Many Worlds

Lately, I’ve been taking advantage of conversations (in my doctor’s waiting room, among other places) to confront random people with the following question. Before I write up a summary of some of the interesting answers I got, I’d like to see if I can get some feedback from religious people on the net. Feel free to use the comment function. Or send me an e-mail, I’ll keep your identity strictly confidential.

Here we go:

Imagine you were under some kind of control that prevented you from doing four things:

• praying (including one-liners such as “dear god, help me”), seeking out religious places, and consulting religious literature or people
• using mind-altering substances, including alcohol and psychiatric drugs
• hiding from life, e.g. by going crazy
• taking your life

How big an impact would having “no escape from reality” have on you? How would you adjust your strategy for dealing with problems and challenges in your daily life? Who would you turn to in times of crisis? What alternative sources of comfort and empowerment would you explore? How long do you think it would take you to adapt to these new circumstances?

I realize that no method of control with such properties exists in reality, this is totally a what-if scenario. On the other hand, imagining oneself in unusual, even impossible situations can be an entertaining and useful learning experience. So why don’t you give it a try? I’d really like to hear your comments!