A Scientist can well explain that the phenomenon known as atmospheric thunder is the end result of the bolt of lightning, as discharged from the clouds where it has been previously generated. As the lightning courses it’s way through the atmosphere, it carries with it extraordinary levels of heat. The air through which the lightning bolt passes is heated to 50,000 degrees F - hotter than the surface of the sun, which apparently burns into oblivion all the air particles it charges through on it’s course. This leaves a split second tube of vacuum in the expanse of the pressurized atmosphere surrounding it. So as soon as the bolt of highly charged electrical power is discharged (finished), the constant and tremendous overall holding power in the earth’s atmosphere immediately snaps the surrounding air back inwards; instantly filling the void once again.
Naturally, as witness to such things, we know this all takes place close enough to instantaneously, for as we all know, lightning can be quick, around a millionth of a second, or so we are informed. There are various kinds of thunder, which would indicate that there are likewise varying forms of lightning. They are all a highly charged electrical release, but the difference in how each actually presents itself, becomes quite a complex discussion. For now, we will stick to an observation of the humble lightning bolt, as is most often witnessed.
So when the empty void created by the lightning bolt is instantaneously filled with the surrounding air through the inherent power of the earth’s atmospheric pressure, the reaction is so sudden and violent, that the resultant effect of the air particles colliding as they rush inwards, can be quite a BOOM!, which can send the most placid of animals, children and yes, even me into sheer panic. Of course, the more power (voltage) in the lightning discharge, the hotter it is, the more air molecules are burned up, the louder the thunder, and the more attention it receives.
Such is perhaps a scientist’s explanation of the phenomenon of thunder, but a religionist’s version would most likely be quite different. He might tell us that thunder is a sign from the Big Man in the sky, that He is very powerful, and that I need to obey Him because He is showing me that He has sufficient authority over me to instantly wipe me out of the picture, whenever he might desire. Is this too simplistic an observation of the religionist’s view? Well how about this one, as actually delivered to my 9 year old niece by a religionist: "Lightning and thunder are god's way of showing you that you have been bad, and he is angry with you". That sure put some godly understanding into her - with nightmares for the next week.
Under the circumstances, that a religionist generally lacks a fuller understanding of WHAT IS, I doubt that he can manage the word ‘love’ too easily into either explanation above, without sounding exceptionally trite. Of course, the religionist doesn’t like to sound too trite when explaining natural events, but he will explain in all earnestness; that thunder is part of creation and therefore part of the Creator’s plan. As with all 'mom and apple pie' observations, this statement cannot be too disagreed with, yet is that really all there is to it?
So it's up to you, to make up your mind about which of these above explanations are more appropriate and authentic to be delivered to the discerning ear of a young child. Right now, we might look at the reason for the thunder clap in the first place, for as interesting as thunder is, it’s ‘creator’, being the lightning bolt, is a far more exciting, relevant and illuminating event.
Note: It’s only fair to state that there are other scientific explanations for thunder, such as the air surrounding a lightning bolt ‘exploding’ as a result of the heat. The writer of this post accepts that this may also occur to some extent; however it makes far more sense (to him) that the loud crack of thunder eventuates as described above, and experimentation seems to back up this explanation fairly conclusively.
Following, is an excerpt from a web page, with a reasonable explanation, as from a scientist.
“Lightning is a gigantic electrostatic discharge (the same kind of electricity that can shock you when you touch a doorknob) between the cloud and the ground, other clouds, or within a cloud. Scientists do not understand yet exactly how it works or how it interacts with the upper atmosphere or the earth 's electromagnetic field.
Lightning is one of the oldest observed natural phenomena on earth. It has been seen in volcanic eruptions, extremely intense forest fires, surface nuclear detonations, heavy snowstorms, in large hurricanes, and obviously, thunderstorms.
The creation of lightning is a complicated process. We generally know what conditions are needed to produce lightning, but there is still debate about exactly how lighting forms. The exact way a cloud builds up the electrical charges that lead to lightning is not completely understood.”
http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/primer/lightning/ltg_basics.html
So lightning is a very interesting, even if not overly understood occurrence. Actually, as lightning is so instantaneous, it may only ever be explained in theory; through logic and discernment, and little else. However, there are some quite vital and awesome observable realities which are NOT explained in the above honest expose. Nor are these facts easily accessible as from within any general domain of understanding. Why these obvious realities are not yet common knowledge in the world of science and our general understanding, is yet another study. For now, as it is the express purpose of this blog to ‘JOIN THE DOTS’ as to WHAT IS, let us attend to this very task if we can.
