Our God — Page 13
Introduction 13 on how the question is put before us. If it is presented to us in such a way that it makes little difference to us whether we believe in God or not, then it would merely be a hypothetical question, and everyone, with the exception of those who are interested in such hypothesis would be justified in refusing to go into this research. People would of course want to concentrate upon matters which directly benefit or harm them. For example, if someone were to claim that he had discovered a new star billions of light years from the earth and which did not have the slightest effect on our solar system or on our planet—we would expect none but astronomers to be interested in it. But if someone were to claim that he has discovered a new drug which could rejuvenate the human body, remarkably prolong life to an average of 150-200 years, and delay the effects of old age, and if the man who makes such a claim is no charlatan, then the whole world would be captivated by the idea. Were such a claim to be true it could affect every man’s life significantly. When we return to the question of God, we find that there are three sources which put the question before us: 1) Human Nature, 2) Reason, 3) Religion. I shall first of all take up human nature. Everyone who has a mind prone to analysis and whose true nature is not covered by veils of darkness and ignorance, does occasionally feel in his heart of hearts that there is likely to be a God who has created him and who governs this universe. Likewise, if we did not come into this universe by ourselves and if there is someone who has created us, then would there not be a purpose in the mind of the Creator? Though I do not imply that human nature also provides answers to these questions, what is certain is that it does bring them up