Literalism and Belief

Why do we persist in relationships that make us unhappy?  Why do we chase after love that has gone? Why are we so afraid to live life alone? Why do we need that companionship? Is it all biological? Is love just an evolutionary advantage?  Is love real – does it exist?

I don’t believe in much that I can’t see.  I’m an atheist, although not in the literal sense of the word – “against theism.”  I simply lack a religion.  Some people – some atheists, even – define atheism as a religion, but I disagree.  I don’t doubt that it can be such for some people, but for me, it certainly isn’t.  I have no tenets, no rituals, no taught beliefs.

I have decided for myself how it is appropriate to act, and I act accordingly.  That is all I have – my own code of ethics and morals.  Yes, these were undoubtedly fixed in my mind early on by my quasi-religious upbringing, or the more religious upbringing of my parents.  Therefore many of the values I hold are consistent with major religious values.  But I do not hold them still because of any agreement with a particular religion.  Any value or belief I hold is one that I have found to be consistent with my world view.

I don’t believe in much that I can’t see, but I do trust science.  I trust those who spend their lives in pursuit of truths, and submit their findings to their peers for review.  The open nature of scientific discovery and review makes it very unlikely that fraudulent information has been disseminated to the public.  This is not to say that the general populace does not believe incorrect information.  (For the record, Young Earth Creationists, Moon Landing Hoaxers, and 99.9% of all other conspiracy theorists are wrong.  This is not just my opinion, but fact.  Plain old wrong.)

So I do trust science: I believe that I am made of skin and bone and muscle and organs, which are all made of cells, which are made of organelles, which are made of chains of molecules, which are made of atoms, which are made of smaller particles, which are made of quarks, which may be made of tiny, vibrating strings.

And I believe that the Earth revolves around the Sun, which is in the Solar System, which is one of billions and billions of such systems and revolves around the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, which is one of billions and billions of galaxies and is “moving,” in a relative sense, away from all other galaxies, and that said “movement” began about 14 billion years ago in an event we (lamely, according to Bill Watterson) call the Big Bang.

I don’t believe in much that I can’t see, but I believe that 2+2=4.  I believe that pi = 3.141529… and cannot likely be defined.  I believe that cosine = uhh…  Sorry, Mr. Peterson, I forget all that crap.  But I totally believe it.  What I mean to say is that I believe in some things that I don’t even understand.  I don’t understand what a quark is, or how empty intergalactic space itself is expanding, but I believe it.

I don’t believe in much that I can’t see, but I believe in love.  I have no proof of love.  I am told by science that love is a particular set of chemicals being released into my brain, which starts and maintains a physical reaction so that I am more encouraged to stay with an advantageous mate.  I reject this outright.

I do not reject its truth; I reject its singular nature.  That is absolutely the physical, biological side of love.  But any definition or description of love must demonstrate pluralism.  If John Lennon had to take a whole song to define it, then we cannot rely on science alone for an explanation.

Love is the most complex emotion that we can observe.  Hate is comparatively simple.  Rage and joy, sadness and ecstasy, these things can all be understood.  Love cannot.  Love will drive some to madness, and others to ultimate happiness.  It will make some cry and others shout with joy.

What we cannot explain is why – why, after hardship, rejection, or even physical violence –do we still chase after love? Is it that hardwired into us that we absolutely must have it?  Is it simple loneliness – is our existence so founded on that deep a level of social interaction that we will sacrifice so much for such a connection?

Is it that chemical cocktail being released in our brains? Does that cocktail feel so good that we’re willing to sometimes destroy ourselves in an attempt to experience it, or even kill ourselves because we can’t get it?  Is serotonin that powerful?

I don’t believe in much that I can’t see, but I believe in love.  I usually need answers to my questions – that’s why I know a little about a lot of things (except about math, apparently – snore).  But for love…I don’t know.  I don’t think I want to know.

The mystery of love is maybe the biggest reason it’s so alluring.  We can’t define it, but we know it when we see it (thank you, Justice Alito).  I don’t know that if given the opportunity, I would choose to know the secret of love.  Can’t say it wouldn’t be tempting, though.

I can say this: I don’t know what it is and I can’t see it, but I believe in love. (Awwwww...)

Music: John Lennon - "Love"