COSMIC ORPHAN Are we alone in the Universe?. The Carina Nebula (8000 light years from Earth) from Earth)

COSMIC ORPHAN

Are we alone in the Universe?

The Carina Nebula(8000 light years

from Earth)

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place” (Psalm 8:3)

“In a universe of … blind physical forces … some people are going to get hurt, other people are going to

get lucky, and you won't find any rhyme or reason in it, nor any justice. The universe that we observe has … no design, no

purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but pitiless indifference.”

Richard DawkinsRiver Out of Eden:

A Darwinian View of Life

What is your greatest

moment?

What is your worst moment?

DAWKIN’S UNIVERSE

“ … no design, no purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but pitiless indifference.”

Dr Josef MengelePhysician to the Auschwitz concentration camp

BBC programme “The Gathering”

DAWKIN’S UNIVERSE

“ … no design, no purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but pitiless indifference.”

If there is no right or wrong, all things are

permitted.

Self fulfilment regardless of social cohesion

Totalitarian regimes.

How do we avoid falling into the madhouse?

(The Noble Lie) is one that deceives

us, tricks us, compels us beyond

self-interest, beyond ego, beyond family, nation, [and] race …

But without such lies, we cannot live.

Dr L. R. Rue, PhilosopherThe Noble Lie

For you (God) created my inmost being;you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Your eyes saw my unformed body;all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

(Psalm 139: 13/14/16)

The PunchlineWhat Universe do you want to live in?

A Universe where life is random and meaningless

A Universe where life has a purpose.