I M Probulos.com

The three general theories for where life began are:

1. Deep-sea thermal vents,
2. Shallow pools possibly in clay,
3. Panspermia: life was seeded on earth from outside our world.

Abiogenesis is a different field and issue than evolution. There are numerous videos and explanations available on the Internet that illustrate how molecules combine based on biochemistry to form more complex structures and replicate.

Panspermia begs the question of how did life start on another planet but invoking a deity only starts an infinite regress, which our mortal minds cannot wrap around (the concept of no beginning or end). A more descriptive term for an Uncreated Creator would be Advanced, Timeless, Inter-Galactic, Trans-Dimensional, Alien Life Force, Über-Entity, and Quantum, Probability Engine.

My short form is Cosmic Über-Entity.

Into the mix above I would like to introduce a unique slant and simpler answer to the origin question: Probulism. That’s the Quantum Probability Engine part above. Probulism is similar to Secular Humanism except it proposes that probability is the First Cause. It is a science-based alternative to atheism or agnosticism. Probability does not write books. Probulism is a deist philosophy and a unique alternative for those without faith or who find traditional religion is not for them.

Why is there a universe? Why is there life? The simple answer is Probability. The universe is here. Earth is a living planet. We exist. The probability is 100%. Probability is not a being, an “it” or even an entity. Probability is not to be praised; only respected. You disrespect probability at your own peril.

The main point is that whatever created or caused the four constants, for example, is more abstract than anything we could comprehend. So while “probability” may not be very satisfying as an answer, the actual answer is likely a thousand times more complex and abstract. This Cosmic Über-Entity is indifferent to our well-being; I believe that it exists in a timeless, dimensionless, quantum world, or one even more obtuse, and likely does not even differentiate between life and non-life. If it is truly timeless, able to exist in all time periods, then even concepts like life and death, existence and non-existence would be meaningless to it.

Albert Einstein famously remarked in a 1926 letter to Max Born:

“As I have said so many times, God doesn’t play dice with the world.”

However, I stand this on its head: Probability is God; God is probability.

God is the Dice!

God works in mysterious ways!

If a ferry boat capsizes in a Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, or Hindu nation, does a deity swoop down and save everyone? Nope! Never. Those who live and die do so based on probability: where they were, could they swim, their age, were there enough lifeboats. No deity was involved.

The probability that the four constants (weak force, strong force, gravity, and electromagnetism) were an accident is impossible! I propose that our Cosmic Über-Entity (aka Probability) created them! No need to add the long beard and 633 rules on how to live your life. Just keep going back to the very First Cause: Probability itself. What else could exist outside of time and space?

The same for the Big Bang (formation of the universe) and life). These are often referred to as low probability events where Apologists like to spout made-up percentages with dozens of zeros at the end. Rare? Sure. Impossible? No, we are here. Probability created the universe and life. Over billions of years, hundreds of billions of stars, and forces we cannot even imagine, this universe, this planet, and life on it happened. Perhaps the multiverse theory is correct and there were billions of non-forming universes before this one. The same goes for all the hundreds of billions of lifeless planets where no one is wondering how special they are.

Everything is based on Probability!

Is there a purpose to probability? That is impossible to say. I don’t see any. I cannot answer “why?” And I don’t think it’s life because for all the pretty roses, puppies, and kittens, there are equal parts disease, starvation, war, hate, and lots of misery to go around. And it certainly is not humans. This is not good work. Did I mention predator/prey? What psychopath came up with that idea? It is so much better a function of evolution than the best an Omnibenevolent God could devise.

If our Cosmic Über-Entity is so mysterious why call it a god? Call it probability, because that’s what you are really describing.

You are applying agency and intent to random (probabilistic) events.

Throwing the virgin into the volcano did not make it rain. It just rained.

We can segue here into “blaming the victim.” When your voodoo magic or prayers don’t work just blame the victim! They did not believe enough or have enough faith. That should be considered criminal behavior! And child abuse for sure.

This idea is definitely food for thought.

I M Probulos

A Religion for the Rest of Us

Probulism