Human thought is influenced, informed
By trustworthy trail of success,
When to physical laws we’ve conformed,
And observed results we assess.

We want trustworthiness and reliability,
It’s why supernaturalism we forego,
Physical laws broken, no answerability,
Obviates reasoned thought, all we know.

Trustworthy are the facts in our head,
Not by proving absolute truth by test,
But trying to kill hypothesis dead —
Repeatedly failing, giving our best.

Supernatural events, on other hand,
Can be trusted in a single sense:
None can be depended on or planned —
For life, that’s a horrible expense!

Even “unpredictable” natural event,
Such as a tornado or earthquake,
Can largely be expected to be absent,
Some areas will never awake.

But few test supernatural beneficence
To protect from certain bodily harm,
Deliberately contradict laws of science,
To prove the truth of a religious charm.

Won’t jump nude from elevated height,
Or pray, not brake, to stop their truck,
Or appendix, to remove from site,
Conduct ritual, wish good luck.

Naturalist* approach is reliable one:
Jump from heights armed with parachute,
Press brake to avoid parking overrun,
Trust medical science, when pain’s acute.

Naturalists posit physical solution,
For this is the world in which they believe.
Supernaturalists, in a sharp devolution,
Involuntarily join — and cannot leave:

For all must to Naturalism attest,
In philosophy, or methodical fait accompli,
Lark happy, or screaming in protest,
Studious, or in repetitious plea.

It matters not, if one loathes this stage,
Nor yearning profess, with heaven to dock.
Naturalist approach, earthians must wage —
Observe Nature’s rules to dwell on this rock!
 
 

*Noun: naturalist
 

1. A biologist knowledgeable about natural history (especially botany and zoology)
 

2. One who practices naturalism, the doctrine that the world can be understood in scientific terms without recourse to spiritual or supernatural explanations.
 

© 2004 R. Leland Waldrip