I recognize that there are those who think when my I.Q. reaches 50 I would be well advised to sell. While we await that happy event, however, humor me and riddle me this: what do old fish bones, Mars and The Da Vinci Code have in common? Let me give you some hints.
The name of the fish is Tiktaalik roseae that scientists estimate lived approximately 300 million years ago. The excitement about Tik has been generated by the joints in it's pectoral fins. They have bones that compare to the upper arm, forearm and primitive parts of the hand of land-living animals. As a result, it is claimed that a missing link in the evolutionary chain has finally been found. We may all sleep better now, no longer having to wonder whether there is any cosmic meaning or purpose to our lives. Just a few more findings like Tik and science may soon be able to prove to us beyond a reasonable doubt that human beings really are nothing more than the by-product of a wholly accidental intra-galactic bio-fart.
Meanwhile, back on Mars, twin robots named Spirit and Opportunity are hard at work spending billions of dollars to transmit what are said to be “teasing” views that “reinforce the prospect that microbial life may exist on the red planet.” Although no conclusions have yet been made, be assured, a “legion” of planetary experts are reviewing the data. And, it could be our additional good fortune that among them is included one scientist who has maintained since 1976 that “all factors necessary to constitute a habitat for life as we know it exists on current-day Mars.” Soon we may be able to prove that the bio-fart some have claimed is evidenced by the likes of Tik and that has produced what we commonly refer to as “us” was perhaps not an accident. In short, we may soon be able to prove that the prerequisite ingredients for such cosmic chemical flatuli to occur elsewhere in our galaxy have been located. We only need to hang tough and keep our eye on Mars for the three to four hundred million years some estimate it will take to come to pass, and then we will know for sure. How cool is that?
Unfortunately for some, the only thing that could make this wait unbearable is having to endure the dronings of those who continue to obstinately insist that all these interesting scientific factoids we are uncovering are really nothing less than evidence of an intelligence far surpassing our own … perhaps somewhat akin to a God. For those who are rooting for a Godless universe, that is troublesome. But, that is where things like the Da Vinci Code come in handy.
There is nothing like fiction presented as fact to redirect the thinking of those who tend to think very little. Throw out an entertaining story with a seemingly plausible foundation built upon carefully selected facts, and many who have never looked into anything Biblical deeper than to have read Dan Brown’s book will conclude that it tells them just what they have always kind of suspected. The good guy in the tale discovers that Jesus was just another ordinary guy with faults just like you and me. It was just that in his particular case he had an illicit affair (with Mary Magdalene) that produced an illegitimate bloodline that miraculously remained hidden from most of mankind until now. Some may reason, “Why, that’s just like Tik and the Mars microbes.” But, in the case of Christ’s alleged misdeeds, we are informed that we didn’t know this before now because the church successfully covered them up with lies and deceit for the last two thousand years. And, so it is that we are given yet another concocted version of history that will enable many to feel justified to question in their minds the deity of Christ. Then, from there it goes like this. If Christ wasn’t really who he said he was, then he was a fraud. And if that is true, then it must also be true that the church he founded is also a fraud. And if all of that is true, then we would certainly have to be an idiot to believe in any God who they both have insisted all along is behind it all. So, people, let’s get on the stick and keep focused. We are getting closer. Tik and the possibly-existent Mars microbes have brought us just that much closer to answering that age-old question: “Who cut the cosmic cheese?”
Perhaps by now I’m guessing you may have guessed the answer to my riddle. Things like Tik, the Mars microbes (that may or may not exist) and tales like the Da Vinci Code are all things availed upon by some to achieve a common purpose: to explain away the existence of God under a guise of searching for the “truth.” The problem is that their efforts run counter to what God says all men are born knowing in their hearts to be true. God’s truth is denied by many, but he would have us know that neither we, nor all the wonders we are surrounded by, are the product of an accident. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that [all mankind is] without excuse.” Interestingly, the next sentence then describes those who would deny that he exists by saying, “For even though they knew God, they did not honor him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”
The truth is either that there is a God or there isn’t. Both cannot be true. Think about that the next time crusty fish bones are used to say we are not the product of an intelligent plan. A plan that has been revealed to include, among other things, the sacrifice of his son to a most cruel death to atone for the sins of us all – a death, by the way, that was predicted in the 53rd chapter of Isaiah written 800 years prior to its occurrence. Then with these truths in mind, please accept my hope that your Easter celebrations this year will be both happy and blessed. Happy Easter.
© 2006 Clifford C. Nichols, Esq.
Cliff Nichols is an attorney practicing criminal defense/entertainment law in Santa Monica, California. He may be contacted regarding this editorial at either (310) 917-1083, cliff@cliffnicholslaw.com or www.cliffnicholslaw.com and you may join his blog at www.thedailystand.com