It Was an Accident ~ A Matter of Maths (Part 2)

Greetings Dear Reader,

One of the things that those who propose the existence of an Intelligent Designer must do is be honest at every turn.  We cannot rely on old data from a time when the authority of our texts was widely accepted.  This history is littered with those who bashed science instead of honestly walking beside scientists and learning from them.  We instead created a fortress mentality and did not give research the respect it deserves.  The enmity shown those who accept intelligent design as a possibility is partly deserved.

As I read the literature that we have produced to support intelligent design and creation it saddens me that in some cases we have produced outright falsehood and sold it to the masses to delude them.  It also causes our detractors to question the credibility of those who produce honest research and thinking on the subject. We need to own our failures and move forward with honesty understanding that we will have to earn the right to be heard. 

This leads me to the second part of my thoughts on maths and evolution.  We need to stop saying that it is mathematically impossible.  Remember that I believe in intelligent design.  I think that the infinite regression required to get to the beginning of things without a prime mover is statistically improbable.  That does not mean I can say it is impossible.  Since we cannot imperially prove that we are correct we must allow for the honest investigation of all possibilities. 

Since all that we have comes down to faith it must be that we allow honest open discussion of every theory.  When we do then we leave those among our detractors with one less weapon against us.  We fulfill our prime directive to love them no matter what.  This is perhaps one of the finest ways to put forth truth that is not measurable or provable.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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It Was an Accident ~ A Matter of Maths (Part 1)

Greetings Dear Reader,

One of my favorite leisure pursuits can be an excellent video game.  Perhaps your use of technology is limited to social media on your phone or you are still busy taking care of your digital pet.  I wonder if we realize just how much computer coding has infiltrated our lives.  Even my toaster has a circuit board now.

I would ask honestly what the probability would be mathematically that that the coding for any great piece of computer technology could design itself.  Recently a story burned across the internet that a Facebook AI experiment had developed its own language and was subsequently shut down.  My Son and I had a very concerned conversation about this.  There are stories out there that support the report and stories that deny it.  I do not know the truth.

What I do know is that the AI was the result of coding done by human designers.  That they gave it the power to create does not eliminate them as the prime cause of the eventual result.  I am not making a moral implication here nor am I weighing in on the future of AI.  I am pondering if the possibility of that code creating its own language without it first being created is probable.

Those who deny that intelligent design has scientific validity as a study will say that “Maybe the code can write itself because it can tap into a deep well of probabilities, from quantum coherence & entanglement up to self-organized criticality and universality”. (Nigel Anthony Reading) 

The first thing I note about this is the teleological nature of the statement.  Second is that it gives purpose to that which is unintelligent.  A single strand of DNA is over a terabyte of data just to map it.  In that the DNA is the entire code to build whatever that DNA is meant to build.

What is the probability that all that code writes itself?  I am not being disrespectful but the “deep well of probability” sounds mystical rather than scientific.  The probability well is dependent on too many approximations to be, well, probable.  It is possible but if we are going to be honest then it is only that in the way that anything is possible. 

When we consider maths we know that there are areas that require explanation and investigation.  Which explanation is simpler scientifically?  Was the code designed or did it write itself?  The next time you watch a movie that involves CGI of any kind look at the number of people it takes to do the computer work.  Ask yourself if that could be done without some kind of intelligence behind it.  I am not asking you to leap to a world dropped into existence by the hand of God.  I am asking you to be honest that intelligent design could be more than religion with science words.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

It Was an Accident ~ A Matter of Honesty

Greetings Dear Reader,

To be able to tell the world about a discovery one must have a reputation for integrity.  Throughout the centuries many who share my faith have abandoned integrity for ease of argument and to maintain control.  In my opinion, when they made these choices they stopped sharing my faith.

As I read the literature on both sides of the discussion I see there is a great deal to bypass that is bluster and insult.  I realize that there is a great deal at stake here.  I understand that there is all of existence under discussion. 

Some naturalists see the scientists who promote intelligent design as lesser and undeserving of common respect in the scientific community.  “The theory of intelligent design is not based upon ignorance or religion but instead upon recent scientific discoveries and upon standard methods of scientific reasoning in which our uniform experience of cause and effect guides our inferences about what happened in the past.” (Stephen C. Meyer)

Earth seen from Saturn

In the same manner as Christ follower need to own the lies they used in the past to manipulate and control what others think, those who oppose intelligent design need to have honesty in reviewing the work of scientists who see the case for intelligent design.  The entire process must be one of integrity and respect among equals.  When either side tries to bully the other they weaken their own position.

As for us “common folk” we must honestly look at both sides.  When I think through these things I ponder all the information.  I consider everything that is said and the way in which it is said.  I have much more respect for Ben Stein in his approach than I do Richard Dawkins. 

