Thus, like a Christian spouting that being a Muslim is akin to sleeping with evil, there are those who take a conservative and dogmatic view of science and will put "up their dukes" when someone who speaks of spirituality or the paranormal begins to express his or her take on life. In essence, some of those espousing a scientific viewpoint lock themselves into a box mirroring the dogmatic and institutionalized religion box. Philosophical arrogance runs deep in our culture. What if we began seeing difference as simply parts of Nature's web?
This lack of unity among Christianity, Mohammadism, Scientism, or any of the myriad ISMs is an overall systems problem occurring in our culture. It's of the same mentality that promulgates the absurd notion of the "battle of the sexes." Where would any of us be if the yin and yang were truly enemies? I personally believe that the idea of enemies is a symptom of our self-righteous arrogance.
But, then I wonder if I'm not being as dogmatic as they by attacking them? Ultimately, my arrogance mirrors that of that the Christian zealot and dogmatic scientist mirror. Thus, all of us are parts taking part in the same dance! We are being particles that fail to see the wave. I call this self-righteous arrogance. It is a deeply embedded tendency in our culture that turns us into antagonists to each other and to all Nature. It doesn't matter if it's science, religion or the author doing it.
The rule of Nature that we are ignoring (at great risk) is that the left hand mirrors the right. Opposites or oppositions are mirror images. Opponents are components of one sport. Thus, male and female are mirrors where the male unfolds down and out while the female enfolds up and in. Of course during intercourse the man become erect or "gets it up" and goes inward. Thus, the opposites become one.
By not realizing the law of opposites as being relational, neither Scientism ideologues nor their religious counterparts sees how their pattern fits into the whole. We are akin to puzzle pieces that refuse to take part in the puzzle. Again, this is because we are locked into the view of our own little box that we have created with our surface level mind. This is akin to trying to describe an entire planetary system while looking at just the moon. Our views are highly limited!
Thus, in looking at the results of physics experiments in the middle of last century, many started equating the findings of science to spiritual teachings (e.g., Peat, 1988). People like Peat, and his protégé, physicist David Bohm, were highly open minded to the relationship of physics to spiritual teachings. So were Einstein and Jung. So are today's parapsychologists like Rupert Sheldrake.
These scientists stand in contrast to those advocates of Scientism who are not open to debate and instead stay stuck in their pre-judicial analysis based on a rigid belief system. In this latter case, the dogmatic science oriented person is one with the person who is dogmatic about his or her religious persuasion. Both of these mindsets are stuck in a sense of "self-righteousness." Thus, the scientific dogmatist is one with the religious.
As the term "righteous" implies, the dogmatist is stuck in being Right. So long as I am "right", you are "wrong"--and if we keep it up, nobody will be left to pick up the pieces and complete the puzzle of life. As the Bible puts it, "judge not least ye be judged!" This speaks to the attitude of the dogmatic Scientist as much as it does the dogmatic Christian. Those of us who would criticize either must be very aware that we are on track to fall into the same hole.
What drives us into this pothole? Is it insecurity? Perhaps! Or is it a need for power or superiority over another? One just has to be right! Being wrong is personal.
What keeps us stuck on this high road to destruction? What are your thoughts on the matter?
References
Peat, David, Synchronicity: The Bridge Between Mind and Matter, Bantam Books, New York, NY 1988
Weiler, Craig, PSI WARS: TED, Wikipedia and the Battle for the Internet
For a deeper account for what I am speaking of in terms of the unity of one's self to Nature, read The Book: On The Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are by Alan Watts. The book is published by Vintage Books
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