Kyo Yuy

When we think of the most controversial debates in society today, most of us are quick to zoom in on the “science versus religion” controversy. The mass media often hypes and satirizes this controversy, which is largely centered on the theory of evolution. The masses are often led to believe that the goal of science is to disprove religion: many Fundamentalist groups often feel that the point of science is to lead people away from God, and many radical atheists are quick to assume that science has “disproved the existence of God.”

In reality, these stereotypical statements couldn’t be further from the truth. The media hype is an extremely simplistic, watered down version of a very complex and intricate discussion between theory and beliefs. The simplicity is a natural consequence of the fact that the masses, which are always eager to see intense conflicts, always focus on the extremists on both sides of a discussion, and then simplifying those viewpoints to make the discussion easier to comprehend. In other words, we only see the most outspoken Fundamentalist Christian groups condemning all forms of science, and we only see the most religion-hating atheists trying to use science as a means to justify their beliefs. We are ignoring everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, in between.

The source of this misunderstanding stems from one common misconception that most people have about science: that the point of science is to prove and disprove hypotheses. Most reputable scientists will tell you that the goal of science is NOT to simply prove or disprove ideas. Science is about observing the natural world, and creating models and theories to explain occurrences in the natural world. In other words, the goal of science is to attempt to explain what we CAN see.

Another common misconception about science is that science is an immutable blob of absolute truth. People stereotype science as a large collection of facts which are all 100% true and will remain true until the end of time. This is completely wrong: science is a rapidly changing field and scientific theories are constantly being thrown out and replaced on a DAILY basis. As technology advances and as new data is collected, scientists have to re-evaluate old models and see if they are inconsistent with the new data.

A classical example of this is the theory of aether. Up until the end of the 19th century, scientists believed that light traveled in an invisible medium called aether, and they spent centuries trying to visualize and capture the existence of this aether. Michelson and Morley, in their attempt to justify the existence of aether, ended up showing that light, in fact, actually travels in a vacuum, thus DISPROVING the existence of aether and earning the first American Nobel Prize. However, I say the word disprove with a grain of salt, as even this theory may be overturned one day in light of new experimental evidence. Just because our current observations show that light travels in a vacuum, does not mean we will continue holding the same theories when new experimental data indicates otherwise (ironically, Michelson continued to try to show that aether exists even after this experiment, and this is why scientists often refer to this as the most famous “failed experiment” in history).

In stark contrast to science, the main focus of religion is to explain what we CANNOT see. Whereas science focuses on creating theories based on observation, religion focuses on trying to explain the purpose of our existence based on beliefs. Religions, as a whole, do not try to prove the existence of God - in fact, most Western religious precepts are rooted in followers believing despite lack of substantial evidence. Christianity centers itself on asking its followers to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah as prophesized in the Old Testament, and that Jesus came to Earth to save us from sin. Christians believe that they are saved by their belief in this doctrine. Therefore, if this belief was proven based on scientific evidence and theory, then it would gain almost universal acceptance, thus making the whole commitment of faith a completely moot point. Since God is believed to be the INTANGIBLE creator of the universe, and science deals with everything TANGIBLE, we can never scientifically prove or disprove the existence of God. How can we prove that something we cannot see, does not exist? And thus is the source of faith in religion.

As stated, the crux of most religions is the explanation of things we CANNOT see, rather than the explanation of things we CAN see. As a result, most moderate and liberal religions will often re-evaluate their central dogma upon new observations in the scientific world. When what we SEE changes, theists have to re-evaluate what they CANNOT see and adjust their values accordingly. To see this point, one needs only to look at the Catechism of the Catholic Church from 1994 and beyond:

“”…methodical research in all branches of knowledge, provided it is carried out in a truly scientific manner and does not override moral laws, can never conflict with the faith, because the things of the world and the things of faith derive from the same God. The humble and persevering investigator of the secrets of nature is being led, as it were, by the hand of God in spite of himself, for it is God, the conserver of all things, who made them what they are.”

