Science Trumps Religion

October 31, 2021 (373 words)

In the ongoing debate over whether or not to vaccinate for the COVID-19 virus, I recently heard an interesting take on the subject from the BBC World Service in London, courtesy of my local NPR affiliate that broadcasts this programming in what for us is the middle of the night.

The host was talking with two commentators who each fleshed out a different side of the argument. In Europe, where healthcare is provided by the state, it’s easier to mandate everyone be vaccinated in order to participate in public life. Here in the U.S, of course, we are live-free-or-die enthusiasts who pride ourselves on not being told what to do by any governmental agency.

Then one of the experts mentioned how some people are refusing the vaccine on religious grounds, without going into specifics. This exacerbated the other expert, who said: “we are now 200 years out from the Enlightenment, and you would think everyone knows science trumps religion.”

Hearing this piece of conventional wisdom repeated for the millionth time brought a smile to my face, as it always does. The idea that religion stands in opposition to science is patently false. No matter how a feisty partisan may misconstrue the facts in reaching this errant conclusion.

There is no denying the Enlightenment successfully put “religion” on the intellectual back burner. The hardcore materialist approach was adopted as the preferred societal construct by all who fancied themselves in the know. It’s easy to forget before atheism came into vogue, all the best scientists were devoutly religious. That is to say, they were Catholic.

Skepticism and outright disbelief in objective truth now rules the roost. From egg heads in the ivory tower to common folks on the street. Strange how we’ve all lost sight of a simple fact: The don’t-take-anything-for-granted approach known as the scientific method does a commendable job improving our level of understanding with each passing day, but it can never alter the fundamentals that undergird the material world.

Even if certain earnest souls who carry the banner of “religion” in today’s culture wars do a less-than-stellar job expressing the fullness and beauty of what are essentially immutable, metaphysical truths. Science never trumps religion. Science is religion’s best friend, its staunchest ally.

Robert J. Cavanaugh, Jr
October 31, 2021

Lonely Hearts Club

October 18, 2021 (802 words)

In the dating world of ‘mature singles’ there is something known as the “90-day syndrome.” That’s how long it takes for a new infatuation to run its course, and for the two adults involved to realize that maybe they don’t have that much in common, after all.

After recently experiencing this syndrome first hand, I’ve been forced to regroup a bit, reconnect with the familiar things that feed my soul, and reconsider just how difficult it will be to actually find a new significant other this late in life.

Part of the problem is being a little crotchety and set in my ways, as any older man or woman is prone to be. But the situation is further complicated by how so many of the things I most enjoy are essentially solitary pursuits.

My spare time is best spent out in the yard planting things, and weeding the beds that have already been planted. I also like to putter around the house, mainly organizing and re-arranging, with a little re-decorating thrown in from time to time. I do much the same thing at work, seeing to it the warehouse never gets too cluttered. As a general rule I like to create order and make things look nice. Symmetry facilitates my thought process, which in turn fuels my favorite pastime: writing. And isn’t that the most solitary pursuit of all?

As for other diversions, I have never really found anyone who shares my taste in music or movies, so I have grown accustomed to pursing those interests on my own, and have discovered a deeper connection to whatever I am listening to or watching as a result.

This runs counter to what people always say: “Everything is better with someone to share it with.” I have not necessarily found that to be the case.

But don’t go getting the wrong idea. It’s not as if I am devoid of social graces. I am always solicitous toward children and strangers, and can muster a requisite display of bonhomie around my peers when it’s called for – at least in short bursts. My charming public façade is sincere, but it is on a strict timer. Behind my smile I always end up looking for a polite way to take my leave. Retiring to my own company gives my mind a little breathing room, and lets me mentally wander and explore uncharted territory.

And there is no accounting for that nervous tick I sometimes display around others. I’m prone to giving long drawn-out answers to even simple questions of a personal nature, the ones most people quickly deflect with a pleasant-sounding cliché. When falling victim to this affliction I can inadvertently come across as a bit of a bore in what is otherwise a casual social setting.

