The discussion about the origin of
        the universe e.g. the controversy between Evolution theory and Intelligent Design is an
        artificial one. It is a clash between world views, rather than an "objective"
        exchange. Both theories serve underlying interests. It is not about "truth", but
        about which society will prevail: a materialistic or a theocratic one.  
        Evolution theory is a cover-up for rude capitalism,
        the survival of the fittest and a hierarchical power structure. Intelligent Design aims at
        restoring the domination of God, eventually paving the way for the US (religious) Right to
        conquer the entire globe. In fact, it is a power struggle between science and
        (fundamentalist) religion. Who is going to dominate the world is the issue
        here.     
        First requirement is not to get involved in this
        power game. The ones who do will sooner or later be confronted with the situation, in
        which you have to unavoidably choose between one or the other. The way out is a genuine
        quest for Truth. Inevitably, both approaches have to be challenged. To start with science. 
        The core of science is NOT its methodology. Many
        major discoveries are NOT the result of scientific research or/and procedures, but of
        sudden flashes of inspiration. As if the new insight comes "from a different
        dimension". Some scientists even speak of a moment of "grace", in which
        they "received" the solution to their problem as being some kind of
        "revelation". 
        Insight and thinking are thus two different
        dimensions. The former as the result of having tapped a source of intelligence bigger than
        oneself; the latter being a function of one`s own mind. Once the breakthrough is there,
        follow-ups are made to elaborate on the details. Obviously, the less "creative"
        a scientist is, the more emphasis on the day to day laborious work, eventually defined as
        "science". 
        There is a relationship between intelligence and
        rational thinking. Thinking appears to to be a derivative of intelligence. Note, that in
        situations that really matter, we don't need thinking. "Without giving it a thought
        he jumped into the water and saved the child". One might even say, that in such a
        case thinking would be an obstacle, rather than a facilitator. 
        Many say, that in such situations it seemed that
        "something within took over". Something that "was leading me in doing
        exactly the right thing". "Great clarity and effectiveness were steering my
        actions". In sports comparable experiences can be observed. "Suddenly something
        within took over. It made my running totally effortless. That's how my new record was
        established". 
        This understanding of the two dimensions of
        intelligence has been eroded in time. In the ancient world intelligence was called Logos,
        and had to be distinguished from ordinary thinking. With the coming of the industrial era,
        the need for practical thinking increased dramatically, though. The utilitarian attitude
        gave rise to the intertwining of science, technology and capitalism. 
        The problem is, that nowadays thinking is called
        "intelligence", while in fact it is a derivative of it. The servant sits on the
        throne, instead of the king. Does this support the "Intelligent Design" lobby?
        The problem is, that the latter has been corrupted right from the start. It is not a
        genuine quest with an open end, but an attempt to - when the time is ripe - put the
        biblical God in place. 
        That's why they keep silent about what
        "Intelligence" is all about. Therefore, I believe our concern should actually be
        about the creationism coup that lurks beyond. If "Intelligence" is understood as
        an impersonal Dimension - e.g. like Buddhists do - many people would be willing to
        accomodate with it. In fact, the new physics - vacuum physics, zero point energy, the
        various cosmologies and quantum physics in general - already incorporated notions of an
        underlying "Intelligence". 
        It thus depends, how we "define"
        Intelligence. As stated above, science is not the only faculty, that is able to pronounce
        upon it. Moments of "Sudden Enlightenment" can give you insights, that even can
        go deeper than scientific breakthrough. Spirituality thus being the bridge between science
        and religion. Accounts of mystics of all traditions, therefore, have to be taken
        seriously. They might have answers to our quest for Truth. 
        The closer to reality, the more reliable our
        judgements. Have you ever read some of our most important mystics, those having had
        "God-experiences?" People like Meister Eckhart, Ruusbroec, Jesus, Teresa of
        Avila, Rumi, El-Arabi, Sri Ramakrishna, the Buddha, and many others? While reading them,
        haven't you felt the resonance in your innermost core, a deep recognition about the Truth
        they are conveying? 
        The suprising thing is his. The more intimate you are
        with the Divine (like the mystics), the less you refer to biblical texts. People who
        really KNOW, don't consider these texts as literally "words of God". These words
        were written with the purpose of explaining things to simple souls*. You should not take
        them as absolutes. That's why Eckhart says, that "in order to come closer to God, you
        have to get rid of him" e.g. the image that is created of Him through Bible and
        Church. 