Furthermore:

“283. The question about the origins of the world and of man has been the object of many scientific studies which have splendidly enriched our knowledge of the age and dimensions of the cosmos, the development of life-forms and the appearance of man. These discoveries invite us to even greater admiration for the greatness of the Creator, prompting us to give him thanks for all his works and for the understanding and wisdom he gives to scholars and researchers….”

This is the official stance of the Roman Catholic Church, the largest Christian denomination, and it has held up to this day. The Catholic Church believes that science can never conflict with faith, and therefore Catholics must be willing to accept new scientific theories and accept that as part of God’s reality.

It is also important to note that the Catholic Church does NOT have a literal interpretation stance on the Bible. The belief is that God INSPIRED the writing the Bible, but that the book itself is written by flawed human beings, many of whom were historical scholars who often exaggerated their writing (as was traditional for ancient historians to do).

We must also realize that scientists, as a whole, do not see religion as an obstacle or enemy of science. An article from the National Academy of Sciences states:

“Scientists and theologians have written eloquently about their awe and wonder at the history of the universe and of life on this planet, explaining that they see no conflict between their faith in God and the evidence for evolution.”

While a large number of scientists are atheists, there are also a large number of Christian scientists, many of whom see evolution as a part of God’s beautiful design.

I am not saying that the stereotype is completely false. Yes, there are Fundamentalist groups who see science as the enemy of salvation. Yes, there are atheists who feel that science has proven that there is no God and that all religion is false. However, these two extremes represent an EXTREMELY SMALL FRACTION of a greater whole. In reality, the large bulk of scientists and theists view science and religion as two very different aspects of life, which can easily be reconciled by having an open mind and accepting the mutability of scientific theories as well as moral beliefs.

(I feel the need to make a quick note here that the Catholic Church has not changed its views based solely on scientific theories. In fact, the Catholic Church made MAJOR changes to its central dogma throughout the 20th century, many of which were related to re-evaluating religious morals in light of World War II and the creation of the atomic bomb. I recommend doing research on the Second Vatican Council for those who are interested).

tl; dr version:

1) If you’re a Catholic (hi Haley), you can believe in evolution and still be saved.

2) There ARE such things as Christian scientists.

3) Religion and science are not bitter enemies. In fact, religion often re-evaluates itself whenever there are any major scientific discoveries, not all of which are necessarily related to evolution.

4) Science can never prove or disprove the existence of God, as God is intangible and science deals with all things tangible.

Dear Haley,

I just wish, just once, you’d offer to have me over for once. Just once you’d be the one to say “Benson are you doing anything this weekend?” I don’t want to start drama or impose on you and that would be rude, so you’re never going to know I feel this way. But I hope one day, you can show me that you sincerely mean it when you say “You’re never a burden.”

I don’t think you’d ever invite me to anything or offer anything for me. But it’d be nice if you did it just once.

Even though I don’t think you really care/want me in your life, I’m going to keep harassing you to hang out with you because I need to fill that emotional void somehow. I’m being dumb but oh well.

Sincerely,

Benson’s Heart

I was SUPPOSED to go eat Indian food with friends today.

First bad thing: I got a parking ticket. Which was fucking bullshit because I’ve parked there plenty of times and I asked them before I parked there for the first time “Am I allowed to park there?” and they said yes. Different officer tells me I’m not allowed to park there EVER without a service permit, and I told him that the other officer said I was allowed to park there if I had a regular parking permit (which I did). The officer there just says that the parking ticket stands and I’m not allowed to park there, and closes the door on me. Biggest BS ever.

To make matters WORSE, I call Haley afterwards and she tells me right off that she can’t go eat Indian food with me today because she has “to do work at home.”

You know what I love about Haley. She tells me what an amazing friend I am and how she will visit me all the time when I go to med school. But yet, in the past YEAR AND A HALF that I’ve known her, she’s asked me to hang out with her ONCE, and that was during an anime convention late one evening. Every other time it’s been me calling her to hang out with her and half the time she CAN’T.

She also, immediately after the art show, asks Erin if she’s free to hang out over the weekend. And she arranges to hang out with Erin and Susie on Sunday. She ASKS Erin if they can hang out and makes it work. But when it comes to me, I call her, she’ll say yes at first and half the time she’ll end up being unable to.

