“And with that our 12’th Student’s Capstone Presentation Gala comes to an end. I want to thank all our presenters and esteemed guests for making today so inspiring and memorable. From groundbreaking theories to insightful research, it’s evident that the future of science and discovery is in very capable hands. To our mentors, judges and organizers—thank you for your invaluable guidance and hard work in making this event a success. Now to close our ceremony, it’s my Honor to invite our esteemed chief guest, Dr Ard Barfi, a name we all are familiar with, a genius who has revolutionised our understanding of particle physics and continues to inspire minds worldwide.” The audience erupted in applause.
“On that note, he has kindly offered that today our students will have the unique opportunity to ask questions directly-so please feel free to do so!” After completing her speech, the young woman with brown hair stepped down from the stage.
Then a man in his mid-twenties with long black hairs and a long handsome face with round specs stepped towards the stage made of smooth black marble which was polished to a glass-like finish that reflected the glow of bright white spotlights centred in the middle. As he stepped forward, his footsteps echoed sharply against the marble with each step resonating through the now, silent auditorium.
“Good evening everyone present over here” after a short pause he starts smiling “I am ha—h still not very good with addressing audiences, in my defence I only have 2 years of experience behind me. But uhhhh today’s presentation they were absolutely fantastic and amazing. Their research and ideas are so impressive that it makes me excited to see what kinds of mind-blowing innovations they will come up with next. Also, I would like to thank The University of Tulip for inviting me here and giving me this wonderful opportunity” (audience started clapping).
“Without taking up any more of your time, I’d be happy to answer any questions you students have. Just raise your hand and Emily over there will bring you a microphone, so you can ask your question."
Many of them Instantly raised their hands and then Ard picked one of them.
"Hi, sir. I—I’m a really big fan of your work and... uhm, I’m really, really excited to be here. I wanted to ask... do you believe in God? I tried looking it up on the internet, but... uh, I couldn’t find you saying anything about that"
“Woahhhh Now that’s hell of a way to start the discussion.” chuckles “If you’re looking for a straightforward yes or no, then you might end up disappointed.”
After a short pause he answered, “It is a common logic that everything has a process of creation and a creator. For instance, every part of my body-my skin, bones and muscles-are ultimately composed of countless atoms like carbon, hydrogen and oxygen which were all created in a star’s core. The universe and everything in it begin with cosmic genesis*. And we know nothing about it, how was it created or what caused it? It is only natural to assume that there was a process of creation behind it and perhaps a creator too. While I don’t say that it is the only possibility, but I personally believe that it is the most probable case. But who knows? Perhaps it simply emerged from nothing, as anything about it truly seem to defy all logic.”
The student on the mic asked again (now less nervous) “Can we take that as a, yes?”
“Well to simply put it I believe it’s more likely, that God exists”
“Is it safe to assume that your faith in God is according to your religion? Given your background in a Doronian family or is there any other……?”
“To me, religion and God are two distinct things. Like think of it this way: religions often paint God as this ever-loving, endlessly forgiving and gentle being who is kind and humble enough to overlook our faults. Yet, alongside this image we’re taught about certain rules that, if broken, will send us straight to eternal fire. It’s like saying God is the ultimate parent but also the strictest judge on technicalities. Doesn’t it feel like a contradiction?
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Like on one side, religions tell stories of God forgiving people’s sins under different circumstances. But this same loving deity would supposedly be so furious and burn me in eternal fire just because I worshipped using the name alpha instead of beta. How does that even make sense? Honestly, it even feels a little offensive to the idea of God. If a being like God exists, I’d like to think God would be far too humble and wise to be offended by something as trivial as a misnamed title or a human-made ritual.
In my view, if we’re like God’s children then wouldn’t God love us the way any parent would? Obviously, there’d be consequences, but only for actual wrongdoing—not for harmless slips like choosing the ‘wrong’ language for prayer or being part of different religion. After all, if God is as wise and caring as we’re told, God would understand our prayers no matter what religion we follow. So, to answer your question—many of my beliefs regarding to God are influenced by Doronian but I don’t agree with all of them.”
Then the boy instantly grabbed the mic and said, “Looking around in the world with all the suffering and pain, don’t you find it hard to believe that such a being exists?” (now much more confident and serious)
“Well, you might be right! Maybe God doesn’t exist or maybe we were just created for some sort of sick pleasures of dimensional observer in this void of ignorance. But if that’s the case, I refuse to respect such a being and would even fight one if I have to,” he said with a stern expression but suddenly, after noticing the change in atmosphere he politely apologised, “Sorry I just got carried away please continue asking questions and others too, please continue.”
Many of them start raising their hands and he began to answer each one of them.
After a long day, he headed out of the university’s parking lot in his sleek and all-black car. As he drove, he found himself lost in thought to think that the very first question would be a bombshell ughhhh…. I’m honestly so tired.
As those thoughts in his mind kept running, he thought to himself, when I imagine God. I don’t picture a figure or a face. No grand being seated on a throne, no blazing light. Just... emptiness. Infinite space. Pure consciousness adrift in the void.
And what would be the purpose of creating us? To explore what it means to be conscious, to be alive? If that’s the case, does that make us partners in the search for understanding? Maybe even a reflection of creator’s own struggles with existence.
He exhaled slowly, shaking his head. Whatever……... I just need to be properly prepared for any kind of questions. I also need to make sure that I don’t offend anyone, that time I really crashed out. I guess I should just head back and unwind. A nice, warm bath... that sounds good right now.
Ard’s home lay on the outskirts of the city. It was a sprawling manor surrounded by vast gardens filled with diverse trees and plants. After a refreshing bath, Ard decided to take a quiet walk beneath the night sky while seeking solace in the stars.
As he strolled through the garden, his gaze caught a strange red light flickering among the trees. His curiosity piqued as he followed the glow deeper into the garden. Behind a line of towering trees, he spotted a shady man muttering softly to himself. Suddenly, a mysterious white and blue light enveloped the figure and before Ard’s eyes, the man’s form transformed, stretching into that of a 6’6 tall, dignified man—his presence like one from ancient legends. Even from behind, Ard could feel the man’s commanding aura.
The stranger’s hair was pure white which was gleaming like snow beneath the moonlight. His attire, though simple—a white robe with golden borders—possessed a beauty beyond anything Ard had ever seen. Then, with a subtle movement, the man conjured a golden throne adorned with jewels more precious than any treasure known to humankind. As he seated himself, his charisma intensified and his presence became nearly overwhelming.
Ard’s heart raced. An unshakable pull drew him forward. Unable to resist, he felt compelled to kneel in reverence, as if standing before a being of unimaginable power.
He threw himself in front of that man and the only words he could mutter— “Are you—you, Are you God?”
Why did he say that? Why did he believe the man before him was God? He used to think of God as formless and faceless. So why had he asked this unknown being if he was God?