Poetry – Reality – Are we real or is the universe meaningless?

Posted on by Opher

I like to play around with philosophy. It’s all a dream. We are the stuff of stars.

The way physics is going these days it is impossible to understand which is the stranger – life, dreams or reality?

I’ll take my chance with science. You can verify it. The maths doesn’t lie.

The incredible odds against you being born is enormous. The chances of us surviving are slim.

Life is wonderful. The universe is spectacular. Atoms are pretty good too.

Reality is no more than a partial understanding of things that are not as they appear. If only I had a few more senses I might understand it a bit more.

No – it’s definitely a dream.

REALITY

One and one can be three

As an inch contains infinity

Time unfurls but

What will tomorrow be

When you can’t tell dreams from reality?

 

Life could have a purpose

Or the universe could be chance

I was formed from a big bang

Of love in a cosmic dance

 

We’re all made of star dust

Drifting through space

But our dreams

Are made of ideas

Drawn through the curtains

Behind my face

 

The stars and space

Just a passing eddy in the fabric of time

No significance

No stability

No substance left to rhyme

 

All of history

And every single breath

Of no more importance

That an amoeba’s death

 

I’m not sure what makes sense

And Jesus can’t explain it

I live within a Milky Way

Sprayed through some cosmic wit

 

Someday soon I’ll die

Will the universe still exist?

Does it fall if no-ones there

When a tree topples in the forest?

 

Opher 23.2.97

Poem – Pointless Singularity – A poem about purpose in the face of a meaningless universe – love.

Posted on by Opher

I wrote this poem in response to the questions from religious friends. Religion gave them purpose. They cannot live with the knowledge that the universe happened by chance and our lives have no ultimate purpose.

I can.

The meaning and purpose in life comes from what we believe in and fight for. I believe in creativity, love, justice, freedom and equality. My morality is based on those things too. I do not need religion to give me purpose or morality. Mine morality is clearer because it is rational and has reason. It makes sense because it is for the greatest good. I respect all life, people, the planet and myself. I do not require a god to furnish me with instructions.

My purpose is to create love, happiness and make the world better. My art, writing, travel, wonder, reading, love, enjoyment, awe, social work and politics give me fulfilment. I do not need eternity nor heaven.

This poem is about love.

POINTLESS SINGULARITY

Pointlessly crawling and scrabbling up the beach

To question the wind and stars

In a universe that is beyond the scope of sighs.

 

Meaninglessly scribbling and cajoling through the ideas

To challenge the sense of nothing

In a dream that is full of where’s and why’s.

 

Using the sky as my signpost

The countryside as an endless poem

I tend the fires of desire

Recording the lies of the facts I’m knowing

If you pass me in the meadow

Strangely smiling as the cows chew cud

Stop and exchange a pleasant thought

In awareness that we share the same blood

Though meaning may escape us

And the idea of destiny is quite absurd

We’ll know more than teeming masses

Of the transient human herd

And the love we share will provide the purpose

 

Opher 16.1.96

I am a writer.

Posted on by Opher

I am a writer. I do not write for mainstream markets, target my books or restrict them in any way. Whatever my mind is involved with or I am inspired by, is given full vent. I do not hold back.

My books are as varied as my thoughts.

I do not write in one style or one genre.

I write.

It is passion that drives my words forward, intelligence that hones them and a desire to communicate that is behind all I do. I love writing.

If you have read my blog you know who I am. There is nothing hidden. I have no writing persona. If you like what I write, the ideas, thoughts, dreams, fantasies, fears and nightmares, then you know everything about me.

If you like what you read you may like to read more. My books are my babies. I cherish them. I love telling stories, using my imagination and crafting my words.

You will not find ordinary books in my lists. I am quirky, different and individual.

There ain’t nobody like me!

Try one and see!

My Sci-fi is under the Pseudonym Ron Forsythe

In the UK.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Ron+Forsythe&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

In the USA:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Ron+Forsythe&i=stripbooks-intl-ship&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=opher+Goodwin&i=stripbooks-intl-ship&ref=nb_sb_noss

Poetry – nOTHING hAS nO mEANING – a poem that says we should live in the moment – There is nothing after.

Posted on by Opher

I wrote this back in 1997. The idea of living for eternity in some sort of paradise or hell seemed rather bizarre. After the first zillion years anything would get boring; even heaven would be hell; we’d probably be begging for oblivion.

I want to live —- but I’m certain I don’t want to live forever. It’s bad enough with a rainy week.