You know, for supposedly being one of her “special friends” I really do get a lot of SHAFT treatment. I’m probably just as special to her as that “cute German kid” next door.

Honestly, I doubt she’d EVER even CONSIDER or THINK to ask me about hanging out with me ever. Really. She says the nicest sweetest things but I doubt she’d really want to do anything for me ever. The reality of the situation is that I’m very low on her totem pole and she just says nice things because THAT’S WHAT HALEY DOES. She makes me feel important with what she says… it’s just her actions aren’t very consistent with her words.

I really don’t want to talk to her or her friends about it though. Haley really is a sweetheart and has never done anything mean to me, and I don’t think I could ever directly confront her about an issue I’m having with her. Though I’m really tempted to just never contact her on my own again and see if she’ll EVER ask if I want to hang out with her. I doubt she would. But Haley has a million friends so whatever.

She says friendship is a two way street but so far it seems to be only going one way. I mean, I guess it’s two way if you consider that someone of her STATURE had the decency to answer the phone and hang out with me when I constantly harass her about it, but other than that… it seems heavily one sided to me.

But any way, I don’t want to make it sound like it’s just her. All my friends are like that. I do everything for them and no one ever invites me to anything, or talks to me, or asks me out of the blue if I’m doing okay. I always have to make the parties and talk to people and do all that shit, and if I ever stopped my friends would just disappear and forget I existed.

I should just drop off the face of the Earth or something. Maybe one or two of them will notice I went missing but I highly doubt it.

Everyone is so freaking facetious.

I kinda do want to tell Haley to her face but she’s already stressed out as it is. And she really is the nicest person I have ever met, it’s just that she has her life to live and I’m just a bystander watching, hoping to get a glimpse every now and then.

My admiration for her is really killing me. I should distance myself from her before I get hurt because I tried to cling to a friendship that was doomed to fail any way.

All my friendships are doomed to fail any way. Humans are such transient creatures. They have a 20 minute attention span and once that time is up they just don’t care any more. They say nice things to make you feel better but who knows if they’re being serious or just saying things because they can.

Whatever. Life sucks today.

I went home immediately after that because I was so upset and my thoughts disorganized. I tried to call Jon and Steve but neither of them answered. Apparently Jon had his phone on vibrate and didn’t call me until I got home. And Steve had other things to do today so we just decided to cancel the whole thing for some other time.

Today just sucks major balls.

When we marvel at Earth’s architectural wonders, we often look at what’s apparent at the surface. We see the towering layers of stone that comprise the Great Wall of China, the elegant geometry of Egypt’s pyramids, and the bold yet elegantly simple complexion and posture of the Statue of Liberty.

We often however, ignore that the key to these buildings withstanding the test of time lies in what we do not see: their foundations. Their structural roots, the architecture which anchors these massive wonders to the ground. Everyone is quick to appreciate the outer beauty of these structures, but what we fail to realize is that without a strong foundation, these buildings would have collapsed in a relatively short amount of time.

When I was in class today, I realized how this analogy can be applied to almost all aspects of life. I was talking with a fellow student today, and he mentioned that he was extremely worried about his first test in Quantitative Molecular Bioengineering. The class certainly sounds very intimidating, and the topics, at first glance, seem very complicated and difficult.

However, I had taken the class myself before. I thought that, for the most part, the class was not unreasonably difficult, given that it was open book and open notes.  I told him that all he had to do was understand how to derive equations, which was really nothing more than simple Algebra.

“But I’m not good at Algebra,” he responded.

That’s when it hit me: my Algebra class, which I had taken way back in 8th grade, has helped me perform extremely well in most of my math classes up to this very day. Multivariable Calculus, Differential Equations, even science based classes such as Physics and Thermodynamics - all of these classes involve problems which require students to recognize how different variables are related to one another, and all of these classes have, at some point, asked me to express one variable in terms of a series of several other variables.

This very concept is rooted in Algebra itself. It would not be a stretch to say that every math problem I’ve done up to this point, no matter how complex or intricate, involved utilizing the Algebra skills I acquired in grade school to help me reach a final answer or equation that the problem requested.

