Circle of questions

[1]

Swami Tejomayananda [1]

One of the common questions that many people ask me is: Why did God create the world? Though the question is the same, I have found that the reason for asking, or the actual questions in their minds are different. Let us see why people ask this question in the first place.
A student of science, theology or philosophy has an academic interest in discovering the cause of the world. A person drowning in sorrow or pain, seeing no solution to his problems, in despair asks: Why did God create the world? However, his actual question is: Why am I so unhappy? Sometimes, when we look at the world and see disparity amongst people, natural disasters, innocent people being exploited, etc, we question in anger: Why did God create the world? We feel that God is supposed to be just, kind and loving. How can He watch all the sorrow in the world? Why does He not do something about it?
The theist already believes in God and the world as God’s creation. He has some concept of God and vague theories of how the world is created. Therefore, he wants to know “why” God created the world. Such a question, however, will not arise in an atheist. He may ask: What is the world? How did it come into existence?
I must admit that I too do not really know why God created the world. Once Marconi was explaining in detail how the radio works. He finally admits to his friend, “I know how it works, but I don’t know why it works.”
There are many answers that have been given to explain the motive behind Creation. Let us consider these answers first.
l “Ask Him, He knows best.” The motive behind an action is best known to the one who does the action. Others can only infer the motive. Such an answer does not satisfy us. We think that the person doesn’t know and is avoiding the question.
l “For His recreation.” This creates more questions and even indignation. When we are suffering, He is enjoying. And why does He need recreation?
l “He wanted to manifest His potential to create.” Why did He want to manifest His potential?
l “He wished to manifest His glories.” How can a perfect God create such imperfection?
We see that every answer produces counter-questions. This is because we have a certain, concept of God as a person, sitting somewhere and creating the world. Thus, we end up questioning and justifying our own notions. Now let us give up all our preconceived notions, prejudices, likes and dislikes, and enter into the discussion with an open and attentive mind. Why did God create this world? We shall see next time.

Swami Tejomayananda, head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide, is an orator, poet, singer, composer and storyteller. To find out more about Chinmaya Mission and Swamiji, visit www.chinmayamission.com [2].
© Central Chinmaya
Mission Trust.