It idea of paradise (with virgins thrown in) is a distinctly human concept. When you think it through it is quite appalling.

We all want to live forever in theory; we’d love to meet up with loved-ones and friends, but the reality is a different kettle of fish.

We’d all like the idea of divine justice and that all those callous bastards of ISIS get their come-uppance. But in reality that is not going to happen anywhere but here.

We have the moment we live in. We should cherish it. It has to be enough.

There is no meaning to be found in the universe. Even that will peter out into darkness eventually. But do not despair. We can live now. That is what is important. Enjoy it while you can.

nOTHING hAS nO mEANING

You can flee a country

Across the sea

With time

Escape the world;

Perhaps the galaxy.

But no matter

How far

You pierce the sky

Eventually

The universe will

Wither and die.

 

You can’t escape everything

We’ve all been, done

Or seen

Given the inevitability

What can any of it

Mean?

 

The sun will die –

The great attractor

Suck us in.

Planets collide

And all life end.

How can you win?

 

Life being but an instant

Fashioned from some cosmic clock

It’s just the way that we live it –

The way we think through the plot.

No matter what you do there’s

Just one chance to get it right.

Face up to living with

No room left for flight.

 

You can’t escape everything

We’ve all been, done

Or seen

Given the inevitability

What can any of it

Mean?

 

You can believe God’s visions.

You can dream of past lives,

Reunions in Heaven,

Or Paradise with ten million wives.

You can recite a trillion fairy tales

Because we all ache to live.

But if you think it through for ever

Religion’s got nothing much to give.

 

A mystical dream of oneness

In which we all play a part

Your Karma guides you through it

Stored as goodness in your heart.

God watches over you

Recording every sin

Making heavy judgements

About what you’re busy doing.

 

Heaven’s getting crowded

And Hell is even worse.

The first zillion years

Seem to go the slowest.

Eternity in the sweetness;

Living in the light,

Seems to have no purpose,

Future or delight.

 

Believing in God

Doesn’t take you anywhere.

Of course, it’s not intellectual;

 Some fancy thoroughfare.

The mystical divine

Isn’t something to be scoffed.

So put your life on hold

And get those caps all doffed.

 

You can’t escape everything

We’ve all been, done

Or seen

Given the inevitability

What can any of it

Mean?

 

Opher   25.10.97

Humanism – I am a Humanist – This is what it means:

Posted on by Opher

IMG_2123

I am a caring, positive human being who believes that religions are created by people and not handed down from some god who is concerned with our fate or has a purpose for us.

I believe religion is used as a means of gaining power (and wealth) by leaders and nations.

I believe that religion has been a source and focus for violence, oppression and intolerance and still is.

I believe people can create clear moral ethics and laws, a purpose for their existence and structure for society without requiring religion.

I took the following from the British Humanist Party. It’s something I agree with:

  • trusts to the scientific method when it comes to understanding how the universe works and rejects the idea of the supernatural (and is therefore an atheist or agnostic)
  • makes their ethical decisions based on reason, empathy, and a concern for human beings and other sentient animals
  • believes that, in the absence of an afterlife and any discernible purpose to the universe, human beings can act to give their own lives meaning by seeking happiness in this life and helping others to do the same.

https://humanism.org.uk/humanism/

Prose, Cons and Poetry – my new book of poems and procrastinations is now available on Kindle for £1.99! Why not grab a copy!

Posted on by Opher

My latest book – Prose, Cons and Poetry – has just been released. The kindle edition is available on Amazon.

Why not treat yourself and find out what is happening in my mind?

If you are interested in any of my other books – novels, Rock Music, Sixties, Sci Fi,

Environment, Education, Antitheism – there’s a whole wealth of styles and genres, something to upset everyone – you might like to check out my books on:

Why not give one or two a try! They’ll change your life.

Burnt at the stake for speaking the truth! – That’s religious fanaticism for you!

Posted on by Opher

giordbreast giordanogiordano_bruno600px

Giordano Bruno was a genius.  He lived in the late sixteenth century. He was a follower of Nicolaus Copernicus .

Giordano stated three things:

a. That Jesus was not divine

b. The sun was the centre of the solar system

c. The universe was infinite and had an infinite number of habitable planets

The Christian Church (loving, kind and nurturing) took exception to his words. They pinioned his tongue so that he could no longer speak the heresy and burnt him at the stake.

This is what ISIS are doing right now. This is what religious fanatics and fundamentalists do when they have power.

Fortunately we had an Enlightenment in Europe and fought for the right of Free Speech. We no longer get burnt to death in agony for heresy.

