ENGL 100 20 Star Essays - Existence Of God, Philosophy Of Religion

ENGL 100 20 Star Essays - Existence Of God, Philosophy Of Religion The idea of science and religion are merging to lend a hand to mankind, who is seeking for universal knowledge was explore in "The Star" by Arthur C. Clarke. Religion has always been there to provide humanity a reason for its existence in this world, and science has developed into a way to test religious beliefs. The question if mankind can handle the truth when they attain the knowledge and it doesn't match their expectation is talked about in the story. On the search for proving God's existence, the narrator faces a predicament. He begins to question himself about his faith at the point where science and religion merge. Clarke demonstrates the narrator's trouble because of the significance of the nebula's scientific and religious. The narrator's uncertainty comes from his inability to acknowledge that humanity is not the center of religion or the universe. The name of the narrator and Phoenix Nebula have a huge significance impact on the story. The narrator is a Jesuit-astrophysicist who name is unknown. Even though we do not know his name, this suggests that the author wants to identify him as a whole with humanity rather than a specific person. The Phoenix Nebula, later known to be the Bethlehem star, became the symbol for the birth of Jesus and religion. The idea that Christianity rises from the death of the star and eventually another civilization is similar to the animal Phoenix. The narrator is forced to see the possible outcome that awaits him when he remembers the similarities in the other civilization, resembling human civilization. His search to prove God existence allows him to notice a wide range of possibilities. He believes in them but was unaware of how his fate will be determined by the hand of God just like how he was unaware of how the quest for knowledge could have an impact on him. The narrator couldn't rid of the image, because it reflected his own personal emotions toward the beginning and his inevitable downfall. A civilization, similar to human civilization was sacrificed in order for Christianity to be born shows how humanity will end up with the same fate because the glory of God surpasses the glory of humanity or any existence. The narrator finds himself admitting that his findings did not reject God's existence. In the end, the narrator does not question faith but rather on what it means for mankind in the universe. However, he still does not accept the fact that humanity is rest in the hands of God. Ultimately, the "The Star" by Arthur C. Clarke does not question the presence of God but the question of man's arrogance. It is neither justifying or falsifying that God made the narrator to question himself about faith, but him realizing that he is not at the center of everything including religion anymore. Mankind is left with the decision on choosing what to do with the newly inquire knowledge for humanity and its future.