The Core of All Relevance

God is "on a roll."

The content of this page centers around understanding reality. It involves the search to know what is the actual chain of events and what can be expected based on the observed pattern of cause and effect. We desire to understand and relate human behaviors to genetics, environment and learning. The more we understand, the better we can plan and this allows us to control and shape our environment.

I've been percolating a subject that was labeled: Are we wired for God and Good? I've seen a number studies over the years that try to measure "theistic effects." Said another way, measuring the difference that religion makes in peoples lives. One showed a connection between brain activity in certain areas during deep religious meditation. Another showed the difference in cure rates for the religious versus the agnostic/skeptical. There are significant differences in health and life expectancy between the two groups even after you discount diet, alcohol, and tobacco effects.

As I watch the behavior of human beings and read the studies, I make the following observations.

• Theists are happier.
• Theists are more optimistic.
• Theists are more charitable.
• Theists are more forgiving.
• Theists are less likely to use the word "hate". I.E "I hate that movie"

I personally believe in the existence of God and that he is the architect of our existence but I will not try to convince you that God exists or does not exist from this page. What I will address is the questions that the above mentioned "theistic effects" force to the surface.

Conversations with atheists often center around the question of proving the existence of God. I feel that question is mostly irrelevant in the big picture. Here's why?
Answer 1) God either exists or doesn't.
Answer 2) A metaphysical spirit or soul either post-exists this life or doesn't.
These two answers are big but may not be key to the big picture, Here's why.

If God exists, God is the lawgiver of the universe. If not, the only lawgiver is the collective properties of space, time, matter, and energy.
If God is the lawgiver and has emplaced a universal standard for measurement of behavior, then there is a right and wrong. If the soul or spirit continues past death, then morality matters, If not, then it doesn't. When it's over, it's over and that's that.

Conversely, if God doesn't exist, then there is no standard for the measurement of behaviors except what we create. If the soul or spirit continues past death, then morality doesn't matter.

Therefore, if God and the Soul exist, then morality and behavior matter in a metaphysical sense.
If both conditions are not met, then morality and behavior don't matter in a metaphysical sense.

If behavior doesn't matter in a metaphysical sense, then our only motivation in this life must be to live as fully as we can for as long as we can. If there is no post-existence, judgment or reward, then what you see is all there is.

So we turn our heads to the science that says:

• Theists generally live longer healthier lives.
• Theists are generally happier and more satisfied with their lives.

Thus whether there is or is not a God, you get the best probability of whatever payoff there is: (long, happy life or eternal reward) by being a theist and living accordingly.

I won't tell you what I believe but I don't believe the existence of God can be scientifically proven in the physical world. If he exists and it can't be proven in the physical world, it's because he wants it that way. If it were possible to prove, there would be no faith and no sacrifice, Obedience would be a bill to be paid rather than an offering.

As a closing remark, there is one question that uncovers the core of all relevance. If you decide to ask one question that goes to the heart of things, it is: "What is the true law of God?" It can be asked many ways. "What is the true church/religion? How do I follow your way?

The answer is the only one that matters. If there's no answer to that question, then there's no meaning to anything. Life becomes passing time until we become cosmic dust.