Heavenly Host

The stunning all-sky image taken by Planck is dominated by the brightness from our own Milky Way galaxy

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1292104/Our-Universe-revealed-Dramatic-sky-photo-gives-new-clues-happened-Big-Bang.html#ixzz0yayX7OZI
For some, shock and profound unease that
the brilliant mind in the diseased body of
an extraordinary intellect has presented the
ultimate scientific assessment, based on
advanced physics and planetary discoveries
synthesized with a generous helping of reality;
that Nature does very well for herself, in
harnessing gravity to creation, obviating
as redundant the fanciful clinging to the
belief in a Divine Presence manipulating the
Cosmos to create Being, and you and me.

You may cling ferociously to the blessing
of faith, giving meaning to your life and hope
for your future. As for me, and others who have
never submitted to faith in a higher order of
sublime existence, an omnipotent, omniscient,
controlling Illuminated Presence of ultimate
wisdom, we are not at all perturbed, nor yet
do we preen with the satisfaction of those
whose disbelief in divinity is rationally validated.

Of course, faith is not rational. It is an ingrained
phenomenon of the mind embracing the soul's
need for reassurance. To cling to the belief that
"we are not alone". That a Heavenly Father,
concerned for His flock controls events, and
to Him prayers of devotion and entreaty must
be humbly addressed without question. Nothing, no
assurances to the contrary, will disturb the deeply
placid belief in the Almighty that believers
clasp so deeply and passionately to themselves.

No one being, of human descent, is completely
knowledgeable, neither the Pope, nor science's
foremost theoretical physicist; both are fallible,
each possessed of their own very particular brand
of hubris. One born of faith, the other of the gift
of genius. Each inheriting from predecessors
thought, instinct, reaction. In the presence of God
and the absence of God alike, we exist, capable
and yet fearful of what we do not know.

Nothing will alter that. Although believers and
non-believers alike are capable of enjoying views
through a cleverly arresting series giving us leave
to admire Nature's great gifts to all living creatures,
even when the presentation comes in the guise of a
thankful paean to the worshipful God Almighty.

www.andiesisle.com/creation/magnificent.html