No God? Are You Sure?

Off late, it is had become more common for people to self-declare themselves, as Atheists.  I tend to hear it more often among youngsters. I was curious to understand why this shift in pattern of thought. Is it just a trend? Or is it the excessive reliance in Science and technology? Or is it just the over confidence of in one’s own self? I was clueless.

I made a quick search on google to check some statistics.  I was surprised to find, that about 16% of the world population are Atheists, making them the 3^rd largest population, after Christianity and Islam. What was more alarming to see, was that the number of Atheists are proportionately increasing year after year. It was a bit of puzzle to me, because on one side I am able to witness the religious shrines of all the religions, getting over crowded with devotees, day after day and here on the other side is a contrasting figure of the number of people choosing to be  non- believers.

So what does, Atheism mean. The word “Atheism” itself is differently understood by different people and as such even an Atheist finds it difficult to explain, as to which classification of Atheism, he/she belongs too. For example, there are the agnostics, the antagonist, the secular, the non-religious and also a combination of one or more. The term, “Atheism” originates from the Greek word, “Atheos” which means “without God”. So, to put it simply, Atheist are people who don’t feel the need for God. On the contrary, “Theist” are those who believe that that there is something supreme beyond them to guide them, which they call God.

So “Atheists” and “Theists” are two contrasting sects of people, who have contrasting beliefs. For example:

• To an atheist, an idol is just a piece of rock, but to a theist it is an identity of God.
• To an atheist, it is absurd to think of God in a human form and give it a name, but a theist finds it as the best way to personify God.
• To an atheist, the universe was formed as a result of the big bang, but to a theist it was a creation of God.
• To an atheist, everything that happens in the world has a Science behind it, but to a theist, there is a divine force operating beyond it.

There are so many such contrasting beliefs. In a way, “Atheism” and “Theism” are just two different forms of spiritual enquiry. While the Theist, starts from the presupposition that there is God and finds evidence to substantiate his belief, the Atheist starts from the presupposition that there is no God and finds evidence to prove there is no God.  As it the nature of the human mind, to see only what it believes, both are right from their own experiences.

I have been an atheist myself, at one point of time. I have argued against the existence of God, but when I came to read and hear about some of the greatest thinkers, scientists, mathematicians, social workers such as Einstein, Ramanujan Mahatma Gandhi and many more, I became aware that they were ardent believers of God. All these people were far more intelligent than the common man and they belief in something beyond their intellectual comprehension, made me to think, that I could be wrong. This thought furthermore strengthened, when I became a member of an organisation called JCI, which had it’s first tenant as follows: “Faith in God, gives meaning and purpose to human life.” I pondered on this and could relate it as well.

One of the senior trainer of JCI, Mr. K.V. Ratnam, once quoted, “Science has an answer for all the questions. But man has not learned enough Science to know all the answers. Till then let us believe in God”. This was a new and interesting perspective.

In this context, it is pertinent to note that everyone thinks differently and therefore everyone has the right to choose what they want to be, and just because I am an Theist , I am not against the Atheist. It is just my appeal to Atheist, to periodically revisit our beliefs, from time to time. Because, while there is no hard and fast rule to believe in God, there is nothing we lose by believing in God.

It is purely our choice to be a Theist or an Atheist. What is more important is not to mock anyone’s belief. We should learn to respect this difference and give each other the space and freedom to be themselves, rather than argue and try to prove that we are right.

 

 D. Senthil Kannan,

Managing Trustee, PALMS, Tuticorin.

Author of "Transformational Thoughts" - A Journey of learning 

Email: senthilkannand@gmail.com

Man’s search for Immortality

In one of the whatsapp group in which I am a part of, we were discussing the concept of immortality. So, I was able to realise that everyone has this innate desire to leave a mark in this planet which will be long remembered.

Stephen Covey, states that the purpose of human life is to live, to love, to learn and leave a legacy. By saying, leave a legacy he says that human beings are capable of leaving a strong footprint in this planet, by doing something significant that the future generations will remember them for.

As I ponder, on this I am able to think of a number of ways, by how human beings can make their presence felt in this earth, even after they die.

Eponym: Eponyms are terms, laws, theories or any findings named after a person. For example, Newton’s law, Darwin’s theory, Archimedes Principle are some of the many. So, people by virtue of inventing or finding something, create a name for themselves, which is forever remembered by their name.

Being an Author: Though we may die, our thoughts can continue to live on this earth as words, as long as it is worth being read. For example, Thiruvalluvar who lived over 2000 years back, is still remembered through his Thirukural, which stays relevant even today. Similarly, there are many poets, philosophers, scholars who have etched a mark for themselves by their valuable thoughts in words.

Work of Art, Music and Architecture: Leonard da Vinci is remembered for his paintings. Beethoven continues to live in the memory of people, through his symphony Shahjahan is remembered for his great work on marble - the Taj Mahal. Many Kings and Rulers, engaged in creating masterpieces of architecture, art and music,  to be remembered in the annals of history.

Statue & Memorials: Putting up a Statue or a Memorial in honour of great leader or a noble man is also an way, for that person to be remembered by the future generations.

Naming of Road or Area: It is quite common to see some road names, street names or an area in the name of some political leader, in India. For example, many towns in Tamilnadu have a Annanagar ( in memory of the past Chief Minister of the State). This trend continues.

Founders of a religion or a cult: Founders of religion or some religious cult, have attained the status of immortality through their preachings. Some examples includes:  Jesus Christ, Buddha, Mahavira, Bodhidharma and Sai Baba.

Through Charity: People donate their money or service to educational or social institution, and as a mark of honouring their contribution, a  building or a part of the building is named after them. It is yet another noble way of leaving the name, in the minds of people.

Donating Eyes and Organs: One more people continue to live after they die is  by donating the organs to a needy person. Though this may not exceed for a long time, it still makes an impact in the life of the person who benefitted by it and brings a good name for the person who donated it.

Having and Nurturing Children: One of the simple ways, a man remains immortal is by having and nurturing good children. In India, we have this concept of ancestral worship too, which makes it possible. A parent who has left a good name, fame and fortune for his family will be remembered for atleast 3 generations, which may be a timeline of 200 years.

So, my assumption is that, History doesn’t remember most of the people who lived in this earth for more than 200 years. A very few have lasted in the memory for 2000 years. So, even this concept of immortality has a time frame. But, my thought is that, all those people who are looked up as immortals today, perhaps didn’t have a desire to be an immortal. They just did their work with great passion and as a result of their achievement or contribution, they have attained this stature. So, let us just continue doing our best in whatever we do. Who knows? We may attain this stature of immortality too.

 D. Senthil Kannan,

Managing Trustee, PALMS, Tuticorin.

Author of "Transformational Thoughts" - A Journey of learning 

Email: senthilkannand@gmail.com