Imagination is a wonderful thing. I closed my eyes and when I opened them, this man was sitting opposite me in a large leather armchair. He had dark hair combed back in a sort of quiff. He also had an enormous walrus mustache and penetrating eyes. Good golly, I was staring at Friedrich Nietzsche, the philosopher I recently read about. He must be embedded in my subconscious!
“Are you Friedrich Nietzsche?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Can I ask you some questions? I’m in a state of confusion.”
“You may.”
“When you said, God Is Dead, what did you mean?”
“I meant, science has seen off the concept of God! The religious systems of thought that humans created to make sense of the world are gone.”
My jaw dropped!
“Mr. Nietzsche, does this mean that now, with his death, life is meaningless? I mean, God has been the source and keeper of all values and meaning for the world, so now what do we do?”
“Yes, my son, with God dead, you lose all that and with that all gone, yes, life is meaningless!”
“But, Mr. Nietzsche, what’s to become of us?”
He smiled beneath the monstrous mustache and said:
“Be brave, my son, after the death of God, you will be able to face the meaninglessness of the world.”
“But how?” I cried nervously.
“You will take responsibility for creating your own meaning and direction in your life.”
“That doesn’t sound easy to me,” I stammered.
“God has done the job for over 2000 years, so it will take a while for you to get the hang of it.”
“Mr. Nietzsche, sir, what is your Number One principle that I can use as a guide?”
“My Number One is, To Make One’s Own Laws For Oneself.”
“Oh, I see. Don’t become your Master’s shadow because the Master is dead.”
“By jove, you’ve got it! Be Master of your own shadow! You, and you alone, are Master of your destiny. Set your own goals and create your own meaning.”
“I feel better already,” I said smiling.
“Sure you feel good. You will become an “UBERMENSCH”. A man in control of your own world.”
“Sounds good to me,” I said, expanding my chest.
“I hope some of your confusion is gone, my son.”
“Oh yes sir, by the way, what are your favorite sayings?”
“That which does not kill us, makes us stronger, and He who has a WHY to live can bear any HOW.”
With that, Nietzsche disappeared.
I was left whispering to myself:
“I am an UBERMENSCH!”
God died and I never went to the shiva (jewish memorial). I would have sent a tray of coldcuts for the family could enjoy in their mourning. Oh well, it’s too late now. I’ve never believed in God and yet I will say “oh God”, “Jesus Christ” and ask him or her for help and guidience. I guess I’m not ready to face life all alone. God help me!
To be or not to be? God or no God, does it change who you are, what you want, how you care for others? If God did not exist, would it change how you live your life now? I doubt it very much – if you are a good person or a bad person, it’s all about choice – God got nowt to do with it.
Wow now I must bring up my faith in god. I believe so much in god and without my faith I could not be who I am. My faith is what keeps the smile on my face. God is my guiding light. I pray several times a day. It gives me peace to know he is with me. I thank him all the time for helping me. When I connect with people it is my faith which directs me in what to say and do. I have to believe in heaven for it comforts me to believe that our loved ones are their looking down on us. And when we die we will join them in heaven. Because of this I carry on each day and am happy no matter what arises. Good or bad we make our choices. Live is great God bless and hope your New Year is the best ever.
To Linda,
To believe or not to believe in God is a personal choice we all make.
If it helps you, I respect your choice.
Carry On.
Happy New Year ,Dave !
When I saw #Nietzsche I groaned ! Did a little philosophy in my post-grad year,related to Education …enough for me !
This ageing #agnostic prefers Art,Poetry and History ….{^_^}
Come on, Pat,
Even an ageing agnostic has to philosophise once in a while!
Fascinating piece and I love the comments too. I don’t believe in anything. I am quite happy not tearing myself apart in the name of religion, or anyone else for that matter. Belief in religion is the cause of most unhappiness, cruelty and wickedness in the world…don’t get me going on wars. We are born, we live, we die and then oblivion.