Moses lived, . . . there is some dispute about the dates but from about 1590 BC; Buddha from about the sixth century BC when the basis of Hinduism seems to have begun, to Jesus from about the beginning of the first century and Muhammad from 641 AD. Together they represent the largest legions of followers of religion but among whom there are differences and between them wars have been propagated. For example, the attacks of 9/11/2001 were the result of religious differences. About 78% of the world follow some type of religious practice. Science has appeared and it represents the biggest challenge to religion. So far there is no reconciliation either between the religions or within them that answers science.


Into those situations governments has found itself. Jerusalem is a particularly precise place where there are major clashes, seemingly everyday even though people of different religions live there is some kind of co-existence. Here in America the “Ground Zero Mosque” was proposed. the “hot war” in Syria has both religious and secular or non-religious elements. On the secular side Presidents Trump and Putin are involved. So are popes, priests, prophets, Imans, Rabbi’s and a great number of religious experts of varying degrees. What do prophets say about that?

Unfair question say some. It’s about oil or money, not religion say others. America stepped back from religion upon it’s founding with an attempt to keep religion and government separated. The reports about the success of that are very, very mixed as flash points are constantly appearing in places like, …well, all over. What is the answer?

The broadest comment is: what’s the question? That leads to the foundational elements of all religions.

What is religion? Most answers point to the existence of the supernatural and that leads to the questions about the beginnings of the earth as well as the beginnings of everything, about which many religions but not all, have something to say. The earth is 4,543 million years old. Subtract 1500 BC from that to find how long the earth found itself without religion. It’s been about 14 billion years from the Big Bang when the universe was so concentrated it exploded. The redshifts of supernovae indicate the expansion of the universe is accelerating, an observation attributed to dark energy’s existence which seems to bring the Clinton’s into the picture.

What about morality? Most religious people use religion to justify morality which is a set of rules to guide behavior. Religions have o lot to say about morality but there is no philosophical agreement on the moral basis of the various religions or even about religion itself.

Three questions: where an I? How do I know it? What should I do? Religions offer various answers. So does science.
Where are we? Science says: in a knowable universe.
How do I know it? By studying the evidence.

What should I do?

The American Constitution offers “The Pursuit of Happiness” but a lot of people find happiness outside of America. Within America many are delighted even though this last election is causing political unhappiness and just as the religious people don’t agree, neither do the politicians, many of whom insist on following their religion while trying to impose rules, laws and regulations on America. Some of those rules spill over into the rest of the world. Syria, North Korea and Israel pit the followers of the various religions with no answer to What should I do? America seems to have the best answer: pursue happiness. If this is unsatisfying to you you need to find your own set of answers, . . . just keep me and America out of your dilemma. You can go to the Vatican, to Jerusalem, to Mecca, to India to MIT or UCLA for answers. You can go to a bar or a pot shop and for many those are about as good as they can do, just follow the law and the best place for that is in America. If you aren’t here, there are an amazing number of wonderful and satisfying places, ex president Obama went to the South Sea Island that was favored by Marlon Brando. The island of Santorini is a personal favorite, as is South Africa if it were free of politics which it isn’t, the Mediterranean if you can forget the politics or get to a place private and safe enough, Europe in general and Paris….well the politics all over Europe just caused the CIA to issue an unsafe alert for Americans in Europe so it’s back to this land of Jefferson who wrote the Declaration to include the pursuit of happiness as a fundamental right.

The Right to the Pursuit of Happiness means your right to live for yourself, to choose what constitutes your own private, personal, individual happiness and to work for its achievement. It means the collective cannot decide. It is a secular idea.

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