Elias Stergakos

Man Created God (S) Elias Stergakos

The search to establish what is true and real regarding creation, life, and metaphysical states has tormented the human mind for millennia and has instigated many intense discussions. It was a brightly moonlit, star-studded sky when the heavenly bodies instigated a similar discussion between two friendsPotes and Mitsos, the two characters of this book. Potes is aware of the animosity that political and theological discussions could bring about, even between two good friends, whenever they have deep-rooted philosophical differences in those subjects; and he would rather not have them. However, he is not afraid to express his opinion when goaded. Mitsos, on the other hand, is persistent and adamant in his religious beliefs, traditions, and in the existence of Almighty God. In the dialogue between the two, Potes projects his convictions using scientific facts as well as quotations from the Bible while Mitsos, a good and faithful Christian, questions his friends position not only using theological philosophies and traditions that have stood the test of time but also using in defense of his position Crito by Plato and The Clouds by Aristophanes. None of the two characters of the book is a monolith. The comments or questions of one cause the other to think before he responds, and the combination of the two induce questions into the readers mind as to who of the two is correct. The conversation is bold and daring, considering the time period and the religious and social environment that prevailed when it assumingly took place. For Potes, the scientist, more than Mitsos, the religion teacher, no religious matter is considered taboo to be excluded from discussion and for its validity not to be examined. The dialogue does not delve into the rudimentary bases of the Christian religion only but also into, among other thigs, the Greco-Roman gods, the existence of the soul, the four related supernatural events (miracles, apotheosis, resurrection, and ascension), Genesis of the old testament versus cosmogenesis (the Big Bang theory), biopoiesis, cosmotheism, autocracy versus democracy, and not the least, the efficacy of hope. This is a book that demands an open mind.