The Labyrinth

There exist hundreds and thousands of theories in science. String Theory. the Big Bang Theory, and the Flat Earth Theory are just some present today. Though most have factual evidence to support them, some are completely ridiculous. On a similar note, religious beliefs have been present for as long as mankind has lived. Religion and science together have clashed for centuries. What are your fundamental beliefs? Perhaps the most important question sought to answer in every culture, and in science is what happens when we die?

Simon Bolivar, a Venezuelan military and political leader, in his dying moments, "was shaken by the overwhelming revelation that the headlong race between his misfortunes and his dreams was at that moment reaching the finish line. The rest was darkness. Damn it,' he sighed. 'How will I ever get out of this labyrinth!'' (John Green, Looking for Alaska). What then, does this mean? I believe that the labyrinth refers to the suffering of humanity and our aversion to the unknown. We fear death. The idea that when we die, there is perhaps darkness, or simply nothing, seems to be an impossible concept, and one most people wholeheartedly shy away from. How can someone just cease to exist? So is religion real, or is it something we make up in our minds to escape the permanence of death and the eternity of suffering? Do we create "fact" in science? Buddhists believe in reincarnation, Christians in Heaven and Hell. But what if there really is nothing? Would it be easier to live, fully understanding how fleeting the flame of life is, and how black the end may be? 


We all need something to pull through our own labyrinths; we all need something to believe in and hold on to. Religion and science are brilliant for this. Fact or not, they provide an out, and an escape from whatever the end may be. Choose to believe, choose not to. What matters is finding the thing that will get you through this labyrinth.