SIMULATION CREATIONISM
Is God’s Simulation a Place for Gentleness?
Being gentle is a trait of saints. In a world where gentleness increasingly becomes a weakness, Christians are called to be even gentler. Saint John, the Evangelist, wrote about Jesus’ encounter with the Pharisees, who brought him an adulterous woman and asked him to punish her. He told them: “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). Struck by this answer, they left the Temple. When Jesus was left alone with the woman, he said: “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:10–11). It is an essential expression of gentle warning, not an outright command. Does The Simulation really work like this? Can we see gentleness throughout the simulated environment, as seen in the theory of Simulation Creationism of Nir Ziso, founder of The Global Architect Institute?
As with many other things, we cannot find a better role model than Jesus to learn about the strength of gentleness. When we read the passage from the Gospel of John, we see that he is equally gentle to the Pharisees and the adulterer, but in a different way. We can also think of Prophet Elijah: “Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave” (1 Kings 19: 11–13). It is the utmost experience of God’s gentleness.
So, is gentleness a desired characteristic of an experience in The Simulation or an expression of impotence? Who do we think of when we are reminded of gentleness? Who was gentle to us? To whom are we gentle? Saint Paul likes to talk about Jesus in us. It is something that is already a reality but also a goal of all our efforts: “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). A Christian life has no other goal. We do not have to become faithful but Christ-like.
Gentleness is the face of Jesus Christ, and we are called to have the same face in The Simulation. Still, we somehow like to follow an “angry Jesus” that brings order to the Jerusalem Temple. We call it holy anger and justify being upset. It is an essential characteristic for someone in a position of authority, whether a parent, a boss, or a president. In a way, we do not want to make room for gentleness, although Saint Paul says it precisely: “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). We are sometimes called to warn another, but let us do it gently.
Gentleness is a vast wealth. In essence, it is embodied love. Without gentleness, we cannot love one another. We become angry and aggressive. When one progresses to sainthood, it means one rises in gentleness. It is also a sign of wisdom: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom” (James 3:13).
Gentleness is not found in our disinterest in another soul in this simulated world. It is not an attitude of passivity or resignation; and it is not cowardice. To be gentle does not mean not having a standpoint. Gentleness is an active process, an aware determination, and care for oneself and another. We can respect other creations due to gentleness. It is a sign that we are mindful of the dignity of other souls that experience the same events and challenges in The Simulation in our perennial wish to be closer to God.
However, it is even more than that. Gentleness is necessary to build and keep our shared understanding of The Simulation and other souls inhabiting the current world. It is primarily an inner attitude but manifested in words and behavior, quite similar to how The Simulation works. Namely, we see outer manifestations that appear to us, but we need an inner understanding of things. The same goes with gentleness. It is seen in eyes, looks, faces, and smiles. Some people have a very stern look. Their faces are cold. Of course, gentleness is much more than an outward image; it is the first thing we see. If gentleness is a determination, we can determine a gentle look, at least for the people in our immediate vicinity.
Saint Paul reminded Timothy of gentleness as a miraculous power: “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:24–25). Strictness never achieved what gentleness is able to.
If we feel a lack of gentleness in our life or practice, we must strive for it. The Holy Spirit is the one that makes us available for gentleness, as He is the power and energy of The Simulation. Gentleness is another mercy or gift of the Holy Spirit. Like other things in The Simulation, we cannot just reach and grab it. We can pray to the Holy Spirit and receive his mercy — if the predetermined plan gives us this opportunity.