My Algebra teacher was easily the best teacher I had in  grade school. I felt that most of my grade school classes were a waste of time and that I didn’t really learn much, but I honestly felt that I learned a LOT from my grade school Algebra teacher. But I never realized, back then, that his amazing teaching skills would be  helping me cruise through math problems even at a college/borderline graduate level.

A good foundation is really important in all aspects of life. We all want to become the best of the best at anything right away - some want to be kung fu masters like Jet Li, some want to be Nobel Prize winning authors, some want to be the next American Idol.

However, one thing that Jet Li, Nobel Prize winning authors, and most good singers have is a good foundation. Kung fu masters often spent the first ten years of their training doing simple stretches, punches, and kicks. All English classes in high school begin their curriculum by asking us to write “boring” formal papers first, and most successful writers are able to write dazzling poetry because of a fundamental understanding of writing grammar and mechanics. Singing classes always begin by teaching us basic breathing exercises and proper posture.

We often oversee these basic things when we look at the amazing acrobatic moves that Jet Li can do, or when we see how a famous singer is able to sing such beautiful, aspiring notes. And granted, talent is of course extremely necessary in gaining the highest success. But in my opinion, the difference between a normal person and a world class success story can often be as simple as basic, fundamental mechanics.

In the fast paced, competitive world we live in today, we often strive to achieve success as quickly as possible, and we try to do those dazzling acrobatic fighting moves, write Pulitzer nobels, and become the next famous singer as soon as possible. We want results. We don’t want the effort. We think that it’s a waste of time doing the same basic punches and kicks over and over again. We want to write that Awesome Novel Idea we had, and we don’t want to write a formal paper on mundane things like Victorian England and stained glass windows.

But in reality, if we try to go for the gold without first establishing a strong foundation for ourselves, we’ll simply never reach the highest tier (or even HIGHER tiers, for that matter). We only see the results, and therefore we only want to go FOR those results. We ignore the fact that all kung fu masters spend years and years perfecting the same punches and kicks over and over ad nauseam, and we ignore the fact that most writers start off their careers writing formal articles in newspapers and that sort.

But really. It’s these seemingly mundane things that make a world of difference. Any professional singer will tell you that the whole key to singing lies in just being able to breathe properly. And while that SOUNDS pretty simple enough, it takes years and years to perfect, and having perfect breath control is what truly defines a world famous singer.

Moral of the story? Before you can walk, you have to learn how to crawl. And before you can run, you have to learn how to walk. Don’t scoff at the easier classes/lessons that you may take in a particular subject when you’re young, because your mastery of these basic concepts will carry you all the way to the top of the food chain.

I have a major test tomorrow in what is essentially Biochemistry.

It’s basically a big memorization class. I really hate memorization. It’s all right if the subject is interesting to me, but if it’s just memorizing boring things I don’t care about, like random structures of proteins, it gets really boring and repetitive. And then I don’t want to do it, so I do badly on the test. D:

Excessive memorization is completely useless. Everyone I talk to, who took that class, told me that they forgot the stuff soon after they were tested on it. So what was the point of “learning” all that?

The current education system is really messed up. I honestly don’t think education, as a whole, is about learning. It’s more a business, a competition, a drive to see who can get the highest scores and memorize all the right answers. And once the competition is over, everyone forgets the information they acquired and they never use it again for the rest of their lives.

So pointless. Sigh.

For the first time ever in my life, I became afraid of losing a very important friend.

After losing my best friend of 8 years, after my childhood best friend and cousin completely alienated me when I visited him for the first time in 10 years, after I grew distant with my elementary through high school friend, I came to accept reality.

Humans are transient beings. Friendships don’t last. People have to move on with their lives, they have to pursue careers, get married, things like that. At best people stay mutual acquaintances, but the bonds that hold best friends together slowly fade with time and with circumstance.

This is reality. I’ve accepted that. I know that all these wonderful friends I have now will disappear some day. I know that. Whether by their circumstances or mine. Some day I’ll have a busy career and a wife and kids. They’ll have their lives. I can’t expect people to stay my friend. I expected that out of so many people, only to be let down when I realized, too late, that they had already thrown me by the way side and moved on with their lives.

