Whoever deciphers the universe's secrets wields tremendous influence over the future and those seeking answers and hope.
For eons, religion and science have battled for this influence. Religion enjoyed a monopoly on truth and as the middleman to god and salvation until pesky science started asking too many questions and doing experiments. Persecuting and executing the rational buffoons could not hold back the compelling fruits of their methods - the medicines and steam engines worked a tad bit better than sacrifices and prayers, shaking faith in the messengers of god. Religion lost ground and now we pray at the altar of Saint Huberman.
Yet, the geeks have one Achilles heel, the unsolved and elusive question - why did the Big Bang? Naval said in a podcast, “Existence is a miracle, everything else is science.” Everything but one thing!
The mystery of existence is religion’s final stronghold. Its persistently nagging nature makes it a powerful refuge, one that becomes increasingly relevant as science answers every other question and makes life comfortable. Even as the frail religious explanations of the universe falter against the rise of logic, the power of belief, spiritual narratives, and a community can fill the existential void and remain pertinent for a long time. Religions that are shrewd enough to make the pivot to spirituality may stand the test of time. God speed!