As the island of knowledge grows, the surface that makes contact with mystery expands. When major theories are overturned, what we thought was certain knowledge gives way, and knowledge touches upon mystery differently. This newly uncovered mystery may be humbling and unsettling, but it is the cost of truth. Creative scientists, philosophers, and poets thrive at this shoreline.
—W. Mark Richardson, “A Skeptic’s Sense of Wonder”
Consider two universes. Universe Omega is a universe in which God does not exist, but the inhabitants of the universe believe God exists. Universe Upsilon is a universe in which God does exist, but no inhabitant believes God exists.
In which universe would you prefer to live? In which universe do you think most people would prefer to live?1
MUSINGS AND SPECULATIONS
When they learned to navigate the polarity barrier between the two universes, they were amazed to discover our life and existence, similar to theirs, in opposite reality, and over time established contact across the barrier and learned to navigate and explore their antimatter counterpart—our phenomenal universe. They also learned to communicate across the barrier and maintained contact with the Earth man by electromagnetic means, which they carried on for over 25 years.
—James W. Deardorff, “The Meier Case and Its Spirituality”2
I surveyed about 50 individuals regarding this question. Universes Omega and Upsilon were chosen by roughly equal numbers of people. Some respondents suggested that if people think God exists, then God is sufficiently “real.” Other individuals suggested that people would behave more humanely to each another in a Universe where people believed in God. Yet others countered that an ethical system dependent on faith in a watchful, omniscient, or vengeful God is fragile and prone to collapse when doubt begins to undermine faith. Following are some comments I received.
Keith D. said, “I would prefer to live in Universe Omega. If the God of Upsilon is omniscient, He will know of the existence of Universe Omega and its believers, and perhaps He would save them.”
Diane R. said, “I choose Upsilon. I’ve had enough of living in Omega already, thank you very much.”
Lorraine M. said, “I vote for Upsilon; if God exists there are many possibilities to discover this existence. The idea of communing with a God that doesn’t exist seems scary.”
Peter A. said, “There have been many ‘gods’ that I wouldn’t want to be in the same room with, so how believers define god is critical. Another important question is: does god provide for life after death?”
Don W. chooses Upsilon because “many wars have been fought over religion, with each side believing that God was on their side. Maybe life would be treated more preciously if death was regarded as final.”
Elizabeth P. said, “I’d far rather live in the universe where people believe in God. I figure they stand a better chance of being better behaved towards their fellow beings. In the universe where nobody believes in a god that actually exists, everybody goes to hell anyway, right?”
Bets L. said, “If the inhabitants of Omega interpret the physical signs available to them as evidence of God, then does it really matter if God exists? These people would follow their belief with the semblance of moral order which would be in harmony with the physical phenomena they observe—thus, their religion would be helping to synchronize them with the natural order and to make their lives better off for their belief. Concerning Upsilon, if God exists but the inhabitants cannot discern that existence, then one would assume that their moral order would be assembled based on what they observe. If what they observe is a manifestation of God’s order in the universe, then it should not matter whether they believe in God or simply observe and adapt to the universe around them. The only aspect of material difference between these two scenarios would be the question of afterlife. Again, this premise would be larger than a question of belief … if what really happens is re-incarnation, then it will happen whether one believes or not. If there is some sort of other-world afterlife that is a function of the existence of God, then the question becomes one of the method God would use for judging worthiness. If God requires in Upsilon the belief in him/her in order to gain entry to the afterlife, then it would be pointless, as no one believes. God would require enough logic and order that he/she would never set up an algorithm in which the answer would be the null set. If God’s algorithm were different (some measure of living a life of peace, love, acceptance, and inclusion), then it wouldn’t matter whether one believed in God so much as whether one were able to assimilate and practice living according to some qualitative measures that would be visible to God, with or without the individual’s belief.”
Martie S. said, “A belief in God is likely to influence the behavior of the inhabitants. Those who believe in a God of the Judeo-Christian tradition—or of most of the Eastern Religion traditions—will most likely pattern their behaviors after what they perceive as ‘the good.’ If the God were one of love and tolerance, then the pattern of behavior in that universe would likely be of love and tolerance. Therefore, it is more likely that the Omega universe would be a more secure and enjoyable place to live.”
April P. said, “A choice of being blissfully unaware or relying on blind faith? I’d prefer Universe Omega, because belief in God is an important motivator for a thinking species. It is an important element of cultural enrichment. Universe Omega would have to contain thinking inhabitants. Universe Upsilon would have to be inhabited by non-sentient life, because belief in god is a byproduct of being able to think. I wouldn’t want to live in a universe whose inhabitants did not think.”
Marsha S. said, “I’d prefer to live in Universe Upsilon where no banners are unfurled and no wars are fought in God’s name. I’m also certain that God would forgive my disbelief. I think most people would choose Universe Omega because they feel a belief in a nonexistent God might guarantee some ‘better’ code of conduct.”
Of course, my limited sample of respondents does not shed light on the overall thinking of America or the world. I urge you to ask colleagues this question. Other more exotic questions come immediately to mind, and I’m sure many of you will think of some. For example, imagine that both Omega and Upsilon exist and are inhabited by numerous intelligent races. What would happen if a wormhole opened between the two universes and allowed the inhabitants to interact and mix? What would be the outcome for the inhabitants? And how might the God of Upsilon respond?
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.
—Albert Einstein, in Max Jammer’s Einstein and Religion
Esse est percipi. (To be is to be perceived.)
—George Berkeley, Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge