Believing The Evidence

[Ellwood]

I had an interesting thought when observing my two grandchildren the other day.   Years ago my wife bought me a large life-sized remote controlled toy tarantula.   This thing is awesome.   National Geographic sells them.   It is hairy and measures about 7 inches at its largest diameter.

Of course, as a grandfather I can't let that sit on the shelf when I have my visiting 3 year old granddaughter and 6 year old grandson!

 

Down through the years I have observed that my grandson is always terrified of the spider.   He has seen me turn it on and off, even replace the batteries.   But when I put that toy on the floor he runs out of the room.

 

Now on the other hand my granddaughter will walk over to it, pick it up and tell her older brother "See!   It is just pretend!".   At which time my grandson will almost get angry that she is trying to convince him it is not something to be frightened by and still runs away.

 

Perhaps there is a parallel to religious beliefs shown by this.   Some people will more easily identify something as pretend and call it for what it is and be able to more quickly adjust their lives to that reality.   Others may even see the clear evidence that something is not real and yet not be able to adjust to that reality and in fact even find a way to process the evidence so that it does not conflict with their current worldview.  They also can get very upset that someone is trying to convince them to understand the evidence differently.

 

Similarly many of us have a hard time letting go of our fears of hell for example.   We may have seen and understood the evidence contrary to its existence but we still have a tendency, even a habit, to "run in fear".

 

So much of the "octane" that drives our ability to believe religious ideas is visible even in childhood.   In addition, the lesson I am learning from my grandchildren, is that some people are more disposed to call BS when they see it like my granddaughter has done.

The other conclusion is that my granddaughter seems to be growing up to be a great freethinker and seeker of truth.   It is my grandson that concerns me!

 

I do understand my grandson however.   I did the same "running in fear" when I was his age when I saw a stuffed bear once.   I knew it was not real but I could not convince myself to stay in its presence and enjoy it for what it was.   I HAD to run.

 

And so it was only 2 years ago, after 56 years of life, that I could properly grasp the evidence against religion and adjust to that reality.   Hopefully I can share my life lesson with my grandson in the years to come and help him adjust his life to the evidence.   My granddaughter will do just fine.

 

Regards,

A Loving granddad