A Pluralist’s View of Science and Religion

New York Museum of Natural History - Manhattan

The General Relativity of Truth

The universe is a very strange place and getting stranger the more we learn about it.  Many of the greatest minds of our day are working diligently to craft a universal theory of everything encompassing the smallest of the small to the largest of the large.

There have been some astounding breakthroughs in the the fields of quantum cosmology and theoretical nuclear physics that have challenged many of the old views.  To this end, our mathematical geniuses are proving many of our established models of how things work to be, well, wrong!

The complexities being uncovered at Fermilab, CERN, and other research institutions around the globe promise unparalleled advancements in all scientific disciplines.  But for every question answered, many more new ones are left unanswered.

In addition to reexamining or, probably better said, “re-imagining” the universal governing forces of gravity, electromagnetism, the “strong” force and the “weak” force, these down in the trenches scientists are also inadvertently challenging some very fundamental philosophies like free will and the linear nature of existence.  So astounding the implications, the human mind struggles to even grasp its significance.

In evolutionary speak, it is an immutable fact our puny primate brain, that evolved in some unknown patch of jungle, on an insignificant rock, orbiting a teeny pale yellow star, spinning out in some blackened void, in a tiny far flung galaxy, in an unassuming corner of an ever expanding universe, will never be up to the task of EVER understanding the true nature and grandeur of the universe on all its infinite levels... no matter how much time or instruction is given.

If you think more in creationist terms, consider this:  The difference between God’s intellect, as omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent, and our intellect as regular human beings, who can find even an episode of Seinfeld confusing, should be astronomically greater than the difference between our intellect and say the intellect of a typical autotrophic organism like green algae.  Try explaining what we know of the cosmos to that!  What does that say about what God probably got us to understand about what He knows about the universe?

I don’t know about you but it has me thinking that everything we believe we know about the gospel might somehow be a really, really, really, to near infinity really dumbed down version of what actually is going on.  And maybe, “truth” isn’t as exacting and universal as we like to think it is.  Religion must then be considered an allegorical overlay to the incomprehensible universe as seen from a mystical perspective.

By that token, given the very specific and limited environmental conditions under which the human nervous system evolved through which we perceive and experience the universe and the fact all scientific understanding is derived from these same limited senses, it is reasonable to conclude science too is an allegorical overlay to an incomprehensible physical multiverse.

I know that’s a mouthful but consider the platonic allegory of the cave.  By design, we see, feel, smell, taste, and reason from one acutely defined perspective.  We could never hope of experiencing the universe in its proper and complete reference.  Like someone only experiencing shadows on a cave wall, we can never fathom or comprehend the true meaning or context of what we were experiencing.

Now, I know this is an issue of control.  Everyone wants to be right.  There is a lot of comfort in being right.  Atheists seek guidance from science.  The religious seek guidance from philosophy.   Both claim a “higher” truth when in reality, they’re just working different sides of the same street.  Honestly, that’s not a bad situation in be in.  Same problem, different lines of investigation; we should come up with some interesting theories.

It is from the realization that all perspectives are firmly based in the allegorical and not factual that I view life and the universe.  This blog will explore my views using concepts and vocabularies best suited for mystics and theologians only because that is its purpose and focus but I firmly believe spiritual concepts have direct corollaries to scientific ones and vice versa.  To speak to one does not negate the belief in the other.  Both are just a play of conceptual semantics.  It is critically important to remember this when reading my thoughts here.

“The only real wisdom is knowing 

you know nothing.” ~ Socrates  

The Road to Exaltation

Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado

The Freedom to Pursue Gnosis

I hold strong to the belief that free agency is paramount to our pursuit of peace and happiness... not only in this life but forever.  I may sometimes adopt the absolutist’s speak when sharing my beliefs.  I am absolute but only in the limiting confines of my own faith and my own belief.  My thoughts are not intended to correct or challenge your viewpoint.  Their sole purpose is to share my perspective with you so that you may know and understand me.  It is all done in the spirit of mutual respect and a deep seated faith I have in pluralism.

In the context of faith, I define pluralism as a belief all humankind may and, more importantly, should worship how, where, and what they may. I rejoice in this.  May we celebrate our differences, acknowledge our similarities, learn from one another, and compete in good works.  I reject the hope or belief that one faith will someday become ubiquitous among us.

I reject it for one critical reason.  There is no meaningful choice in such a plan.  To be "meaningful," there needs to be far more choices than just those between right and wrong.  Without this choice, there is no reasoning out and no exercise of faith... and without those, there is no learning and no progression.  The Plan of Salvation collapses in on itself and existence becomes meaningless.

I consider it sinful to impede the process of self-discovery required for true spiritual progression by negating the thoughts, opinions, and beliefs of another in favor of our own.  Sharing is not an act of insistence.  The insistence that for me to be right all others who disagree must be wrong is shamefully erroneous in philosophical terms!  To dictate to others what they should or should not believe is an exercise in unrighteous dominion.  And to call another to repentance skirts blasphemy.

I have long hesitated to share my beliefs because of the language of faith I inherited... a language of absolutes is the language of sectarianism and orthodoxy.  It’s something I can not escape.  I have yet to learn to articulate any other way... I may never learn.  My sincerest apologies should I ever offend you or your cherished beliefs.  I know first hand the harm such a thing can inflict.

An Introduction

© "A More Excellent Hope" by Kendall Davenport

The fundamental drive of our existence is to be acknowledged for who and what we are.  It isn’t for acclaim or approval but for the dignity such recognition grants us.  I believe faith plays a critical role in defining who we are... but it's not the only one.

While my faith pulls from a variety of spiritual traditions, my past affiliation and my affinity for some intrinsically Mormon philosophies continue to shape my experiences.  It has only been after the process of resignation that I have found myself revisiting the rich religious heritage I received from my parents... something I had gone to great lengths to distance myself from.

To be truly acknowledged for who we are, we must first be willing to share ourselves with others.  This is not something particularly easy for me.  The purpose of this blog is to allow me the opportunity to explore, formulate, and share my ideas and thoughts regarding faith, life, and living.  This is intended to be an evolving space... the scope of which will eventually expand.  In the meantime, it is intentionally narrow and not intended to be a complete representation of me or my interests.