 

A conversation about god between an Antitheist and a Christian.

Posted on by Opher

 

‘Without God there is no meaning or purpose to life!’god_thirty_two_feet_per_second_737055

‘I think that’s the problem Brian. The human mind is put together in a way that it looks for the answers to problems, it seeks solutions. That’s what’s made us so successful. We look for answers. We’re very good at it. That’s where all our science and technology came from.’

‘This world was created. Man was created. God created that mind you speak of, for us to use.’

‘Nope. Logic breakdown here, Brian. In primitive times our mind evolved to solve problems – predators, hunting, farming, tools. There’s no end to what we do. Our mind put us apart and gave us an advantage. The problem is that it is hotwired to solve problems. When the problem is a technical problem it is fine – we can fathom out a solution. It’s when we come up on the big things that we have a problem.’

‘God created the big things as well as the little.’

‘In primitive times man looked at the sky, the stars, sun, moon, seasons and weather and tried to understand them. There was no logic or science that he could apply so he invented a supernatural explanation. We like things to be tidy.’

‘If you don’t believe in God your life has no purpose. If God does not exist the whole universe has no purpose.’

‘Yep.’

‘But that does not make sense. How can you believe that?’

‘Well making up something unknowable to explain the unknowable doesn’t solve anything.’

‘God can be experienced.’

‘In that case it’s different. But I’ve never experienced god. Until I do I remain unconvinced.’

‘But you do experience God. You have a wondrous mind. You live in a wondrous universe. Surely you can’t believe that has happened by chance. God created it all. God created you in his image.’

‘Nope. I believe it was by chance. There is no logic in religious belief that explains any purpose. It merely puts a supernatural unfathomable layer in place. It does nothing for me.’

‘So how do you explain your mind, life, the incredible cosmic pattern and order of the universe? The incredible organisation of atoms and energy?’

‘Awesome. Majestic. Mystical. And all out of the wonders of the basic laws of physics and time. The universe is awesome. But it does not presuppose the existence of god. They are the incredible laws of nature we see at work in an infinite universe. Spectacular – but designed? No. I think not.’

‘God guides you through this wonderful world.’

‘Take the human body Brian. Did god design that?’

‘Of course.’

‘Well he didn’t make a very good job of it did he?’

‘You telling me that Naomi Campbell can be improved on?’

‘I certainly could be,’ I mused with my mind drifting to Naomi’s physique. ‘But that’s not the point. The human body is fundamentally flawed. There’s our backbone for instance. It’s not designed for walking upright. Who in their right mind would put the reproductive system and excretory system opening at the same place. Unless they had a wicked sense of humour that is. And I don’t suppose god is allowed to be wicked is he? And then there’s the respiratory tract opening into the digestive tract so you drown in your own vomit. Your brain stuck out on a breakable neck. I could go on and on. It’s not good design. If I can think of ways of improving it then surely god could have done it better? No. The reason it’s the way it is comes down to the way it has evolved and not how it was designed.’

‘God has a reason for everything he does. We can’t be expected to understand.’

‘We have evolved to come up with solutions. The solution we found for the universe and us is god. Look around at the mess the world’s in. Do you see signs of an intelligent force at work here? Guiding us forward?’

‘God is guiding people. He is there if you turn to him. The world is in a mess because so many choose not to turn to him.’

‘Well I don’t use god as a prop and I’m a positive force. I work towards making the world better without promise of a future after-life or rewards. I do it because I see it as logical. A world built of trust and love is a damn sight better than one based on hatred. I do it because it is human nature to help.’

‘God guides you without you even knowing. And it is human nature to be cruel and evil.’

‘Well shame he doesn’t sort out some of the evil bastards while he’s at it. And I believe that good and evil are human creations. They come out of our hearts. We can make the world better – ourselves! Not through some divine intervention. We create evil. It is in us. We can overcome it. Forget the mumbo jumbo. Let’s set about putting things right ourselves. That’s what we’re good at!’

 

Christopher Hitchins quotes.

