[N0B0DY]

"What I'm saying is, if God wanted to send us a message, and ancient writings were the only way he could think of doing it, he could have done a better job." [Dr. Arroway in Carl Sagan's Contact (New York: Pocket Books, 1985), p. 164.]

I think the message is quite clear. It is one of love and vengeance, to avenge the people cared about, much like any parent would seek vengeance for the oppression of those they love. Yet the love has to be universal, irrespective of persons, to the point where the ideals will serve to benefit all people.

"Part of my message is that we're not central to the purpose of the Cosmos. What happened to me makes us all seem very small." [Dr. Arroway in Carl Sagan's Contact (New York: Pocket Books, 1985), p. 420.]

I agree with this, but then we can imagine how much potential there is to be realized. I often question: "If nothing prevents something from occurring, will it occur?" I would say that all circumstantial possibilities are certainties given enough time, and an eternity is long enough for them to be realized.

"Far better it seems to me, in our vulnerability, is to look death in the eye and to be grateful every day for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides." [Carl Sagan, 1996 in his article In the Valley of the Shadow Parade Magazine Also, Billions and Billions p. 215]

This is fine if you're soaking in a thousand-dollar spa drinking hundred-dollar wine, but the magnificent opportunity really hits the dirt when riches crumble. Although exaggerrated, there are people who are brutalized and tormented and then they die. Who cares about these people? What exactly prevents these folks from having a turn at the good life?