Delusional

Skimming through emails to delete all the spam, I noticed one email which looked like a spam but had a very familiar sender’s name. Something told me to open it before deleting. I opened it to realize that it was an old pal from my college days. Its been more than four long years since I heard from him last. And it was about one of my favorite topics of discussions “The quest for God”.

The sender of the email, my friend, was a firm Christian believer and used to be a member of student choir group. He is an excellent guitarist and singer…. Very jovial guy.

In the email, referring to a discussion that we had during last few days in college, he wrote “do you remember our discussion on religions as different paths to the same God? These days I am questioning the very existence of God!!.”

I could feel his deep concern about the atrocities caused in the name of religion. My friend said he has started doubting the existence of God since many problems are created in God’s name and he is not reacting (visibly!!!).

I recently read a book “Bhatathiya Chintha” (Indian thought) by Mr. Damodaran. The book very nicely and logically discusses Indian history starting from the pree epic period to the recent past. According to Damodaran in the beginning man did not know anything about God. He roamed in the jungles, ate when hungry, drank when thirsty, and mate out of natural instincts. With his limited knowledge about the world around, man couldn’t explain some of the natural phenomena like lightning, thunder and rain from the sky. He naturally believed in some super natural sitting up in the sky roaring and showering water. And this led to birth of God. He feared that if not obedient the supernatural might punish him with the ultimate weapon of fire (lightning).

Just like Ants live in a society and work together, man also started living together in a society. Initially they went for the hunt together and shared the kill. Growth of the society in size and growing needs led division of labor which eventually led to cast system. Man soon realized we need rules or ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ for controlling the society. And rules are best practiced if it is said to be from the super natural up in the sky. The rules became the foundation of what is now called religion.

Does this logical explanation by Damodaran mean that God is man’s creation? No. Concept of God is fascinatingly illusive that it is as difficult to disprove him as is to prove him. Look around you, how beautiful the world around is. Below the visible layer of beauty there lies a very complex design and meticulous implementation which keeps the whole system running. I find it very difficult to believe that all these simply evolved based on Darwin’s theory.