, which was born of a
        singularity with an infinitely small size. Quantum theory
        tells us that this tiny singularity was one where
        everything was possible. Even the question of determinism
        seems largely irrelevant, for indeterminism holds within
        it the capacity for determined events, and determinism
        cannot tell us what is determined. Recent quarrels of
        physicists and philosophers; between determinists and
        indeterminists, subjectivists and objectivists, realists
        and idealists; are less arguments of truth than arguments
        about what is false. It is a certainty that our ideas
        about the cosmos will be constantly superceded; it is
        highly improbable that reality will yield even one of its
        secrets. </font></p>
        <p><font size="4" face="Book Antiqua">The case is strong,
        then, for religious belief or spirituality. Since
        prehistory, deity or transcendence has been the best
        reason for existing at all. It is unfortunate for
        Christianity that it failed so often in its scientific
        and ideological struggles. In ancient societies, the
        study of physics and philosophy was one encouraged by the
        prospect of controlling our environs, but this character
        of control is now largely lost. These disciplines now
        struggle to discover more attractive truths, though the
        ultimate truth may be beyond them. Our interpretations of
        reality, and their record, foster further and further
        advances towards such a truth. It is a lesson of
        progression that any religion or spirituality must learn.
        </font></p>
        <p><font size="4" face="Book Antiqua">A merely reasonable
        analysis of facts such as those here discussed leads to a
        crisis of reason itself. We are, however, disrespectful
        of pointlessness. Humanity has long struggled against the
        apparent meaninglessness of our environs and our
        purposes: our philosophies and our physics are just two
        examples of that. Relegation of our importance in the
        cosmos is difficult stuff to manage, but daring to
        question the universe is a remarkable achievement. It
        should be enough to convince us of the wonder of
        humanity, for it is a wonderful thing to inhabit this
        mysterious, beautiful, endlessly interacting universe. </font></p>
        <p align="left"><a href="academic.htm"><font size="5"
        face="Book Antiqua">Academic Writing index</font></a></p>
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