Beyond God

The concept of an overseeing supernatural being puts limits on intellectual inquiry. Truth, in this paradigm, is obscured. Freedom is curtailed. Reason is undermined. Nonetheless, most of the world wants to believe in some sort of creator and invisible overlord. It gives them comfort. It creates communities of like believers. It has, perhaps, helped humanity gain its foothold on Earth. That said, it in no way gives us an accurate, provable foundation for determining our place in the universe. Though some people can persist in believing that the world is flat while still leading satisfying lives, others cannot. The truth is simply too important for them, even when the truth may be uncomfortable.

Taking God and gods out of the equation opens new horizons. We may not like what we find, but it is preferable to living in organized delusion, otherwise known as religion. In Beyond God, I investigate the world with the God filter removed. How has religion influenced art? How will AI influence belief? What are the implications of the Multiverse Interpretation and the Simulation Hypothesis? How will society evolve in the coming decades? My position is simple: I don't want to persuade believers to join those of us who require truth. I want just the opposite. I would prefer that the religious remain so and live happily within their own imaginary world. I seek instead to form an elite group of truth-seekers who can, in effect, serve as the conscience of mankind.