By William Roger Jones
Well, rappers rap and that is what Eric Mun did when he intemperately criticized the Ven. Beopjeong based on secondhand information (see an Aug. 20-21 Korea Times article, ``Is Ven. Beopjeong in hell?" by Jason Lim).
In certain circles, Mun would be considered a novice, naturally subject to such religious muttering and blunders.
God has not told us what his arrangements are for those people of another cultural belief system that guides them well in life. It is recorded that he did say, ``I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them..."
Although I am piqued, I do not take umbrage to Jason Lim's reasoning, yet because of the forwardness of others, I speak. He writes ``truth based on faith" does not align with ``truth based on facts." Indeed, I disagree, though not all together adamantly and he supports me in my right to do so, and I too, him.
``Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." I ask, can you see the fact in this statement? There is much in this world that we cannot see, yet there is clear evidence of its existence. For example, in organic chemistry I cannot see how a particular electron goes to join the atom of another molecule, but I know it must do so to form a viable yield. Bear with me, for I don't intend to persuade on the strength of argument alone. Be not afraid, I bear no weapon or arms.
Jason writes, ``It's impossible to be born from a virgin, walk on water, raise the dead, be reincarnated three days after being killed, and float in the air toward the sky. By any reasonable standards, these are fictional stories. They are patently illogical."
Mr. Lim has missed the whole point. He's correct to say ``reasonable standards and patently illogical.” But surely, he must realize that these things which he states are impossible were meant and calculated to be just that, impossible to believe. Because, were it all to be done (comprehended) by sheer intellectual ability, then much of the world would be at a loss for understanding.
Polarization was purposed, for we have in the world those morally concerned but not intellectually trained and we have those highly articulate but morally insensitive. The aforementioned ``impossible things to believe” cannot be realized until one is finely sensitive in perception or feeling (love).
In other words, God uses sentience until the ``impossible things” can be duly explained. Most scientists are doing their best, however many are ``Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth ... God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty."
I was trained as a biologist. We already have a hint of the 'impossible things' such as cloning, and parthenogenesis even in the Komodo dragon, which count as virgin birth. Water striders (nicknamed Jesus bugs) and the like walking on water due to surface tension. The revitalization of encysted protozoa. Tissue regeneration in planaria, the human liver, and Murphy Roths Large healer mouse. God has shown us bits and pieces of his intelligence, and by extension one can easily imagine ultimate possibilities and probabilities. Much of which once was science fiction, we now find to be true.
An old textbook method is that ``religion is all very well up to a point." Nothing but jargon to many. Clergymen's cant. Keep the populace busy with humanities. Let them read no science, but give them tidbits, that they may have a prideful, general, illusive idea that they know it all. And, of course spin evolution to them and have those of reputation and renowned twist it in such a way that one believes that all things are a result of evolution.
But, be sure not to reveal to them that, that long ago step in evolution beyond man has happened already. That odd process wherein God put a bit of himself into us that we might have a new kind of life as opposed to our old ordinary kind of life. It's a super-biological fact, for it takes a mind that functions through chemistry for that mind to be permeated by new information whether from within or without.
In conclusion, the track record for belief in God looks pretty poor because there is a lot of bloody bath water, but don't throw the baby out with the bath water. Scientists have grave difficulty dealing with the reality of God. Things are not always clean, and clear and easy. Let no one sell you a bill of goods.
For those who are so inclined, ``... avoid profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred ..." Beware of boys' philosophies!
William Roger Jones has taught English in Korea for five years. He presently teaches with the English Program in Korea (EPIK). He has written a novella with his Korean wife, entitled, “Beyond Harvard.” He can be reached at billjones47@hotmail.com.