The electric discharge from a storm cloud is certainly a mighty thing to witness. With voltage galore, astounding heat and speed to ‘burn’; it is awesome and terrifying in one. However, there is an exact replica, of the very same event occurring millions of times every second of every day within every living thing upon the face of this planet, from the smallest crawling insect and worm, right up to the mightiest of mammals, and especially the mightiest of all - man himself. Any living thing that relies upon muscular interaction for movement is effectively and constantly using the exact replica in microcosm of the lightning bolt, and amazingly without ever a single thought needing to be given to even one of these highly intricate actions.
Therefore, as astounding an event as lightning is, there is a far more exciting example of an identical occurrence; this time with the awesome immensity replaced by an even more awesome finesse and delicacy, which is again, far more accessible and observable, yet less understandable – unless we know what we are looking for, that is. Such are the amazing dots we intend to join as to 'WHAT IS' (YAHWEH). ). So we might say that our example in microcosm is a pure vision of exquisite quality over the exceptional quantity (of lightning)..
So where can we observe such an amazing reality of WHAT IS? Also why has nobody joined these two obvious dots before? And what does it all mean in the greater scheme of WHAT IS (YAHWEH)? We might just ignore the second question above for the moment in favor of the first and third.
Scientists will further explain that the human body has somewhere between 656 and 850 muscles at any time. Now even the most basic of actions, for instance my finger wagging, requires a most complex interaction of many muscles for any minor task at hand. Each muscle involved needs to ‘know’ with minute accuracy, and in turn; precisely when to act, in what precise range, with precisely how much force, and precisely when to stop acting; in order to accomplish such fine detail as we might witness from, say a brain surgeon or even me wagging my finger.
The essential concept here is IMPECCABLE PRECISION IN EXQUISITE DETAIL, and it must be said; entirely beyond our comprehension. For if we didn’t have such astounding PRECISION in our dexterity, we would punch holes through our keyboard whenever we typed, and gouge out our eye when attending to any tender itch in that region, for we would have raw uncontrolled lightning bolts charging through our nervous system rather than highly controlled impulses of PRECISION.
So how does each of the many required muscles for any action know with such amazing PRECISION when to act, to what degree, at what rate of variation, when to stop and the next to start? Simply put; this is accomplished by (as lightning) electrical discharges (or impulses) from between the two halves of the brain. Simple as that, if such could ever be an appropriate expression (it certainly is NOT) for such perfectly tuned attention to details of extreme PRECISION.
Therefore, without the electrical discharges from the center of life (the brain) upon every muscle in it's correct turn within every slithering, crawling, walking, swimming, flying and digging creature, giving it the power of mobility through PRECISE respective muscular interaction, we would each one; remain as no more than the dust of the ground, and planet earth would be as dead as it’s moon.
Naturally, the PRECISE electric impulses sent out from between the two halves of the brain do not have the devastatingly awesome amounts of power behind them as does lightning, nor the heat generated. However the results are far more astounding and alluring. For these impulses have exquisite minute detail in place of raw power. They don’t burn into oblivion vast areas of atmosphere within their momentary lifespan, but offer movement, in a most astonishingly intricate and PRECISE manner; to each separate muscle in it’s correct turn and at it’s PRECISE moment, to enable a surgeon to pick out the disease in tissue, cell by cell; and for an elephant to pick up a grain of rice with his enormous trunk.
Now, can we make a determination that electrical impulse, or more correctly; ‘electricity’ can be placed under our YAHWEH option? Well, it is certainly part of WHAT IS, so that is enough in itself to place it in this category. Also, as we have seen, the power of and within all life on earth is effectively this very institution, and without it, we will simply cease to exist in any form, which is certainly a second MAJOR reason to place it under our ‘YAHWEH’ option.
Clearly, there will be the odd religionist who will be furiously jumping up and down with great indignation over such an ‘audacious’ statement as above. For he is right now seeing his power base slipping away, as the ‘mysterious fear’ is being replaced with a glorious WHAT IS. However, there is a great deal more illumination to come in this seeking, which we will delve further into over our next few posts. Therefore our religionist friend might do well to wait and see what other offending illumination is soon to be witnessed before losing his kool.
The scientist on the other hand will effectively find little with which to argue - so far!
