadows and vibrant colors on the landscape. Nestled within the woods, you find a dark pool. At first, it seems dull and ordinary, but there is something bewitching in its murky waters that beckons you closer. Peering into its surface, all you can see is the swirling of blues and blacks. You get up to leave, but then you notice, swimming in the pool are tiny glowing creatures. You gaze at them for a time and find that deeper down, you can just barely make out the flashes of silver fish, dancing among each other. You stare into the pool for hours, discovering bigger and more bizarre creatures in the pool's depths. The longer you stare, the more magical the pool becomes. Each new discovery becomes more difficult, obscured by the darkness of the water's depths. You wonder if you have unearthed all the pool's secrets. Is there more to discover, beyond what you can see? Perhaps there are secrets within the pool that are impossible to know.
Scientific advancements and modern technology have deepened our vision into this “Pool of Truth.” As we stretch the limits of our scientific ken, each new leap in understanding becomes more extravagant. The LHC particle accelerator alone cost nine billion dollars to build. Is there a limit to what we can discover through scientific observation? Somewhere deep inside the pool is a barrier between science and religion. Science seeks to extend our vision just a few inches deeper. Religion tries to discover what lies at the bottom of the pool. Will the vision of these two philosophies ever meet? Or are some secrets simply impossible to know?
You're quite an eloquent writer.
ReplyDeleteIt's an interesting allegory. I like that you suggest how science and religion seem to be looking at the same thing - the pool and everything in it. However, they are looking for different reasons. It seems like science is looking for the what, even in this story. Religion typically looks for the why. It's hard to see that in this example, though, because the bottom of the pool doesn't necessarily constitute a 'why'. However, looking for the bottom of the pool is analogous to looking for the best, most spectacular details in the pool, since everything as you get deeper is more fantastic than what was viewed before. It's an interesting analogy.
It's interesting to consider whether science will ever be able to quantitatively identify spiritual phenomena. Let's assume the barrier you mention exists and such phenomena is physically impossible to identify. If our scientific understanding ever makes it there, will we interpret the barrier as the bottom of the pool? Many already discount religion through science, but could we arrive at a place where the entire world considers God's existence to be a proven falsehood?
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