I have always been one to "sit and ponder". I was the kid that wanted to know why everything did what it did. I am quite sure I drove my parents crazy with all my questions and when I was in 5th grade I was gifted with a basic physics book. I loved science. Well, I grew into a rebellious teenager in the late 60s and early 70s. I became fully involved in the "hippie" movement, the politics, the music, the drugs, etc. No time for science, had a war to protest, pot to smoke and really cute guys with long hair to hang out with. Education beyond high school went flying out the window with the pot smoke and the incense. When I was 20, I moved in with Jim and we got married 3 years later. We settled down a bit, got responsible jobs and became everyday people. Got a job that payed well but didn't challenge me. I was working for the U.S. Government...I had totally sold out to make a living. My radical/liberal thoughts were kept to myself and I plodded along until I could retire. The day came and I waltzed right out of there the first day I was eligible. I WAS FREE, FREE AT LAST!!!
Now I have plenty of time to sit and ponder. I decided to pursue my interest in science so I could answer my own questions as to why everything is like it is. And I have come to a few realizations that everybody could benefit from. Especially those people that think we are somehow unique, or superior to other living creatures on this planet or any other planet. Everything is made up from the same basic chemical elements, humans included. Most of the elements of our bodies can be found in a soil sample. Every living creature on this planet comes from a common ancestor. You can prove it with DNA. A chimpanzee and a human share 98.5% of their DNA. We are the chimps closest relative, closer even than other kinds of monkeys. The chimps are our closest relative...we are basically sexually mature baby chimps. There is no reasonable argument to support Creationism. That is totally out the window. So where does that leave religion? I read yesterday that only 51% of scientists believe in god. Where do I stand? I believe in a supreme being, a supreme order and plan. But do I believe in a god that sits in heaven and directs us earthlings? I have a million other questions...always do. And the more I learn, the more questions I have.