        * This isn't meant disparagingly. On the
        contrary. Only when our cosmic model attracts the interest of a wide range of people our
        initiative will be able to contribute to a better world. 
        Creationism - taking the Bible literally - therefore,
        is the real problem here. It is an instrument in the hands of some power-hungry ignorants,
        trying to impose their distorted view on society as a whole. Until now, progressive people
        didn't have an answer to that. They consider everything "religious" as backward.
        This is a grave mistake. Countless people are desperately longing for meaning. If we don't
        give it to them, the fundamentalist Right will do it for us (already doing it). 
        Giving meaning is certainly not the privilege of
        fundamentalism, only. On the contrary. Its underlying drive is mostly fear, to start with.
        Hence, the clinging to "absolute truths". There is nothing wrong with seeking
        security, though. Genuine security lies in trusting Truth, and the values - insight,
        openness, freedom, compassion, generosity, connectedness, joy, justice, peace and being
        part of nature - that originates from it. Obviously, external threats, force, punishments
        and manipulation are not part of it.     
        Therefore, an "Intelligent Design
        Initiative" new style - without the underlying fundamentalist trap - on the other
        hand, should be welcomed rather than rejected. It could serve as a platform on which
        various interpretations of Intelligence could be challenged*. We - progressive people -
        should start participating in that project, introducing the wisdom of all peoples,
        cultures, religions and times. I will make a start with introducing the insights that were
        bestowed upon me. 
        * Giving it a much deeper and broader
        perspective, thus taking it out of the hands of fundamentalists. 
              "In the
        beginning" there was (is) Nothingness, also called the Vacuum or the Cosmic Womb, the
        Bottomless Origin of existence. By "emptying Herself", Her Creation Body - the
        Divine Light - is (continuously) born. This formless Dimension contains all forms, at
        least their primordial potency*. The direction of this cosmic force is toward
        manifestation ("centrifugal"). The greater the distance between the Source and
        Her manifestations, the more they "are thrown upon themselves". 
        * Compare the "ideas" of Plato. 
        This is the stage in which nature seems to function
        "on its own". It corresponds with those mystical experiences in which - after
        moments of Cosmic Unity - the Divine "retires". The natural world is apparently
        "thrown upon itself", developing itself "according to its own laws".
        This is what Darwin meant, when he called it "evolution". It refers to visible
        processes, only. What he failed to mention, were the underlying cosmic forces, though.  
        So evolutionists emphasize the phenomena at the
        surface of things, while advocates of Intelligent Design focus on the underlying
        Dimension. These two don't exclude, but rather complement each other. Without the cover-up
        of Christian fundamentalism, this could become a very fruitful inclusive concept, indeed,
        satisfying many approaches, cultural traditions and scientific schools.  
          Once the distance between the Source and the
        visible world becomes too wide, the latter becomes less nurtured and decay sets in
        ("centripetal"). It marks its "return to the Source". In the Vacuum
        everything dies in order to become reborn, hence the former also being called the
        "Cauldron of Regeneration"....... 
        Darwin described the "survival of the
        fittest". Obviously, this has some truth in it. What he omitted through, was the
        impact of the underlying Cosmic Forces of "Creation" and
        "Destruction". These Forces are in a dynamic balance with each other. They
        determine the eternal cycle of "birth" and "death". This cycle - the
        "vertical dimension" - is responsible for the mechanisms of evolution.
        Everything else is secondary. 
        Obviously, the situation in Europe is very different
        from that in the US. Here, we don't have the threat of a dominating Christian
        fundamentalism. However, rational e.g. cynical thought, relativism, individualism and
        materialism have replaced the sense of sacredness of existence almost completely. A
        spiritual revival is dearly needed. Hence, a discussion about the true nature of our
        Origin would be very welcome.   
        I could go on explaining many more details. However,
        this would deprive you of your own intelligence. I therefore prefer to stop, giving you
        all the space to creatively proceed your quest. One thing will be sure. If you manage to
        authentically search for the Truth, your reality for sure will be a very fulfilling one,
        preventing you from falling into the trap of false securities.    
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        (Back to the start of Han Marie Stiekema's
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