Intellectual Scientific Faith
You believe in something. You have a view of how the world works and the way you function in it. I’m going to outline some of many such beliefs here. Although it isn’t a thorough list, it may help you think about what you believe.
Note that each group in the outline describes a tribe. The members of each usually fall into them without a lot of thought. They often follow in the footsteps of their parents or go along with their crowd. They feel safe in their tribe and are uncomfortable with other ones. Some are involved in campaigns against other tribes to improve their standing in their own.
Whether you believe in the supernatural is the first point on the outline. This separates scientists and intellectuals from the rest. Scientists think that medicine and technology are the best hope for a happy, healthy life. That there is nothing more than the physical world and any idea of anything outside of it is repulsive.
Intellectuals assume that knowledge is the key to maneuvering the challenges of this earth. People that attend universities and read and write sophisticated books, music, and poetry are all part of their tribe. Anything or any person involved with non-worldly trappings are ignorant and unimportant.
If you believe in the supernatural, you fit into one of many groups. Keeping the outline simple, I didn’t list all tribes. If you think I omitted an important one, please let me know.
The first division in the supernatural is between those who trust in deities and superstition. A deity is a supernatural person as opposed to superstition, a supernatural power or influence. It includes things like luck, astrology, curses, etc. A fringe area might be UFOs, conspiracy theories, or their equivalent.
A deity is a person much like yourself, except they have super or unlimited powers. They help you navigate the world by giving favors. Your business can be more profitable, your children more successful, and your mind more peaceful.
Some beliefs involve many such gods. In Hinduism, you worship the god of your community while other towns worship theirs. Their blessings involve the accumulation of wealth, fulfillment of desires, and harmony with the universe. In contrast, the Greek and Roman gods were flawed and self-centered, resembling humans. And their influence was negative if you didn’t pay attention to them.
Those who believe in only one God are in the religious groups of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Jewish individuals hold the belief that they have been chosen and blessed by God through Abraham. They are Abraham’s descendants and, as such, follow God’s laws during this life.
According to Muslims, God revealed Himself to them through multiple prophets, including Noah, Abraham, Jesus, and Muhammad. The most important is Muhammad, who points them to God. Their lives will be judged based on the balance of their good and bad works. That will determine an eternal life in paradise or hell.
Christians trust in a God who is gracious despite their inability to be perfect like Him. Some think that God blesses them on earth. It’s expected that God blesses their prayers resulting in wealth, health, and happiness. While others look to His mercy on judgement day. Their faith insures that God accepts them into His presence in heaven.
Note that there are many sub-tribes besides those listed. There are those who align with a particular sub-group and those who traverse across multiple groups. For example, there are people that have no problem with being an intellectual and yet dip into astrology for an occasional glance at the future. Although the two beliefs are quite different, the person compartmentalizes them and doesn’t worry about their immiscibility.
In a similar manner, I mix science with Christianity. And although I spent most of my life keeping them in separate boxes, I’m now trying to mesh them as the Biochemist Adrift. Many unexpected ideas have emerged which I’ve shared here. It’s my hope that you might weigh in on them and move the discussion forward. If I’m too far adrift, pull me back in.