Even still.

Even then.

I can’t help but feel horribly uneasy. I don’t know why.

Of course they say they’re going to be friends with me forever. That wherever I go they’ll visit me, that they’ll be my support system no matter what.

But they have their lives too. Not to mention they can’t even drive.

I know they mean well. I know they do. I know they truly say it from the bottom of their heart when they say they’ll support me no matter where I go or what happens to the both of us.

I also know that it’s not the first time I’ve heard such idyllic expressions. People change. Times change. And when I cling to the past, I become swallowed up by the present. Reality slams into my face like a semi truck, destroying all aspirations I had of an everlasting friendship. My so-called “best friends” slowly distance themselves from me through time and circumstance, and I keep clinging to this bond until I wake up one day, realizing that the bond has already disappeared.

Ricky, Alexander, Patrick, Steve. They’re all gone. They’re “mutual acquaintances” at best. I tried to hold dearly to them, only to end up shooting myself in the foot.

It’s because of these experiences that I’ve decided to never cling to the past. I always hold my head up high, looking to the future. Because those who cling to the past are doomed to be swallowed up by the present.

I’ve accepted that everyone around me is going to disappear from my life some day.

But you.

You’re different.

It didn’t occur to me, until today, how much you really mean to me.

How many times your smile has saved me. How many times your smile has inspired me. How many times your smile has given me hope even when there was none. How many times you’ve IMed me and made me feel important, even though I didn’t respond because I was too tired or asleep.

Even in the deepest pits of my despair, you were there for me. When I felt like all my closest friends had deserted me, you were there. When I was desperately clinging to life, scrounging for anyone I knew that would support me, you were there. I don’t even know if you were happy or not, but you never stopped smiling. I felt that I was using you. Using you to get whatever sense of belonging I could get. But it didn’t bother you at all. You always smiled. And you’re always smiling.

There are a lot of people in my life now who look up to me, who think I’m an awesome friend, and who are jealous of my so called charisma. But you know it wasn’t always like that. You saw me when I was at one of the lowest points in my life. And whether or not you know it, at that time, you were one of the few friends I had left. You were one of the few support people that I felt would understand me. And up until the point of despair, I had barely paid any attention to you, because I had focused so much efforts on the same “best friends” who had thrown me away. When I was knee deep in a quicksand of drama, and crying to whomever I could find to rescue me, you were there. And you were smiling. And it’s because of you that I was able to scrounge up what little confidence I had left to turn my life around, and to make it what it is now. I really don’t deserve any of the friends I have now, because it was all thanks to you. Whether or not you realized it, you were the pillar of support I needed in that crisis.

But no matter how magical, how miraculous, how beautiful your smile is, you are still a human being. You are still subject to the current of time, and the winds of change. Circumstance will envelop the both of us, and distance will drive us apart, no matter how much I try to cling to the past.

You say the most beautiful things. You bring hope to others when they have none, and you bring promise of a new day to those who are consumed by the night. You are nothing short of a miracle worker.

But you are still only human. No matter how many miracles you bear for others, you are still a human being.

I know you’ve promised that we’ll always be friends, but I just can’t believe that any more. Not because I don’t trust you, but because I don’t trust Father Time. Even my best friend of 8 years drifted away before my very eyes. If life long bonds do exist, then perhaps I am simply cursed to be bereft of them.

I won’t hold it against you if we become distance. I know you sincerely say it with all your heart and soul, and that’s only a further testament to the kind of person you are. The kind of love you show for others.

Still.

Knowing this.

Accepting this ultimate fate between us.

I can’t help but be scared.

And today, that fear struck me like a lightning bolt.

I’m really scared. You have so many friends, and you’re bound to make more. Eventually I’ll be diluted out of your sphere of existence.

Today I felt like crying. I’ve never felt so strongly for any of my friends before.

You have such amazing friends. I guess that’s what it means to have a smile like yours.

Even if it’s true, I don’t want it to be. I’m scared. Some day we’ll grow distant too. But I don’t want that day to ever come.

I’m really, really scared.

Haley… meeting you was… the greatest thing that ever happened to me.