The truth is that I must honestly listen to everything that is said.  That does not mean that I put anything at risk.  I am compelled to seek God with all that I am.  He wishes me to use my mind and be honest.  When I encounter the lies I ask why.  When I see insults and rejection I look for the motivation.  Honest science does not need to squelch differing investigation.  Honest belief does not either.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

It Was an Accident ~ A Matter of Purpose

Greetings Dear Reader,

I will not even begin to attempt to answer the question of why we are here.  Even my best theological answers based on years of study still do not ultimately answer the why of it all.  I think I know enough to answer for my own needs but they ultimate why of it eludes me if I am honest. 

Still when those who deny intelligent design in teleological areas speak, they often assume that if there is a designer “x” purpose would be un-served or flawed.  If we do not know the objective of the designer we are in no position to say that the design is flawed.  We cannot honestly critique the design because it does not fit our purpose or thinking.  If I am not the designer then I cannot honestly say, without it being communicated to me by the designer, that I know the purpose.

I think that the assumption that our purpose is the same as the intended purpose of a designer of the universe is arrogant and flawed.  I also think that if we honestly read the literature of those who insist that the initiation of everything is a series of cosmic accidents, we find that they use teleological language to describe the activity of unintelligent actions.

We give a purpose to what has happened no matter what we believe.  Whether it is giving credit to an intentional designer or that “genes emerged and were grabbed by evolution to perform a new task” (Ignacio Mareso) we give intent to actions.  We assume that there is a purpose imposed on actions. 

When faced with choosing whether the amazing cosmos is subject to the intent of an Intelligent Designer or the intent of an evolutionary process the answer seems simple to me.  A Designer with intent is much more reasonable to me than the intent of a process.  The latter leaves too many questions that require faith I do not have.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Second Thoughts – One Small Things, Part Two

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

If you read my last post on this topic about a coffee shop, you may enjoy this moment.  I know that I did.  As I was sitting composing my writing outline for the morning I was seated at a larger table.  I had not gotten out my laptop yet as I was awaiting space at a smaller table.  A group of five mirthful maidens were attempting to fit around a just emptying smaller table.  Another customer with whom I have become acquainted pointed out their need.  I immediately agreed that we should switch.

What resulted was one of those single serving friendships that I so cherish.  I explained that I was a writer and they happened to love my genre.   I was privileged to hear them talk and laugh whilst I hammered away at my newest novel.

It turned out as we chatted that we shared not only a love for good coffee but our faith and a one time the same place of worship.  In this brief connection my spirits were lifted and I got to see women of quality being good to each other.

They invited me to join them but I had words to get onto the page.  I did, however, carry the kindness throughout the day.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

It Was an Accident ~ Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

Recently I was privileged to have a very level headed and intelligent discussion with a friend and colleague about the nature of the universe.  I think about this much more often than I talk about it.  Please remember a few things as your peruse this Dear Reader:  I do believe in intelligent design and an Intelligent Designer.  I do value and validate honest science.  I believe that the two can exist in harmony without contradiction.  I am certain that at times people of faith are dishonest in order to hold onto something that they fear they do not have an answer to or can explain.

Our discussion triggered my desire to update my knowledge and understanding of the newest science concerning our universe.  Parried with that have been several media events that posed the same topics and captured my interest.  Since I wish to be sure that I have a reason for the things I believe I want to understand what others are thinking as well.  As I wrote some weeks earlier I do not think that one can explicitly prove the existence of a Designer without said Designer weighing in on the matter.  He does not because he requires faith.

This is not a copout.  I am not doing to simply say that you have to have faith because we cannot explain something.   That is not honest and complete.  We cannot prove or disprove the existence of God.  My aforementioned friend did not like the word faith because it carries import that he does not like.  In discussions about science we still cannot get away from the term “believe.”   Everything, if we hold true requires a measure of belief. 

We use terms like the “preponderance of evidence” or “the current thinking” to say that we have faith that this or that thing is true.  I understand the need to avoid the word faith but it is still faith.  It is still belief.  I think this is a very seminal understanding that we must embrace when we ponder the existence of the universe.  We believe…something.

I am going to walk through some things that I am considering relative to this set of questions.  I am in awe of the things we are discovering in our cosmos.  I find that it all is beautiful, amazing, and worthy of study.  I also find it confounding that others can look at it and be convinced that it is all an accident.  Shall we journey together on this for a bit Dear Reader?

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Captains Courageous - Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

"Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. It's five year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before." – James T. Kirk – TOS: The Corbomite Maneuver (First use of this)

To deny the impact of Star Trek in all its iterations on my life would be a great lie.  Further it would be wrong to think that I agree with all that the several series put forth as axiom and principle.  Still on the whole the philosophical approach is that we boldly take on the great adventure.

I have always felt that the life of being on a starship would suit me.  I am a vagabond at heart.  I love the idea of seeing all that is out there up close.  I love the idea that we can find what is there and learn from it.  I long to see all of creation and worship the creator.  I realize that some of you think all of this is a series of cosmic coincidences.  I will not argue about that.  I will respect your right to see things as you will.

What I do see in the things we have discovered is wonder and beauty.  I see the need to find a way to be good enough to each other that we can put the resources into getting out there.  We cannot cure all the ills of the world.  We can treat each other with love and kindness. 

