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Among amateur astronomers, we tend to "stick by" our loyalties to a telescope manufacturer. We've "bought in", and stubbornly insist that our brand of equipment is somehow superior in providing a better view, better value, or that the company provides better customer service. It's what we "know", and we generally don't care to entertain other options. We don't like to be challenged into thinking that we may have made a less than optimal decision, and we can be defensive and stubborn to that end. Occasionally we'll get sick of problems and switch brands, never to return. All that in a quest to "see the light". In that respect, there are fascinating parallels with religious belief systems. . . . Our world is like a tiny island in a vast ocean, hurtling through expansive space. I look at the night sky, and the following questions arise from within me: What are we? Why are we here? These are the same questions that philosophies and religions attempt to answer, and we each seek to find our own answers. Is there a universal "right" answer? How do we identify the truth? A few "red flags" that suggest to me that truth is NOT present:
After all, we're all fellow travellers on this little island, hurtling through space. . . . Similar to looking through a telescope, we're ALL trying to understand or gain insight into the bigger questions. The only issues that can truly separate us are our own pride and egos, and the "type of telescope" we use to try to see the heavens. Maybe it's time to grow beyond these limitations. |