12.09.08
The extent of Apathy in Singapore
Found this article today, it is a very short article but it is deeply meaningful to me. How many times have I hesitated to do something when a situation arise in front of me that prompts the people around to go into action? When you see someone in need, the first instinct is to go and help the person. But too many times the brain reward/punishment machinery kicks in and starts to think about the consequence of the action to help, whether it will cause embarrassment, whether it is acceptable, etc.
I want to make the same commitment as the author: “The commitment to stop waiting for other’s approval or even support, the commitment to just stand up immediately to do what is right. The commitment to never standby when someone is in need.”
I like the last parting words by the author.
“Because a nation which cannot even offer someone in the rain an umbrella without a committee meeting is a nation which can never help itself or others.”
08.11.08
The Search for God II
I believe that all paths, i.e. religions, at least the religions that had lasted for so long, lead to God, even for atheism. Seems contradictory but it makes sense. So why are people still arguing which religion is better?
The God that I believe in is someone who gives unconditional love to everyone.
He (for lack of a better gender) is always there for you (He is always there to support you in spirit). He is there when you are sad, angry, happy.
He is always around to listen to you (when no-one is around, he is always around).
He will give you a poke when you do something bad (your conscience).
He will be happy for you when you do something good (your heart is joyful).
He always gives advice to help but depends on whether you are willing to listen (your good angel and bad demon on your shoulder).
He helps people who help themselves (He provides the silver lining in the cloud).
He doesn’t need you to proclaim your love for him. He will still always love you. Unconditional love does not need reciprocation.
He does not need sheep to follow him blindly, he wants you to talk to him, question him, he does not have all the answers but he has the time to explore them with you.
He wants you to be his equal, to be able to give unconditional love to others, to maintain the curious innocence of a child, and yet be mature enough to be like him.
The Search for God I
I considered myself a freethinker, not that I don’t believe in God, but maybe in a different sense.
Until there is evidence describing otherwise, I don’t think life arise out of nothing, out of randomness. As far as I know about biology, scientists do not know how to start life in the labs. It always require the cell, the bare minimum for life to exist. Where does the cell comes from? Biochemical reactions in the cells are catalysed by enzymes. What could have cause simple organic chemicals to form into complex chemicals? Something must have provided the push which upsets the existing balance, leading to the formation of life, a propagating series of biochemical reactions that go on and on.
One can call this entity the Life Force, or God, or whatever, but I think that the origin of life originates from an initial spark from some entity which may or may not be part of this universe. I am talking about life in general. I don’t think humans are unique in this sense. We, including all life, received this initial spark from some entity and we have been propagating it all our lives, generations.
