Out There - In Here

In the last few years there seems to have been a very strong public push by a number of writers to eliminate the belief in God. Several major works have been published and have had fairly wide success on the book selling lists. The arguments continue that faith in the supernatural is irrational, illogical, and dangerous. The author point out that there is no objective proof for the existence of God and that such claims for a wise and loving God run contrary to the facts of history: the suffering of humanity, the violence of nature, and the evil in the world. In fact, the evidence is strong that religious convictions have caused as much or more harm than they have done good.

These books seem to have a great deal of success in the market place as there is a perception that society is become more scientific, more technologically advanced, more educated, and more rational. It is believed by many that the belief in the supernatural is waning.

So it is interesting to me that when one looks at the novels that are popular, when one looks at the movies, when one the T.V. dramas there seems to be one theme that is sure to be a success. It is the theme of the supernatural. Vampires, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and a host of other popular expressions reassert the presence of mystery and mysterious powers into life. It is also true that people still say that they may not be religious but they see themselves as "spiritual (whatever that means).

What is supposed to be ruled out by education and science: the presence of the supernatural; is reintroduced by the popular media and the fascination with the possibility of the mystery and mysterious powers. We may want to be rational people but there remains a very active part of us that wants some power greater than our own intelligence to be able to help us.