Trust

What is something you trust the most? Maybe it’s a person or a system. Take a moment to make note of this and keep it in mind while you read this article. It’s ok to pick a few things - I won’t test you at the end. And no, it doesn’t have to be anything specific. As a refresher I would like to start with the dictionary definition of trust.

Trust - “reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.”

One of the things I picked was my 2009 Chevy Cobalt. Over the past 10 years I’ve had great confidence in the reliability of it starting when I turn the key. There was maybe only one or two times when I forgot to turn the cab light off and it drained the battery, but every other time it has proven consistent repeatability. I’m not the one to gamble, but if I were, I’d bet all my savings on the chance that it will start the next time I turn the key.

Another thing I trust is my canyoneering equipment. When I’m rappelling down a 200 ft cliff like I did last week, the risk of equipment failure is certain death. My life depends on 100% reliability. Unlike my car, a 99.9% chance of success is not enough to save my life. Before each canyoneering trip I inspect and test my equipment in controlled and safe settings to eliminate any foreseeable risk.

It is because of these circumstances of significant trust that I find it so curious that the phrase “In God We Trust” has found its way onto our money and licence plates and into the pledge and Country’s motto. Reflecting on historical centuries of religious observance, scriptures of its many varieties, numerous supposed prophets, countless contradicting personal ‘spiritual’ experiences, and the abandoned myths of yesterday's religions, I think of how unreliable and inconsistent these invented gods are. Aside from being an unapologetic crude violation of our constitution to separate church and state, it’s such a poor motto to proclaim a trust in an unobservable invisible deity. Which god is being trusted in? Even if you happen to worship the correct version of a god, he has never proven a consistent pattern to trust in. Sometimes he answers prayers and comforts you, other times he answers in an unexpected way, or maybe he doesn’t answer your prayer to try and strengthen your faith. These outcomes are similar to the random chance results of a magic eight ball. But wait, God is perfect and trustworthy while people are fallible and responsible for inconsistent supernatural results. Not true. There are so many examples of purely righteous and good moral people who pray and receive no answers. I know, God works in mysterious ways, right? Sorry, but I think better to not trust in mystery. If I’m canyoneering, I won’t trust in a mysterious result of a 200 ft rappel.

Trust in repeatable science, not mysterious imaginary deities.