Update–A Cosmic Victory!

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“One man’s woo-woo, of course, is another’s deeply held belief system.” 
Julia Moskin (1*)

“I think we have a duty to maintain the light of consciousness, to make sure it continues into the future.” 
Elon Musk (2*)

Hello humans,

​As the microcosm I live in necessitates, I have started promoting my book and religious idea on the streets directly to the people. I have obtained the city’s permission to do so. Even after many years of conscientious effort, the first publishable review of my book had convinced me that this world’s unjust discrimination would just not end. Since I will always be “ugly” to them, in one way or another, I have decided to use the image of Pan or Faun as the chief spirit of my pen name & prophetic persona. 

Pan is a Classical Greek god of the wilderness and pastures, of flocks and herds. Also, in line with his mischievous nature, I have started wearing two types of masks during book promotions. One is that of Pan and the other is that of a goat or scapegoat. Since both masks have horns, many passersby miss out on all the other details and quickly judge me to be someone dressed like the devil or some lunatic scaring the normal people. But I dress up only as a scapegoat or Pan (the good or the ugly), not as the devil (the bad). I hope the image and brand of Yoda the Prophet will encourage people to think more broadly, think about alternatives and other possibilities before judging someone or interpreting something in this fast-paced world.

Personally, it is not easy to stand around and be thought of as a nutcase or demon, and it is not at all that helpful when promoting a new book, especially a religious one. But I believe in my strategy to create the much-needed buzz. It seems my passion for God’s house will consume me. Let’s see how it unfolds. After all, your prophet is the LADY’s suffering servant and can carry many social labels, heavy burdens, and people’s sins upon his broad shoulders (cf. Isaiah 53 & 50:4-10). 

               So, it was in such gruelling circumstances that the second review arrived earlier than expected. It was from Kirkus Reviews. It took me a few days to even process their professional and critical evaluation of my book. I am happy and thankful that it is fair enough. Neutral enough. The integrity of their report is good enough. The link to the whole review is available here. In short, they call the book:

“Immersive, providing readers with plenty of food for thought.…The blueprint for an energetic new religion—composed mostly of woo-woo and blather.”

Plus (+) Points
This is what they say in the review:

• A book that presents a new cosmological theology.
• Oraiah writes all of this with a profusion of narrative energy and a generous amount of quotation and allusion; the book is immersive, providing readers with plenty of food for thought.
• Oraiah adds an element of blasphemy to his work by constantly invoking Carl Sagan in the context of Cosmism. 
• Sagan’s book Cosmos (1980) is called “one of the sacred writings that is part of the Bible of the religion of Cosmism”—a statement that would have surely irked the rationalist atheist Sagan. 

However, I believe Sagan would have surely been pleased with my earnest efforts in advancing the rationalist theist view of the world.

Minus (−) Points

    Firstly, regarding the word “woo-woo” they use for my book, I say that the element of woo-woo or mystical or supernatural is necessary to synthesize a religion. And when science is at its core, a religion can be used as a social tool for the spiritual health and growth of a civilization. Religion doesn’t have to be at odds with science. As the physicist Brian Cox says to the podcaster Joe Rogan in this interview, it is okay to philosophize and theologize and creatively have supernatural beliefs as long as it operates within a scientific framework (3*).

Some might call my new beliefs as nonsense like the other religions’, but out of the many options available, Cosmism is the one that really aspires to give supernatural love, hope, and visions to people while standing on the shoulders of science and history. Cosmism is the religious model that is designed to change and evolve with scientific observations and developments while keeping its believers united and updated. Cosmism provides a common platform for the scientific, spiritual, and political minds to work together, inspire people with hopeful messages, and maintain healthy societies in a multiplanetary civilization. 

Even your favourite billionaire playboy and serial entrepreneur, Elon Musk, wishes there was a theology of curiosity. He has recently tweeted:

“A new philosophy of the future is needed. I believe it should be curiosity about the Universe — expand humanity to become a multiplanet, then interstellar, species to see what’s out there.…God would want us to see Creation…” (4*)

I know Cosmism is the answer and I hope it will become a viable option to others. The second book review has given me a flicker of hope in humanity and the gatekeeping media of Canada and US. I have done my best and drafted a crude blueprint for a new Space Age belief and philosophical system. Now my duty is to continue to boldly stand and speak out in my adoration of the Supersoul of Cosmos and to gather and form a capable, good-hearted founding team. The goal is to build further the structure of Cosmism into a world religion and a non-profit organization that is supported by its believers—people who find value in Cosmism and want to support its success through participation and donation. 

    Finally, regarding the word “blather,” I know that absurdism is a clear literary device in some pages. But that’s where the wit and wisdom of this gadfly also lie. That’s where the book’s “immersive” energy is hidden. That’s where “plenty of food for thought” is kept. Oh, what a joy to see them call it as blather! This messenger is rated R, after all.  

Cosmic blessings be upon you all,
Yoda Oraiah
Yoda The Prophet

REFERENCES:
1. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/dining/27yoga.html?pagewanted=1&8dpc
2. https://aeon.co/essays/elon-musk-puts-his-case-for-a-multi-planet-civilisation
3. https://youtu.be/dE3dqlFzDeg
4. https://medium.com/belover/elon-musk-proposes-a-new-religion-c01731a7dbbd