Stage directions: [8 AM in the morning, Dr. Richard is sitting on an easy chair in the front porch of a house and is reading something on his tablet PC. There is a pot of coffee on the table in front of him and a single cup next to it. The name plate on the main door says Dr. Richard Sach, Ph.D. in Philosophy. Emeritus Professor. In walks a gentleman from the gate and starts talking with him and introduces himself as Dr. Shepherd from Chicago University’s empirical science department].
Dr. Shepherd: (shaking hands) Hello Dr. Richard, this is our first meeting and I have come all the way from Chicago just to pacify my anxiety over the recent blog of yours.
Dr. Richard: (Smiling and frowning simultaneously) You mean my latest controversial blog which has the title “God is nowhere: Atheism is only salvation from false beliefs”.
Dr. Shepherd: (Smiling back) Yes, exactly, I see that this blog article of yours has sparked a lot of controversy on internet and even the newspapers.
Dr. Richard: This is strange that you have come for this at this time. See I have expressed my views on the basis of my philosophy that atheism is the best way to stay away from getting befooled.
Dr. Shepherd: I have read that, just wanted to know how you came upon the conclusion that God did not exist at all.
Dr. Richard: (Raising eyebrows) Strange to hear that from an empirical science scholar, how you can believe something which cannot be proven to exist via any science?
Dr. Shepherd: Before we start the conversation, why don’t you have your coffee during the time..it will make you calm and poised. I don’t drink it so I will have a glass of water.
[Dr. Richard pours himself the coffee in his cup and presents a glass of water to Dr. Shepherd].
Dr. Richard: (Sipping from his cup of coffee) Is there any empirical science to prove that God exists?
Dr. Shepherd: No, but is there a science which proves he doesn’t?
Dr. Richard: Philosophy has a branch called ontology which relies on existence of only those things which can be associated with the material world.
Dr. Shepherd: I agree, but philosophy also has a branch called epistemology which says that any theory regarding a particular subject can only be made if a person has true knowledge of it.
Dr. Richard: (Sipping from his cup of coffee) Yes, I know, so what?
Dr. Shepherd: Then if you are an atheist and you deny God’s existence, how can you put a theory about the existence of God when you don’t know about him all?
Dr. Richard: (finishing off his coffee, bemused) So am I wrong in stating the rationale from philosophy when I have spent my life in studying it?
Dr. Shepherd: Actually, you are already claiming about God being non-existent when you have not read or researched anything about him. This is causes fury in his believers.
Dr. Richard: I realise that, I was making a statement on a subject on which I lack complete knowledge.
Dr. Shepherd: (Smiling) Exactly,you assumed your cup to be full when it was always empty.
[Suddenly Dr. Richard sees a lamb nibbling the flowers of a small plant in his porch and he looks at Dr. Shepherd.]
Dr. Shepherd: (Smiling gracefully) Oh, he must have come inside following me as I walked in, Okay it’s time for me to leave. Think whether you are a true atheist or an agnostic who wants to know more about the God and then decide things.
[Dr. Richard turns towards the lamb and sees that he was not there, the door was open and even Dr. Shepherd was gone. He goes back to his chair and then looks at the coffee cup which was full.]
Dr. Richard: [tears in his eyes] So, I earlier took it full when it was empty and know I find it full!! May be now I know something about him!!!
