I am a huge South Park fan. I have seen every single episode ever made. It has some of the best social commentary about everything and anything. However, one of my favorites of all time is the South Park’s movie “Imaginationland”
Here is a reason behind that. People always question what is real and what is not real. The question comes up very often in discussions about God. Is it real or is it a figment of imagination? It almost always comes down to this: can you prove it?
That’s where it all usually stops because nobody can prove or disprove the existence of God.
As I was reading the book called “The Evolution of God” by Robert Wright, I realized that it does not really matter of it is real or not. What really matters is summed up in the following quote by Kyle:
“General: If I’m not mistaken, you’re the one who bet that leprechauns weren’t real. So why do you care what happens?
Kyle: Because I- [catches himself] I… Um… because I think… they are real. It’s all real. Think about it. Haven’t Luke Skywalker and Santa Claus affected your lives more than most real people in this room? I mean, whether Jesus is real or not, he… he’s had a bigger impact on the world than any of us have. And the same could be said of Bugs Bunny and, a-and Superman and Harry Potter. They’ve changed my life, changed the way I act on the Earth. Doesn’t that make them kind of “real.” They might be imaginary, but, but they’re more important than most of us here. And they’re all gonna be around long after we’re dead. So in a way, those things are more realer than any of us.”
To be honest, I was blown away. So simple and to the point.
In short, one could say that something is real if it has an impact in our lives. That is all that matters. Weather God is real or not, does not matter. God, at the very least, represents an idea, which can change lives and empower people.
That is all the more reason to respect other people’s view and beliefs and not to try and force ours upon them. What is really real might not ever be understood by anybody. This does not mean that we should try and stop understanding the underlying reality behind our world. No!
The understanding that real things are those that make an impact on our lives gives us a common ground to relate and opens up communication channles with people around the world with different beliefs and worldviews.
In the end, even if we figure out the TRUTH of how this world is put together, would it really change the way we live or the aspiration in our lives? We can look through history looking for an answer and we will see that values of love, honesty, friendship, sacrifice and so on have always been central to our existence.
So next, you are about to challenge somebody else reality think about this simple lesson from South Park and instead of closing the doors you will open them up wide. It does not hurt to explore!
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Image: Bill Doc
14 Comments
Thanks for writing this Tom! This makes a great point in regards to arguments and religious wars. It bothers me when religions fight each other based on the greater truth. There really isn’t any greater truth. The only truth is the one YOU believe. When I was in Italy a Catholic Priest at the Vatican found out I was not Catholic. Then he proceeded to tell me that there is only one true religion (Catholicism) because there is only one truth. He is right there is only one truth, and that is the truth an individual believes in but there is not just one religion. I am fine with organized religion but when practitioners of that religion start claiming that their religion claims the only truth, that is where problems grow out of.
I have heard many notions of the above article. First off, Tom (being a close basketball buddy of mine in college)…that is definitely whats up. Now,…as we look into the various belief systems we will find that there is not one wrong aspect in any of them…(including the one you are believing in right this second…). We can even go as far as to say that “I” out that thought in your head. Takes “true” understanding and wisdom to each catch on to alot of what we all are saying; even with us putting it in such a simplistic form.
In the “end”, which in turn “I” believe is only the mark of a new beginning; we will find that everyone is right, and no one is wrong…How powerful is that knowledge?
Why do we think there is power in numbers? If we all think positive…which we should…great things, blessings….Better yet, why don’t we all just think LOVE!
The Term…
GOD “The Lord our… GOD”/prime creator/jehovah/yahweh/energy=LOVE
The Term…
God aka “OUR” spirit aka=the god in us (part of the LOVE)
I have more where this came from…I think we as a whole are finally starting to catch on, and TOM has helped begin the process of understanding.
Hey Casper:
I am a bit surprised hearing from you, but I really appreciate your insight.
There is a lot going on in your comment and I am not sure I could follow your train of thought completely, but one thing that I can relate to is this : LOVE.
It seems that humanity is slowly converging towards the truth of LOVE as our natural state of being. Matter of fact, I have discussed it in one my previous articles on LOVE. It is one of those concepts that can be understood intellectually, but not so much experienced.
If you have not read the book “The Evolution of God” then I highly recommend it, it will change the way you think about world and why Love might actually be the ultimate answer.
Best,
Tomas
Hey Z:
Yea, it seems like we should prescribe South Park to those causing problems in this world:)
Jokes, aside, I agree, proving who is right or wrong in religious disagreements is about as beneficial as saying that his apple is better than the other. However, I am not sure if I agree with the fact that there is not one single truth. I actually believe there is an underlying truth of how this world is put together. However, there are many interpretations of that truth, which creates so many different realities in which we all live.
However, this might be too much of an argument for this article. If you really start digging deep, then you will realize all sort of problems that exist when people argue about truth.
Best,
Tomas
…what a simple concept. A simple concept that carries with is a HUGE impact
Most things in life are like that :)
It’s funny that it takes so many words to describe one simple concept :)
Hi Tomas,
“Something is real if it has an impact in our lives”
Not only this could be applied to the questions about God’s existence or not, but also to the existence of real people who doesn’t make any difference in someone else; in other words: If your actions didn’t make a difference for anybody throughout your life…did you really exist?
Very good post that leaves me with homework to keep thinking about.
Thank you!
Raul
Hey Raul:
Very insightful comment! Very existentialist, and very to the point. Made me reconsider how I am leading my life. I liked your unique perspective.
Matter of fact, just asking the same exact question can help one realign their values to serve others and live their life. Maybe that’s what you would call the difference between mere existence and living?
Thank you, Raul!
Best,
Tomas
Hey Tom,
Such a great point taken from a classic South Park multi-part episode.
There’s a big difference between what is real and what physically exists.
Maybe some things aren’t a physical being. But their imaginary existence creates a real impact. And that really can make it real for some. Even more so than many of the things that actually exist on Earth.
Cartman rocks,
Oleg
Hey Fellow South Parker :)
Not much to add there, except that Kenny hasn’t died in a while? What’s up with that?
Best,
Tomas
Good on you that you found something in pop culture to be spiritually inspiring
!!
QwkDrw:
It is actually very surprising how much gold you can find in today’s pop culture! You just have to be aware of them, otherwise they will fly right by you.
Actually, I have been really into anime lately and I have been having all sorts of epiphanies while watching Naruto. It might be nerdy, but pop culture can teach you things :)
Best,
Tomas
If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it – did it make a sound? It does if you “think” it did.
In the end – what is real is what has impact. I hate South Park – but mostly because I am esthetical driven and it’s just too damn ugly. This was an interesting post. And the comments led myself and my lover to a long series of discussions. So thank you.
“If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it – did it make a sound?” – I am still trying to figure this one out, but I can’t wrap my brain around it just yet.
I am glad that you and your lover were able to get some benefit out of this post. Just reminds me to keep writing and challenging the already established worldviews :)
Happy learning!
Best,
Tomas