I’ve absolutely no idea if God exists. It seems unlikely to me, but then – does a trout know that I exist? (British comedian Billy Connolly, quoted in The Independent on Sunday).
So much we don’t know! Which is one reason why Epicureans are among the most tolerant people on Earth (well, most of the time!). We don’t persecute people for what they believe, belong to exclusive tribes, start wars, or constantly try to control everyone around us. Epicureanism is founded on pleasure, peace of mind and friendship. The trout doesn’t know I exist either. The difference is that,while I hope that the trout has pleasant, fulfilled life, I don’t care that he doesn’t know about me. Peace to trouts everywhere.
A bit of theological good news. A few days ago, my four year-old grandson asked if I believed in heaven. “Yes, in a way,” I answered, avoiding mention of angels and harps. His advice? “When you die, Nonna, look around. If there’s nothing there that means there’s no real heaven.”
This Epicurean finds charming the matter-of-fact suggestion: “look around.”