I do not think we can create a utopia.  I do think we can do much better than we are.  If I hope speak of Christ and be heard then I must put helping others first.  I must put the needs of others ahead of my wants and wishes.  I must insist that our energies be put toward the greater good.  We must be more civilized if we are to seek out new civilization.

“’Let me help.’ A hundred years or so from now, I believe, a famous novelist will write a classic using that theme. He'll recommend those three words even over I love you." – James T. Kirk – TOS: City on the Edge of Forever

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Captains Courageous - Human Rights

Greetings Dear Reader,

Admiral Dougherty: "Jean-Luc, we're only moving six hundred people!"

Captain Picard: "How many people does it take, Admiral, before it becomes wrong? Hmm? A thousand? Fifty thousand? A million? How many does it take, Admiral?"  -  Jean Luc Picard – TNG: Insurrection

I apologize in advance that this is going to sound harsh.  That is not my heart; to be harsh.  I do, however, need to be clear on this topic.  I am not pointing fingers.  I am confessing truth on behalf of all of us.  I am not hating anyone.  I am hating practices that we tolerate for the sake of our own comfort.

Let us be clear.  We tolerate human rights violations.  We ignore them in third world countries.  We do business with nations who treat women as property.  We are product dependent on nations where freedom is not a way of life.  If you deny that everyone benefits from these situations then you are lying to yourself.

To verify this just ask yourself where your stuff comes from.   I am not on a rant about buying things that are “Made in America”.  That is another discussion.  What I am concerned about is the actual cost of the things we have.  From diamonds to cheap shoes we all know in the dark recesses of our minds that our “stuff” is often produced in part from the suffering of others.  We know it.

We need to ask ourselves how much human suffering we are willing to purchase for the sake of our greed, ego, or comfort.  We need to recognize that we walk over corpses for our things sometimes.  We will protest wearing fur whilst wearing a t-shirt made in a Thai sweatshop by an eight-year-old child.  We will allow women to be treated as things in the Middle East to save a nickel on a gallon of gas.  We allow restaurant workers to be underpaid so the price of our salad won’t go up.

I cannot solve all of the problems that violate human rights.  I can barely scratch the surface.  I can, however, be aware.  I can give my custom to places that respect human rights and conduct business in that way.  I can assure that I treat all humans as precious and valued.  I can sacrifice plenty to raise the station of others.  I can decide that violating one human is enough to disallow.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Captains Courageous - Creativity

Greetings Dear Reader,

"Without freedom of choice, there is no creativity. Without creativity, there is no life." – James T. Kirk – TOS: The Return of the Archons

One of the things I see is a subtle curbing of creativity in the world.  We have all seen the posts about political correctness and protests against this or that social view.  I am not taking a position on any issue.  What I am concerned about is our lack of creativity when it comes working against or for the things that matter to us.

Is seems we have lost the idea that we can do something other than shout epithets and descend into violence.  An example of what I am pondering is a town in Germany that tricked Neo-Nazis into raising money for an anti-extremist charity.  Basically the convinced townspeople to donate money to the charity for the length and number of the march.  If we did this instead of giving attention to the nasty things in our world it would do a great deal of good.

We could also be more creative in solving the social problems that are ever mounting.  There are many ways we could take better care of each other but we instead choose to be selfish and spend our resources on things we do not need.  It should bother us that one of the most secure money-making businesses in our nation is self-storage.  Think about that for a moment. 

Without creativity, we become drab and lifeless.  We lose the vital vibrancy of life.  We were created to be sub-creators.  Tolkien’s essay On Fairy Stories deals with this much better than I could.

Create Dear Reader.  Be sure to create things that make life richer.  Value the creativity and your spirit and use it to make the world a better place.  I know that I need to do this daily.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Captains Courageous - Fear

Greetings Dear Reader,

"You know as well as I do that fear exists for one purpose, to be conquered." – Kathrine Janeway – Voyager: The Thaw

If one discovers what he or she fears and conquers it one can accomplish almost anything.  Fear kills the mind and hinders action.  It debilitates and destroys.

When we look at all the problems in the world they can arguably be traced back to fear.  Despots and tyrants rule through fear.  One may say that there is greed for power and control.  At the heart of both is a fear of something.

It is our fear that keeps us on the ground when we can fly.  It is our fear that holds back from the great adventures.  When we move out of fear we actually fail to move.  I have made my worst choices out of fear.  I have done the most harm I have done in life because I moved out of fear.

We use fear to motivate others to do, to buy, and to join.  Perhaps the reason that we do this is because it gives us control.  It gives us power over others.  From advertising to governing we use fear to work our will on others.

My Grandfather would always tell me that “It is OK to feel afraid.  It is never OK to let the fear be in charge.”  Fear is a foe to conquer.  I must defeat it and assure that it has no purchase in my life.  I can listen to it and hear what it has to say.  I must not allow it wo have sway. 

Following Christ requires that I see the fear for what it is and deny it the power to hinder my journey.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)