Posted on by Opher
Christopher Hitchins – an intelligent man who spoke his mind on many subjects and was prepared to stand up and say what he believed. We need a lot more like him.
I miss the man – intelligence, humour and blunt talking – not always predictable.
tom paine
Here’s a few quotes I liked:
“If you gave [Jerry] Falwell an enema he could be buried in a matchbox.”
“The governor of Texas, who, when asked if the Bible should also be taught in Spanish, replied that ‘if English was good enough for Jesus, then it’s good enough for me.”
“What is it you most dislike? Stupidity, especially in its nastiest forms of racism and superstition.”
“The Bible may, indeed does, contain a warrant for trafficking in humans, for ethnic cleansing, for slavery, for bride-price, and for indiscriminate massacre, but we are not bound by any of it because it was put together by crude, uncultured human mammals.”
“We keep on being told that religion, whatever its imperfections, at least instills morality. On every side, there is conclusive evidence that the contrary is the case and that faith causes people to be more mean, more selfish, and perhaps above all, more stupid.”
― Christopher Hitchens
“Many religions now come before us with ingratiating smirks and outspread hands, like an unctuous merchant in a bazaar. They offer consolation and solidarity and uplift, competing as they do in a marketplace. But we have a right to remember how barbarically they behaved when they were strong and were making an offer that people could not refuse.”
What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.

Christopher Hitchens
“One must state it plainly. Religion comes from the period of human prehistory where nobody—not even the mighty Democritus who concluded that all matter was made from atoms—had the smallest idea what was going on. It comes from the bawling and fearful infancy of our species, and is a babyish attempt to meet our inescapable demand for knowledge (as well as for comfort, reassurance and other infantile needs). Today the least educated of my children knows much more about the natural order than any of the founders of religion, and one would like to think—though the connection is not a fully demonstrable one—that this is why they seem so uninterested in sending fellow humans to hell.”
“Thus, though I dislike to differ with such a great man, Voltaire was simply ludicrous when he said that if god did not exist it would be necessary to invent him. The human invention of god is the problem to begin with.”
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/christopher_hitchens.html#lOZIShFlo29gMbkl.99
I learned that very often the most intolerant and narrow-minded people are the ones who congratulate themselves on their tolerance and open-mindedness.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/christopher_hitchens.html#lOZIShFlo29gMbkl.99
The Koran shows every sign of being thrown together by human beings, as do all the other holy books.

Christopher Hitchens

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/christopher_hitchens_3.html#LuTiuk9KfjUQ2lGu.99

The cause of my life has been to oppose superstition. It’s a battle you can’t hope to win – it’s a battle that’s going to go on forever. It’s part of the human condition.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/christopher_hitchens_3.html#LuTiuk9KfjUQ2lGu.99
The violence in the Bible is appalling.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/christopher_hitchens_3.html#LuTiuk9KfjUQ2lGu.99
If you look at any Muslim society and you make a scale of how developed they are, and how successful the economy is, it’s a straight line. It depends on how much they emancipate their women.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/christopher_hitchens_4.html#lSok3FwGu6p6rhlW.99

Understanding the universe – a very short story.

Posted on by Opher

A_Colorful_Cartoon_Man_Sitting_In_the_Bathroom_Royalty_Free_Clipart_Picture_100805-171486-069053Understanding the universe

A little colony of bacteria lives in the toilet bowl. Their lives are short. All they require is moisture and nutrient. They prosper and multiply for the conditions are ideal.

These microscopic creatures have consciousness and though they measure their lives in mere minutes they discuss the wonders around them and attempt to understand the world in which they dwell. They have their theories on the creation of their world, they have their philosophy of how to live and prosper. They believe they have an understanding of their environment.

At regular intervals a great darkness descends upon them and a gigantic shape blots out the heavens, nutrients are dispensed and all give praise. They believe it is their praise and ritual that is responsible for these gifts.

There is much conjecture as to the nature of this phenomenon among the bacterial elite. The dispensing happens regularly after many generations and replenishes the nutrients so that the colony can flourish. There are different factions who each claim to have the only answer. Some assert themselves to be ‘chosen’, some to have had personal instruction and some converse regularly with the benevolent deity. They claim the nutrients come as a reward for their devotion. They deride the others during their generations of drought. They blame it on their wayward ways and sins. It is the errant ways of the masses that results in punishment from on high.

The factions get into heated dispute and violent conflict. All are the only true disciples of the wondrous deity. They each claim to hold the key to the heaven’s bounties. They squabble and fight.

But then shit happens.

I can’t help thinking that humanity is like that colony of bacteria. In relation to our size and lifetime the universe, with its infinite scope, is as mysterious as the porcelain and posteriors; our lives are brief flashes in the aeons.

We are microscopic scum on the surface of a minor planet orbiting a mediocre sun in an unexceptional galaxy. There are more galaxies than grains of sand. Yet we dare to extrapolate and understand.

I fear the domestos!