Why are we here? No one really knows

Published: Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 4:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, April 8, 2011 at 3:30 p.m.

Well, I see where hell is up in the air.

No, this is not a column about air pollution. It's about the concept of hell and damnation.

For years, most folks thought they knew what hell was as well as where and when it was going to happen. Jokes were made about it, and bumper stickers were displayed proudly (i.e., "Hell and Duke are four-letter words!)." That kind of thing.

But now theologians aren't quite so sure about what hell means. The Bible says it is a place of everlasting fire and torment, which, when you think about it, is rather extreme punishment.

In today's time, however, hell can be anything under the sun. Some pastors are questioning the old stereotypes and losing their jobs because of it. Will they get unemployment benefits? And from where?

Some people believe that Earth is hell for the rest of the universe. That means everyone living aboard this planet has earned themselves a harsh sentence indeed. Eighty years with no parole.

You know, as crazy as this theory sounds, it does explain a lot of things. Why does injustice triumph over justice so many times? Or a person can take another life in an armed robbery, plea-bargain and walk away scot-free after serving a half-dozen years behind bars? Or millions of dogs and cats are murdered every year in American because all too many people don't give a damn?

That, you see, is what makes the theory so enticing. This life we live is one long sentence in hell. Or is it?

Well, it's just a theory after all. But frankly, even with all our major religions and houses of worship on every corner, none of us actually knows the answers and reasons why we are here, why suffering happens or whether there a hell. We don't know. That is all we know.

Oh, to be sure, we have millions of preachers, rabbis, imams, priests, vicars and other tin-pot soothsayers who say they know. But then, any jerkwater fool can say he knows. Even a columnist.

In the end, however, even with all the charlatans pontificating about believing in this or reading that cup of tea leaves or holy writings ad infinitum ad nauseum, nobody knows the answer about heaven or hell or the meaning of life or death. Nobody. And merely to claim you know the answer means nothing. Absolutely nothing. But some idiot bumpkins will.

But so what? Perhaps we don't know all the answers because for some reason we aren't supposed to know. Beats me.

Let us rather concentrate on all the good things we are allowed to know: the birds chirping and feeding on the food we give them. Doesn't that make you feel good? Yep. What could be better than that?

A good sunrise and sunset is worth a million bucks. The love given and returned by a loved one is unbelievably wonderful and awe-inspiring. We have the good fortune of friends being friends. A rainy, cozy, snug day or a sunny day (whichever you like) is nice. A good deed rewards everyone. While all of these are cliches, they are still the truth.

Last but certainly not least is our being aware of the devotion of our precious, faithful pets. To look into their eyes and witness their pure love, excitement and happiness at seeing us after an absence makes this life, even with all its bad news and wretched mess, worthwhile.

Answers? What is the matter with us?

We seek answers on a constant, daily basis. What is the meaning of this? Of that? What foolishness. The "answers" — the "meanings" — are right slap in front of us if only we have the eyes to see and the ears to hear.

Answers? We are surrounded constantly by beauty and meaning. Miracles abide with us every minute of every hour of every day. All this is knowable!

For Pete's sake, how much more searching for answers to this life do we need when they are right before us?

Dearly beloved, I would have you think deeply on all the answers we already have.


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