THE NEW GOD s
As they began to discuss their personal belief systems, John mentioned that he was a Christian, maintaining that he was certain of God’s existence. His friend Wilton emphatically retorted, “There is no such a being as God. I am convinced atheist.” John calmly replied,” You may not believe in a divine, supernatural being, but you certainly believe in any number of new gods,” Wilton questioned his friend, “Who are these new gods you say that I trust?” John answered by first indicating that there three primary new gods, with some lesser ones, which ancient peoples also worshiped. One or more of these gods might take precedence among individuals at any give time. Modern men have renamed and provided additional capabilities to these deities, while simultaneously claiming that there is no God.
In a fit of frustration, Wilton challenged John, “Tell me who are these gods who you incorrectly claim I accept and worship.” John confidently replied, “The gods of today are the state/ government, science, and humanity. These gods seem to be able to manage all of mankind’s issues, providing economic, health and moral benefits.”
Before Wilton could retort, John continued to identify more clearly his description of the three gods. Firstly, modern man has developed a view of the State / government as an entity that can solve most, if not all, of society’s major concerns, from the distribution of wealth to health care. Government has become the caretaker for all, for everything. Government provides “free money’ during the times of health concerns or economic recession. It dictates health care regulations even when such regulations are overkill or even not necessary for portions or all the public. Yet this new god must be obeyed in all circumstances, regardless of one’s personal beliefs. Of course, all of us willingly accept the “free money,” whether we need it or not. Government is certainly one of the new gods. (Actually, the State / government is not a new god; it is an old god, redressed as a new benevolent one.)
The State / Government has an ally to which it is closely aligned. This ally is science or what may also be properly called political science, since it often is used to further political goals. As a new god, statements and actions which claim to rest on pure science are frequently not called to answer questions related to its claims. Real Science requires intense and thorough investigation of assertions made for any alleged scientific claim. In the 17th century, the French scientist and philosopher Descartes noted that real science begins with doubting and proceeds to question and thoroughly investigate the claims of science. Carl Sagan, a noted 20th century astronomer noted that science is a self – correcting process. It should be noted that all scientific claims made by politicians should be questioned, if not outright rejected. Modern man’s mantra, “Follow the science” often fails when the science is thoroughly questioned, but nonetheless will be enthusiastically embraced when it seems to support man’s ideology.
Humanity is the third of the new gods. It is assumed that the humanity god is all good, eager to contribute to the benefit of all individual humans. History has taught mankind otherwise. Just review the 20th century with the humanity at work in the acts of Hitler, Stalin, Mao, and their many accomplices. Many humans are indeed committed to general goodness, but numerous others are not.
Why are these and other gods, such as freedom, worshiped, though having proven themselves to be very limited and often even evil in their applications?? These gods are accepted, while the real God is ignored or rejected. And Humanity is viewed as intelligent and wise. How unintelligent and unwise humans can be!!