| A Discourse on Theology, Part I “So, you worship idols,” he said, thus beginning their pseudo-theological discourse. “What do you mean? I am simply praying,” the other replied. “But you pray to the cross, is that not an idol? Is it not a symbol?” “Yes, but He said not to worship idols which represent false gods,” the other said in a loud and rehearsed manner, “The worship of His symbols is not prohibited.” “Well then, how do you know that your god is not false? Where is the proof?” “Proof! If it is proof you seek then your search needs extend no further than the Book.” “I know the book of which you speak and have found that it harbors solely fallacy and myth. Surely, you do not take its words as truth.” “Indeed I do for they are His, scribed by His multitude of prophets. Nothing more sacred and true is extant.” “Ha! It seems your piety has obscured your vision for you now see fallacy for truth. I agree that those stories have great allegorical value, but even a fool would not take parables as legitimate historical accounts.” “The Book cannot be false for He is infallible,” stated the other. “Whether or not your god is infallible is of no import for its prophets are not, nor are they necessarily of a moral fiber that induces the inability to lie. And even if they were not able to lie, how capable would one be to know truth if they were incapable of hiding it.” “Will your blasphemous slander not cease?” the other said insolently, “His Word is His Truth and when one is blessed enough to receive its clarity he would not dare adulterate it in any way.” “Must I resort to proof of its falsehoods before you understand? Must I state that the planet is much older than six thousand years? Must I state that the geological record has no indication of a great flood? Will that even have an effect? Or am I to believe that you really claim unicorns once existed?” Shocked by the revelation of the Book’s absurdity the other quietly uttered, “You are correct; it is simply a book of parables,” his tone changed from that of submission to buoyant defiance, “But does that mean it has no use? Of course not. Does that mean it is not His Word? Undoubtedly, no. Though you may have shown it to be, at best, an inaccurate account, you have failed to fully deny its veracity for even parables contain some truth.” He remained silent, happy with his half victory, patiently contemplating a way to rid his friend of the abhorrent entity known as piety. As their discussion of the Book ended he queried to his pious friend, “As you seem to be quite the theologian, how do you perceive death? What happens when humans die?” “Quite simply, if one followed the Word closely and was truly sorry for his sins then he would ascend to heaven and if not he would suffer eternally.” “I see, but what is this ‘heaven’ of which you speak? Can you describe it?” “Certainly you jest. How can one be so ignorant to not know the reward for a good, pious life?” “It is not that I am unfamiliar with the term, nor am I simply ignorant as you so candidly suggested, I only wish to acquire an understanding of what a devout man perceives it to be.” Intrigued by this comment the other proceeded suspiciously with a description of Paradise, “In the simplest of notions heaven is a plane of existence much like this one, but separated from it, where there is no strife. It is the realm in which He resides and all is well, no one suffers.” “Interesting, but how does one come to be in this place? Does one make the ascension with one’s physical form?” “Certainly not, one’s body does not go to heaven. In death one’s soul is freed from its earthly prison and at the Judgment it makes the journey to Paradise.” “Ah yes, the soul, can you please explicate exactly what that is?” “Indeed I can, it is the essence of one’s existence and without it one would be nothing.” “So it is some type of supernatural entity?” “Yes, extant before one’s body it is entombed within it thus bringing it life and making the person what they are. Without a soul one is not alive.” “Essentially, you are saying that soul, being of Divine origin, creates the body and all the intricacies of one’s mind.” “Yes, finally you understand.” “No, I disagree. The soul is not the creator of the body and neither is your god. The body is constructed solely by physical means, not by the intervention of a greater being, and the body is that which creates the soul for the soul is merely another term for one’s character. Yes, the soul is one’s essence but is that essence not one’s character, one’s personality?” “Yes, of course.” “And is not the creator of one’s personality one’s own cognition which resides solely in the brain, a part of the body?” “Again, yes.” “Therefore, the body is the creator of the soul. Verily, you now see the dilemma. How can an entity created by man, an impure and imperfect being, infiltrate the sanctity of divine recompense? Can it be that it does not exist? Undeniably, this must be true. Hence, there is no salvation, there is no heaven, there is no life eternal,” he said as he looked upon the other surprised that he did not see a look of utter disillusionment. “You say this now but at the end you shall invoke His name in search of solace from the dread of the ultimate end for only through Him may you be at peace in death,” the other said. “Ha! If I were to utter your god’s name in death it would be only to curse it; I have no need to go peacefully for from thereafter there is solely the peace of nothingness. Besides, is it not better to be fearful as one meets the end than to cravenly cower behind false hope?” “Now you mock me. Well, say what you will, heathen, but you shall never cause my faith to waiver.” Seeing the obstinacy piety brought on in the other disgusted him so that he ended the discourse in hopes of devising other arguments with which to free his pious friend before the next time it arose. |