In nature and in human imagination, two powerful forces—Ocean and God—share striking parallels. While they may seem like entirely separate concepts, a closer look reveals a deep connection. Consider this: if we substitute the word “Ocean” for “God,” many familiar sayings retain their meaning, illustrating the profound relationship between the two.
- “God is good” becomes “The Ocean is good.”
- “God will provide” becomes “The Ocean will provide.”
- “God will make a way” transforms into “The Ocean will make a way for its inhabitants.”
This parallel isn’t just poetic; it highlights a fundamental truth about both entities. The Ocean, like the concept of God, is a source of sustenance, guidance, and awe for those who depend on it.
Yet, unlike debates about religion, the Ocean escapes the disputes and divisions that often arise from humanity's interpretations of God. No one argues that one ocean—Atlantic, Pacific, or Indian—is the “true ocean” or claims that their ocean is superior. The natural world accepts the Ocean as it is: a vast, interconnected body that sustains life. Fish and other marine creatures abide by the laws of their ecosystem without questioning the Ocean’s existence or waging wars over its supremacy.
Contrast this with human behavior. Religion, politics, and power struggles have led to division, conflict, and bloodshed. Wars are fought over differing interpretations of God, doctrines, and sacred texts, often with devastating consequences. Fundamentalist ideologies proclaim exclusivity, asserting, “The only way to God is through [insert belief system],” creating barriers where none need exist.
Fish do not need to live morally perfect lives or engage in rituals to appease an unseen ocean deity. Their actions are rooted in survival and the balance of their environment. Predation in the ocean is not driven by greed or malice but by the natural order. Humans, however, have introduced manipulation, greed, and malevolence into their own survival mechanisms, often with catastrophic results.
This divergence between humans and nature stems from our obsession with control. Religion, politics, and war have become tools of division, perpetuated by those seeking power. These systems keep the masses distracted and divided, preventing unity. Followers, conditioned to accept dogma without question, often fail to investigate the origins of their beliefs. Instead of seeking knowledge, they are instructed to avoid it.
Consider the biblical warning from Genesis 2:17:
“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”
Such passages discourage inquiry, discouraging people from seeking understanding beyond the confines of religious texts.
When asked to describe God, even humanity’s greatest minds struggle. Defining such a vast and abstract force is as impossible as asking a fish to describe water. Both are essential and ever-present, yet beyond simple comprehension. Those who claim certainty often rely on stories passed down through millennia, many of which are borrowed or adapted from older traditions.
For example, the story of Jesus shares striking similarities with earlier mythological figures such as Horus, Attis, and Dionysus—stories that predate Christianity by centuries. These narratives, while meaningful to their believers, are often steeped in allegory rather than historical fact.
Instead of clinging to rigid doctrines, perhaps we should embrace the broader perspective offered by nature. Like fish in the sea, we are integral parts of an interconnected whole—an ocean of consciousness, if you will. Whether we call it God, the Ocean, or something else, the essence remains the same: a vast, unifying force that connects us all.
