Reflecting

Whenever we think know something good learning practice requires us to reflect on what we believe we know. We are to seek and ponder new angles and adjust our understanding where necessary. Each new understanding challenges us to compare it with alternative views.

True learning only proceeds in this dialectic fashion. If we never challenge our understandings and beliefs we do not grow as intelligent, thoughtful, caring people. We do not want to become stunted where our understanding of the world around us and of our fellow beings remains as it was when we were infants. That comprehension was useful at that stage of our lives, but usually ill serves us in adulthood.

In his hilarious novel The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams declares that “The answer to life, the universe and everything” is 42. Ever since geeks have sought to prove the verity of Adams’ arbitrary number is indeed the full explanation of everything. Hunt for some of these on the internet, but do not waste time on them beyond a chuckle not as satisfying as Adams’ original. Life is not that simple, but is far more glorious.

We should never be satisfied with a limited and limiting grasp of what is an exciting, beautiful, complex universe. If that is what we are seeking and believe is “out there” we are missing out on the wonders of life.

I hope there will appear here a few simple but challenging ideas to help visitors to re-examine, enlarge and enhance their current understanding of some of their knowledge and beliefs. It will become obvious that many of the challenges here are for those who call themselves Christians. Nothing here is intended to crush their beliefs, but rather to encourage a continued growth of understanding of what that label means. These questions have exercised people for millennia.