Author: Sarah Gavoci

I am a citizen of the world, a slave, a psychologist, a daughter, a mother, a wife, a sister, a friend. I have an undergrad psychology degree, a psychiatry master's degree. I am a reading fanatic always have been and a writing enthusiast. So, here's my opportunity to give writing to a wider audience a chance.

INNOCENT or GUILTY?

Religion is commonly defined and seen as the belief and worship of a higher-power. Nevertheless, religion provides so much more than a belief system. Religion teaches the laws of humanity, laws that the international community at large currently abide by. Governments setup constitutions and enforce its citizens to live up to them and punishes and prosecutes those that do not. These laws are derived primarily from religion. Religion doctrines the notion that killing is prohibited, that stealing is sinful, that adultery is forbidden and that lying is immoral. All religions preach that gossiping and backbiting are sinful activities that should not be participated in. All countries will consider an act of divulging its secrets by a member of the government as an act of treason.

Court

Throughout our life we write and choose the rules we want to live by and no matter where we are from or who we are we all abide by some form of norms. Whether, it’s norms and morals of a wider society, norms and values held by the minority we associate ourselves with, or the rules we use to organize our own personal lives. In all education systems there are elements that are permissible and actions thats are not, under employment there are those principles that are acceptable and others that are deemed unprofessional. For every place one associates one’s self with there will always a word of conduct.

So, what is it about religion that people find so disconcerting? Is it that the “laws” of religion are not to our liking? Or is it that they are not of our own concoction? Is it that it is not “manmade”?
In the future I hope to venture into explaining all the elements that people use to argue away the validity and significance of religion.

Till then, some food for the brain: when your child is sick, where do you go? Who’s help do you seek? When you have a distinct question about aerodynamics, quantum electronics or epigenetics? Who’s help do you seek?
S

3, 2, 1 FIRE

NASA
NASA

Our modern world is in a battle with religion. It teaches us that religion is an ancient notion better to be retired as there is no room for it in our sophisticated and scientific world. Some blame the constant outbreak of wars on the existence of religion and the disagreements religious differences cause. But, how can that be possible when all religions preach human understanding. Let’s look closer shall we, Christianity’s Decalogue (the ten commandments) “Thou shalt not kill”, Judaism: the Noahide Laws include “the prohibition of murder”. What about Islam, Allah teaches that if one kills one innocent soul it is as if s/he killed the whole of humanity and if one save one innocent soul it is as if s/he save all of humanity. So, from this we can conclude that three Abrahamic religions preach the same idea.

As for science of religion in large, religion is not the enemy of science. All three religions teach that God created Adam and Eve and from them came the rest of humanity. So, in reality that is the only red herring. The Big Bang theory suggests that universe was a product of a random cataclysmic explosion of a small volume of matter at a high density and temperature.  I am not a scientist so I will not attempt to argue this point in a scientific manner. However, I can say that in a vacuum there is nothing, thus the choice of word vacuum which denies the possibility of an explosion or any type of formation to be created on its own. Therefore, even if  we choose to believe in the Big Bang theory that does not provide an explanation that negates the existence of some high power. Someone or something must of set that explosion into motion.

In conclusion, it is reasonable to view religion as the answer to “Why?” and science as the answer to “How?”.

Till then,
S

Why are we here?

Question Mark

As humans we have this innate attribute of posing questions. As children exploring the world and acquiring language skills we hit a questioning phase. A phase where we try to grasp the essense and discover the reason behind all we see and all we encounter. We test those that surround us by badgering them with the question of “why?”.  Our questioning trait stems from our innate curiosity.

In sync with all that we pass through in life procuring information from that which surrounds us, from beings we cross paths with, from the books we read, from conversations we have, from places we see, etc.  Everything that surrounds us contributes, experiences we undergo, people we meet, shape the people we become, opinions we hold, norms and morals we live by. What’s funny is that in this day and age, originality is an aspiration many aim to attain, but if we were completely honest with ourselves we would notice that as desirable as we see it, it is a quality we all aspire to meet. So, that in it self proves the absurdity of the idea.

Through the span of our lifetime one of the most important questions we ever ask, whether to others or quietly to ourselves, is “how we came to be”? If we haven’t been raised with a strong religous background then we question the existence of God. And even sometimes when we do have that background we might still question whether we have been mislead, whether the belief in a God is as absurd a concept as belief in the validity of Santa Claus, the tooth fairy, the easter bunny…Under such a circumstance we may turn to science as more often than not it provides an explanation that attempts to nullify the existence of a higher power. Or, we might just learn to turn off that pestering question as it is sometimes easier to ignore the notions we don’t understand than face them. With religion comes responsibilty, to one’s self and to the God. It is in human kinds nature to not want to take on the responsibilities of growing up. As children we get bothered by parents/guardians when they lay down the law; calling the shots of when its time to wake up when its bedtime, school is not an option, no you can’t buy that and so on. As children we long for the time when we will be able to make these decisions for ourselves. Then, before we know it, sooner than we know it, we’re all grown up and we get to make all the decisions, but with the ability to make decisions come the responsibilities of providing for ourselves. Now, it’s time for us to long for our childhood, a simpler time when we were carefree, when we didn’t have to worry about all those issues that come with being a grown up. With all the obligations we have, it seems like we ignore those that we just don’t have time for, instead of making the appropriate time. When we grow up without the need to turn to a religious God we might see ourselves as not really needing one.

Life passes so fast, too fast. For most of us, we quickly fall into habit and routine, whether we work and everyday is basically the same one, whether we are a stay at home parent and again everyday is the same. As humans we are habitual beings. When we are rushing to pay the bills, take care of kids, furthering our careers, it becomes exceedingly easier to turn off the question of the existence of a higher power. But, I am here to tell you that there is a reason behind our existence, a very simple reason. There is also an answer to that gnawing question “Does a God exist?” again a simple answer.

So, its time to stop shrugging off the question. It is time to put aside a moment in our lives to find the answer. To my audience which currently consists solely of my husband seeing as I haven’t spoken of this blog to another. I sincerely hope that this will change soon, but even if only one person in a world of 7.2 billion out there hears me, I’ll consider this a success. I ask of you, my readers, to hear me with an open mind and heart. I in turn will be open to answering any questions or speculations I may receive and I promise that I will try to the best of my ability to provide you with the answers you so seek.

till next time,
S