Were You There?


A guide at NASA tells a group of kids that a moon rock on display is 3.5 billion years old. Kid asks: "How do you know? Were you there?" Similarly, a minister tells his Sunday school kids that Jesus did this or that miracle. And a kid asks "How do you know? Were you there?" I think the kids have the answer in their question: the power of now. History, science and books of religion can be guides or a matter of record, or possible record. But you weren't there. Why must our time on earth, NOW, be enslaved to matters of consequence that no longer apply to the world we live in.  Instead, let's be dedicated to matters of relevance.  Let's keep the universal laws and truths that transcend time: Like "love and treat your neighbor as you would have them love and treat you," and yes damn it, the Earth is round and orbits the Sun (for now).  But the rest of it, I don't care.  I don't really know or care why Sodom burned.  I wasn't there and neither were you.  I don't care if we descended from apes or Adam and Eve.  Because we are here regardless and it doesn't change the fact that we have to live with each other.  Proving evolution or having faith in creationism doesn't change where we are today, or address our very current global problems. I don't care if dinosaurs were on Noah's arc or if they lived millions of years.  All I know is their remains fuel our cars and it won't last forever. I don't care if science can prove I was born gay or if people think I chose it.  Cause even if I did choose it, I promise I can and have done a lot better and no worse than many straight married and divorced people.   There is no heaven or hell beyond the heaven or hell we create on earth today.  Any religion, science or ideology that tells you that you and yours are the chosen one over any other group and uses that as a means to fight wars, kill or subjugate others different in any way...I promise you, that is not the word of God nor the evidence of study.  That is the faith in prejudice and the truth of greed.  So base your truth or your faith on the real live people, actions, mysteries, facts, problems, solutions, joys and sorrows you know of and live through everyday.  One day a kid might ask you "How do you know? Were you there?"  Well...were you?