My Worldview

1. How would you describe your “worldview” – your philosophy of life and reason for living? How does that impact your personal and professional life? Who/what is at the center of your worldview?

My philosophy of live is to live every day to its fullest. You never know when it will be your last day, when it will be the last day for a person with whom you associate with, or if you could have made a difference in someone's life had you been more kind and less selfish.

Today I attended a funeral and they always give me great cause for reflection on my personal life. Am I living my life in such a way that people will say the things I would hope they'd say when I'm gone? Will I live my life in such a way that people from all walks of life would want to come pay their respects? Am I living my life in such a way that I am prepared to meet God whenever He calls me home?

I live every day to make a difference, to help create light where there was none. I live every day because that is what my Savior would have me do. He never once shrunk from a challenge, he loved every one, and he did good continually. I live every day to one day become and emulate the perfect example He set forth for me.

My view impacts my personal and professional life greatly. Lately I have been praying to see people around me as God sees them. It has helped me to be more kind and less short of temper when things don't turn out how I want them to. We are all children of God and we need to feel that; and sometimes, we feel that through other people.

Because of God I have what I have in my life. He is the center, my life, and my light. This last week has been a growing experience for me as I have ruminated on these very questions. Being a teacher has taught me that even though my students struggle behaviorally, they need compassion in their lives too. That doesn't mean I give away grades, but it means that we all struggle and we all need some kind of connection to love.

2. This series considers two "diametrically" opposed worldviews. What are your initial impressions of the secular, or “scientific,” worldview? The “spiritual” worldview? Explain how these impression contribute to or mediate your worldview?

I learned some interesting things watching these videos. Actually I watched them a few times because I caught something new every time. I believe in science, but I don't believe it all came from a "big bang." There are so many things that point to a Higher Being.

Science fascinates me quite honestly. There are many things that have been pigeon holed into scientific equations. At one point a man talks about an "Orderer" because science contains order. Another points to "Naturalism" and says things exist because of nature.

I was not aware that Freud was actually raised a Jew. He also had some Catholic and Christian influences. His mother called him her "Golden Child." Religion, family and education consumed his life. His life was associated with many sharp changes; none of which were really explained. It makes me wonder if her turned to science to try and explain change because it was never explained to him.

C.S. Lewis on the other hand took everything for face value. He too was raised with family and religion as a center in his home. Lewis too had a bit of a rough go as a child with the loss of his mother and his father threatening to ship them to the Americas. He even prayed to God to save his mother but nothing happened. However, he held on to the "joy" that he had found one day in the garden.

I believe that sometimes the "joy" we find in our lives serves as an anchor for hard times. All of us have hard times in life, and we feel that God has not heard our cries. However, it is the times of happiness that help to keep us going from day to day.

Science is intriguing, but I believe in the Divine more than the secular. I am interested to learn more and to watch the remainder of the program. The more we know, the more tools we have in order search to find the answers we have been seeking.

Like Lewis, sometimes we feel faith has failed us. So we turn to science that never seems to fail. But is that the best thing to do? Do we really believe Science will outperform the Divine?