Since time immemorial, people have inevitably wondered where they came from and where they will go after death, when their bodies are either buried or cremated. Saints and religious scriptures from around the world have made earnest efforts to explain these mysteries, arriving at postulates that, while sincere, cannot be proven beyond doubt in a rational way.
These postulates suggest that there must be a creator, often referred to as God. Perhaps these conclusions stem from the belief that no entity or object can exist without a creator — like the analogy that a pot cannot be made without a potter or a wooden frame without a carpenter. Over time, these postulates have given rise to various derivative beliefs, including the existence of heaven and hell, fate, rebirth, miracles, and so on.
Any Explanation is Better than No Explanation
Certainly, these postulates may be seen as vague, and non-believers (atheists) often question them. However, the counter-argument is that if one disputes a postulate, they must present a convincing alternative. This is where atheists often reach an impasse, ending up as what some might call “stray thinkers.” While saints and religious scriptures offer concepts and ideas, atheists are often left with nothing concrete to propose in their place.
Given this, billions of people who have lived and passed away over centuries, as well as those still living today, tend to believe that any explanation is better than none. Eager to understand the phenomena of life and death, most people accept the postulates of saints and religious scriptures as valid, while atheists remain a small minority.
Not a Subject for Debate
Religious scriptures and saints often go a step further, advising people not to disbelieve and to accept their teachings without question. This approach seems acceptable to those who wish to live in peace and move forward in life, which is essentially a transient experience.
The saints and scriptures assert that God is a concept beyond debate — something that the human brain cannot fully visualize or comprehend. Furthermore, some highly respected saints, who pass away like any other person, are considered incarnations of God and are worshipped as such, with temples and places of worship built in their honor. Does this amount to a distortion of the concept of God by devout followers? Perhaps it would be more appropriate to view these great saints as role models rather than as incarnations of God.
The Limits of Science and Technology
Science and technology have succeeded in refuting some traditional views held over centuries. Discoveries such as artificial intelligence, advancements in medical technology to prolong life, the preservation of bodies, and cloning have challenged old beliefs. However, even these technologies reach their limits. They do not fully explain what we call “nature” or how it comes to be.
What Do the Scriptures Say?
There is no definitive end to this inquiry, as the riddles of life have not been satisfactorily resolved by religious scriptures or saints over thousands of years, and they are unlikely to be solved in the future.
A statement in the Hindu scripture Ashtavakra Gita attempts to clarify, or perhaps further mystify, the issue: “You are that — the Brahman.” It emphasizes the unreality of the external world and the absolute oneness of existence. It asserts that Brahman alone exists and pervades everything from the smallest atom to the entire universe. This Brahman is God, and every human should strive to find this divinity within themselves, ultimately merging the human mind with Brahman, where nothing else remains.
All religious scriptures essentially convey that God exists within every human, and each person should strive to reach this divine state through meditation, adherence to truth, and rejection of lower desires, thus achieving a state of bliss.
Believers and Non-Believers Face the Same Predicament
Regardless of their beliefs, both believers and non-believers focus much of their lives on achieving material gains and affluence in whatever way they can. Neither group seems overly concerned with existential questions while life is going well. When faced with the death of loved ones, they may ponder the meaning of life and death for a few days, but soon they resume their usual pursuits.
However, in old age, the possibility of death becomes more prominent in their minds, and both believers and non-believers begin to reflect on birth and death. Believers tend to comfort themselves with the teachings of religious scriptures and saints, while non-believers may remain confused and uncertain. Ultimately, both believers and non-believers pass away, often helplessly and unwillingly.
So, should we applaud non-believers for their “original thought process,” or should we commend believers for recognizing their limitations and accepting the teachings of scripture without question?
The fact remains that non-believers are also genuine thinkers, even if they are often labeled as stray thinkers. In any case, they should not be despised.