For the record, I never set out to be this way, with such a pronounced solitary streak. It’s just sort of hard-wired into my DNA. Even when I was in my prime, which is a few decades ago now, I felt like a Benedictine monk who just happened to be happily married with four wonderful children. That may not speak well of my performance in the role of husband and father, but looking back I think I did okay on both counts.

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So how exactly do I now intend to identify someone who might want to find themselves a place in this picture? And who might care to include me in theirs?

They say opposites attract, but I’m thinking next time a little less opposite might not be a bad thing. Finding someone with an affinity for the arts and the creative process might be a good idea. As long as that person is not annoyingly artsy-fartsy about it.

And finding someone with an affinity for the entrepreneurial spirit might also help. As long as they see business as a calling, as a form of creative expression – much more than merely a means of making money. Entrepreneurs have the unique opportunity to transform the mundane task of earning a living into a vehicle for inner development – their own and that of those around them.

Just as important will be to meet someone who is already ‘not lonely,’ and doesn’t need to be carried away by the infatuation stage, with its constant texting and talking on the phone and trying to get together. Sure, all that stuff is fun, but it’s hard to maintain such a frantic pace.

One would hope a little infatuation will always be part of the process, and by all means should be enjoyed by both parties. But maybe it should not be allowed to take over our lives, and distract us from the things we have come to enjoy the most as individuals. Some of which may very well be solitary pursuits.

Robert J. Cavanaugh, Jr
October 18, 2021

Denouement

October 10, 2021 (34 words)

The physical intimacy we shared led me to believe you were more into me than it turns out you really are. And made me think we had more in common than we actually do.

Robert J. Cavanaugh, Jr
October 10, 2021

Powerless to Effect Change

October 5, 2021 (174 words) There are many forms of physical and emotional distress that can befall us in the course of our lives. Some folks have to cope with more of these challenges than others, often for no apparent reason. It’s the emotional form of distress I wish to comment on this morning. What makes any difficult emotional circumstance even harder to bear is when it’s accompanied by a sense of hopelessness, when one feels powerless to effect a change in the situation. Professionally and personally, my life has been far from smooth sailing from an emotional perspective. But looking back I guess I always felt I could make things better, even if it eventually took longer than I wanted it to. I can’t imagine what it must be like to feel trapped, and forced to put up with a relationship that was just not working out, be it in a professional or a personal setting. My sympathies are with anyone – friend or foe – who feels powerless to effect a positive change in their emotional life. Robert J. Cavanaugh, Jr October 5, 2021

Seven New Laws

September 28, 2021 (87 words)

The headline read: “California Governor Gavin Newsome proposes seven new laws to address homeless.” This is no doubt a well-meaning gesture on the Governor’s part. However, in trying to resolve lingering and/or worsening social problems, it’s unfortunate our elected officials have no other trick up their sleeve beyond adding even more complicated and minutely-detailed laws to the books.

Without knowing the specifics of any of Governor Newsome’s latest ideas, something tells me additional legislation is not really going to solve the lingering and worsening problem of homelessness.

Robert J. Cavanaugh, Jr
September 28, 2021

A Discriminating Eye

September 27, 2021 (210 words) It’s funny how some words can fall out of favor, while others acquire a new luster. Acceptance, tolerance, diversity, and love – especially when grouped together like a slogan, as on a button, perhaps – are words we all want to live by these days. Taken together, they deftly capture the spirit of our age. These four are in stark contrast to a bitter word like discrimination, which is now universally reviled for obvious reasons. To discriminate against someone or something is what any thoughtful, compassionate person wants to avoid like the plague. But in our earnest quest to avoid all forms of discrimination we have lost an appreciation for what it means to be discriminating. To discriminate may be a blot on one’s character, but to be discriminating is a quality we should all try to cultivate. A discriminating eye or ear or pallet is the mark of someone who has learned to perceive and appreciate the beauty inherent in the created world, as well as humanity’s attempts to celebrate that beauty via all sorts of artistic expression. This extends to perceiving and appreciating the special qualities that distinguish each person as a unique creation made in God’s image, endowed with dignity and worthy of being treated with respect. Robert J. Cavanaugh, Jr September 27, 2021