IN QUEST OF REALITY
Through Science and Religion
GALILEO (1564-1642) could only peer at the moon’s visible face through his humble telescope. In contemporary times, aided by spacecraft cameras, humanity now glimpses the moon’s hidden side. This basic example underscores the substantial chasm in scientific understanding spanning the past and the present.
However, the price of accessing modern insights is markedly steep. On October 10, 1980, the world witnessed the installation of the most extensive telescope in New Mexico, incurring a staggering cost of $78 million. The American spacecraft Voyager, reaching Saturn in December 1980, commanded a hefty price tag of $340 million. CERN, the European particle physics facility, finalized its construction in 1981, aiming to dissect protons and transmute matter. The financial outlay for this institution amounted to $120 million. Presently, this establishment plans the inception of a grander research apparatus, estimated at $550 million. In the United States, a proton research machine came into being, amounting to $275 million, and so forth.
The mounting fascination of individuals with particle physics manifests in the exponential growth of participation. In the 1927 physics conference, a mere 32 scientists participated, whereas in the 1980 conference, the number soared to 800 participants. The American Physical Society’s membership, which was a mere 1300 in 1920, surged to an astonishing 30,000 members by 1980.
Contemporary research endeavours, predominantly in astronomy and particle physics, incubate results over protracted durations, often spanning 50 years or beyond. Comprehending the depreciation of capital allocated to these non-profit ventures, it is evident that a hundred-dollar investment’s value would dwindle to a single dollar half a century later.
These contemporary pursuits gravitate toward astronomy and particle physics. Their fruits of inquiry manifest tardily, taking about five decades to crystallize. Accounting for the diminishing monetary worth of investments in these explorations (which accrue no interest), the span of fifty years sees a hundred dollars devalue to a solitary dollar. Many express reservations regarding such projects, citing excessive expenditure on what appears to be futile undertakings. Addressing this sentiment, American scholar Roger Penrose articulates:
“Do economists not share with us the thrill that accompanies each piece of understanding? Do they not care to know where we came from, how we are constituted, or why we are here? Do they not have a drive to understand, quite independent of economic gain? Do they not appreciate the beauty in ideas? A civilization that stopped inquiring about other things as well, a lot else might then die besides particle physics.” (Sunday Weekly, Nov. 30, 1980)
This citation unveils the imperative of comprehending the verities of existence. Even those who abstain from dissecting the cosmos through the lens of divinity yearn to unearth bedrocks upon which to ground their understanding and cosmic comprehension. The undeniable fact remains that the presence of beings akin to humans, nestled within both the visible expanse and the uncharted realms of the universe, presents such awe-inspiring marvels that contemplation becomes irresistible. No other pursuits, even substantial material leaps, can supplant this persistent inquiry.
Within the vast expanse of the universe, human beings grapple with their existence within an infinity of galaxies—approximately 200 billion in number. Each galaxy houses an incalculable multitude of colossal stars, and the interstellar distances are so vast that they equate to the expansive seas, with ships isolated from one another. The expanse of stars scattered throughout this immense cosmos is so staggering that uttering their single-word names ceaselessly would demand 300 billion years to exhaust them. (Plain Truth, January 1981)
In this unimaginably vast cosmos, humankind emerges as an infinitesimal entity. Even within the cosmic atlas, human presence appears tinier than those minuscule islands omitted from conventional world maps due to their diminutiveness. Despite this insignificance, humanity is traversing the universe’s distances, spanning from subatomic realms to galactic systems. Possessing a mind capable of glimpsing both past and future, humans are driven to fathom the reason behind these occurrences. These questions loom over contemplative individuals, propelling them towards the truth. Yet, humanity’s dilemma lies in the fact that, apart from revelations received by prophets, telescopic observations and laboratory experiments remain the sole avenues for seeking answers to these queries.
In a universe teeming with worlds that the mere act of naming would consume over three billion years, how can humanity unearth the truth it seeks within the span of its fifty or a hundred years of life? The stark verity emerges that only the Creator possesses the power to unveil this enigma, an illumination conveyed through the conduit of prophets.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) unveiled the theory of space and time, attaining a remarkable fame. Some argue that Einstein’s scientific worth transcended the acclaim he garnered. An elucidation is put forth: Einstein’s inquiries were tethered to the universe’s eternal truths, and one who ventures to peer into these cosmic verities assumes distinct significance in society’s eyes. A visionary described:
“Whoever finds that which enables us to obtain a deeper glimpse into the eternal secrets of nature has been given great grace. That was the grace of Albert Einstein’s unique greatness–to try to find such thoughts.” (The Hindustan Times, March 15, 1981)
The yearning to fathom the universe’s timeless truths is so deeply ingrained in human nature that it defies detachment. Since antiquity, humanity has yearned for these age-old enigmas, which consistently remains out of reach. If one cannot access these truths through personal endeavour, limitations prove insurmountable barriers. An inquiry arises: Why, despite prophets unveiling these timeless secrets throughout history, do humans remain resistant to embracing the prophets’ revelations?
The crux lies in the prophet’s response, replete with the concepts of reward and retribution, Heaven and Hell. The prophet calls for relinquishing self-directed lives and embracing a more constrained existence on earth. This conditionality renders humanity averse to adopting the prophet’s proclamation. They relentlessly seek solutions to uncover nature’s mysteries—responses without constriction. Future contemplation seems undesirable. Nameless spiritual entities’ answers find acceptance by countless individuals, yet the prophets’ revelations are met with dissatisfaction. This arises from the spiritual entities’ responses merely gratifying the spiritual facet, devoid of room for spiritual discipline. Conversely, prophets’ revelations engender relinquishing personal freedom, enveloping individuals in perpetual contemplation of the afterlife.
Success lies in alignment with truth, not evasion from it. If the truth indeed resonates with the prophets’ guidance, seeking an alternative verity proves a futile endeavour. Who can conjure existence from nonexistence?
