5 July 2006

One of the fun things about working in the hospitality industry is the tips. My best tip so far was from some musicians: tickets worth $70 to see a rendition of Mozart’s Requiem. The music was spellbinding: fervent, passionate and evoking a vision of humanity redeemed through its art and reconciled with nature and the infinite. It made my spine tingle.

The worst tippers are the politicians. Working at the New South Wales parliament I was appalled to learn that it’s common for tables of eight to gorge themselves on (taxpayer-subsidised) food only to leave the most trifling of tips, if one at all.

On the important subject of whether spending decisions should be made by politicians, what is Australia (20 million people) doing with three levels of government (federal, state and local) anyway? The USA (300 million people) and India (1.1 billion) have the same number. After observing first-hand the expensive infrastructure maintained by the taxpayer on behalf of the second tier, I can report that no expense is spared on it (except when it comes to tips). There’s even a special bell which rings when not enough of them are in the chamber because they’re too busy living it up (and not leaving tips). I listened to one (unimaginative) speech by the leader of the state opposition criticising the incumbent’s taxation policy. Simply abolishing himself apparently hadn’t crossed his mind.

I’ve been continuing my post-Qur’anic musings. Miracles are a recurring theme in both the Bible and Qur’an. There is an unspoken assumption running through both books, and much of human culture, that miracles are a relevant way for God to prove His existence.

In the Old Testament there are many instances where the prophets use miracles to prove that they speak for God. This differentiates them from the false prophets, who do not speak for God and cannot therefore perform miracles. In the New Testament there are numerous miracles performed by, and associated with, the life of Jesus. The Qur’an records no new miracles, but states repeatedly that those described in the Old Testament (particularly those of Moses) prove that God is real. However, it then rejects the idea of producing additional miracles on the basis that God does not need to prove himself.

In short, claims that God does not need to prove himself with miracles lie alongside claims that past miracles prove the existence of God.

I reject the whole principle of supernatural miracles. I see miracles around me all the time. In fact, I live in one. The universe does not need to be reduced to a pantomime sound and light show in order to prove something about God as a short cut to enlightenment.

The conjecture that there is an entity (‘God’) who creates a universe that operates on rules but then needs to step outside those rules to get things done indicates a striking lack of imagination. God (who can do anything remember) could simply be more cunning about His initial rules without recourse to this crude and silly miracle nonsense.

I believe supernatural miracles are an example of an archaic, abstract concept, stuck in our collective psyche, that is a relic of a time when things were explained in terms of magic. If the human race is to construct a functional long-term spiritual framework for thinking about how it relates to the infinite, surely such concepts should now be set aside.

Chuck the Python update: I’ve developed an almost paternal interest in Chuck the Python’s welfare. I often find myself nipping over to his tank to see what he’s up to. Having looked up diamond pythons on Wikipedia I’ve now declared myself the house expert on constrictor snakes. I level criticisms at Eden that he is insufficiently responsible to look after a python. He taunts me that I am middle-aged and loopy. Whippersnapper.

Days since leaving London: 405
Length of fully grown diamond python: 6 metres (20 feet)
World’s biggest snake: the green anaconda, 9.5 metres (31 feet), 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds)

‘A donkey with a bunch of holy books is still a donkey.’ – Sufi proverb

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