"But aren't you making an assumption that there is a God and that he created everything?

"You're right on both accounts." Dub conceded. "But what if, for sake of argument, we decided to proceed under those assumptions?" He stopped to collect his thoughts. "After all, didn't we sort of do that this morning before we left house?"

"Sorry, Dub, you lost me again."

"Well, I told you that I knew about a great fishing hole, right?"

"Right."

"So, did you know for sure that you would catch fish here?"

"No, but I had a pretty good idea that I would."

"So you made an assumption. And I'm betting you're glad you made that assumption." He winked at me as I nodded affirmatively. "But let me ask you this." Dub stopped talking momentarily to adjust tension on his line. "What if you had made assumption that there were no fish and therefore decided not to make trip this morning?" I could see where he was going. "I would have been wrong and..."

"You would have missed something really great wouldn't you."

Suddenly as if on cue tip of my rod dipped violently toward water. I instinctively lifted my rod and gripped line to keep it taut. The fish broke surface exposing his white belly, and flared gills, revealing red intricacy within. Twisting and bucking he cleared water by his own length or more. I struggled to keep tension on line, but Herculean leap toward me had too much power and velocity behind it. The elk hair caddis that had been lodged in his mouth was suddenly free and fish was gone. For a moment only sound I could hear was rapid drumming of my heartbeat in my ears.

Dub continued talking as I inspected my leader. "So why can't we talk about God from assumption that there actually is a God? If we're wrong, no harm done. But, if we are right… Well, we might just find something good."

It was a reasonable proposition. We fished and talked until sun slipped behind western peaks. Exhausted and fulfilled we made our way back to truck. As we drove home I thought of one last question I needed to ask. I found right words as headlights of Dub's truck illuminated his driveway.

"Dub, today while we were talking about God." He looked at me over rim of his glasses. "You said a lot of things that came out of Bible. Right?"

"Yeah, you're right."

"Well, I don't mean to be hard headed or anything, but what would you say to man who is not so sure he believes in Bible?"

Dub smiled and said, "Well, I would say to him, 'You know, I read about this great fishing place up on Big Thompson. Why don't we go check it out?'"

You see my child, she says, with any indirect evidence or subjective indication, agnostic has always been more sympathetic. He is that kind of a guy that is willing to entertain possibility of almost anything as he entertains possibility of mermaids, winged horse, and flying carpets. Thus, even though he is also not too impressed with what theist claims to ‘see’, he is yet very hesitant about ruling anything out of court, that is, to assert that it is impossible for God or gods to exist. He says that one should not judge and make commitment about matters of which one is not really in position to arbitrate.

With this, continues our great grandma, atheist is not very happy. For he still remembers very clearly that once upon a time, it was this very entertainment business (wondering about possibilities of this and of that) that was to lead to that eventual leap of faith toward direction of God and lesser spirits. But agnostic appears to know his facts rather clearly as well. For his reply is that atheist should not be ungrateful. Had there been no one to do entertaining and perform leaping, atheist would still be looking for a job. Besides, he does not understand why atheist would not just wash his hands (since he is already so dead sure that theism is mistaken) and call it day. Do you know what I am saying and see which coin to choose, child?

Why don’t we go for a walk great grandma? Before we do that my boy, says great grandma, let me tell you what great grandpa used to say. It is better, he often said, to believe in existence of anything that may have slightest possibility of making a difference to our lives. His reason was that if it does not exist, nothing would be lost. On other hand, if it turned out to be alive and kicking, so much would have been gained. Do you see point my boy. It is always smarter not to risk losing anything at all.

Author: Peter M.K. Chan http://www.geocities.com hemysteryofmind

======================================== familiar circle of falsehood – PMKC> ========================================