Causation in Building Evaluations
I began my career as a structural engineer, designing hundreds of buildings over the course of 19 years. Then I transitioned into the field of forensic engineering, where I analyze buildings to determine why things go wrong. For the past 14 years, I have focused on addressing three key questions:
- What is damaged?
- What caused the damage?
- What is needed to repair the structure?
If there's one thing I've learned, it's that everything has a cause. It may not always be known, but every event or thing has one, or even multiple causes.
If I approach a building with the knowledge that
- someone designed it under certain rules to resist outside forces
- someone built it with expertise,
- people have lived or worked in it
- forces have been placed on or in the building
then I have a chance to answer those questions correctly.
If I approach a building with a belief that there was no designer, there was no intellectual being behind making it and some things just happened without a cause then I have very little chance at answering the questions.
We need to approach every problem with the mindset that:
- there is a designer,
- there is an intelligent being behind the creation of order things
- if something is broken, it is broken because of a cause.
Mental Health and Causation
Problems with mental health and interpersonal relationships are no different than problems with buildings. A human being’s mental condition and physical condition can certainly be complex, but there are also simple universal needs that are common to everyone.
If we asked a car mechanic to give us a list of what is needed to be in good working order for a car to run smoothly, he would say it is more than just gasoline. It’s a gas tank, a fuel line, a fuel injector, a cylinder, a piston, a spark plug, a driveshaft, axles, bearings, wheels, a steering wheel, etc..
Wouldn’t it be nice to ask the manufacturer to provide a list of everything that’s needed to be in good working condition for a smooth ride.
There are so many different types of doctors. They’re like car mechanics. Some specializing in certain things. They basically try to do the same thing as car mechanics. They diagnose and fix problem areas. We have doctors of the physical body and doctors of the mind and they both do amazing things. They should be consulted when troubles come.
Doctors of the Soul
Unfortunately, the doctors of our souls have not progressed in knowledge at the same rate as the doctors of the physical body, the doctors of the mind, or the scientists who have studied the physical laws governing the world around us.
It wasn’t long ago, and it may be true today, that certain “spiritual leaders” believe the horn of a rhino had magical powers to heal. Look what that got us - no white rhinos! How wrong was that? An outcome that many would say was bad. At least I would.
Although many have made incorrect assumptions about spiritual matters, the fact remains that countless people, both in the past and present, have concluded that there is a god or higher power behind creation. This is, in itself, a form of evidence. Furthermore, many brilliant individuals that have contributed significantly to science throughout history have been believers in a higher power.
Science continues to support intelligent design because of the order that is constantly being found in creation.
For example, our planet is perfectly positioned at the right distance from a sun of the ideal size, at the correct angle, and with the right rotational spin to create seasons that support the growth of life. Considering the elements and the chemistry involved. The poles are too cold and the equator is too hot for life to thrive without this balance. Doesn’t this more than suggest the possibility of an intelligent designer? What are the chances of such a precise setup happening elsewhere in space?
It’s only a very small percentage of the population throughout all of history that did not believe in a creator. It is estimated to be as low as 1-3%.
Teaching of Our Youth
If we teach our youth that life and the universe are the result of random chance, they will believe that human existence is accidental and without inherent meaning. This belief will shape their worldview, making them feel insignificant and disconnected from any sense of greater purpose. This kind of teaching, especially without providing a balanced perspective on meaning and value, has caused harm to society by undermining people's sense of purpose and self-worth. If we came from a mud puddle, and our ancestors are apes, how would we view ourselves and the people around us? Who can condemn you for steeping on a mud puddle.
The phrase "the theory of" is essential when discussing ideas like the Big Bang or evolution, because it acknowledges that these are scientific theories, not established facts. Presenting them as unquestionable truths without clarification only deepens the confusion and damages one's sense of value in life.
To clarify, the Theory of Evolution as I was taught long ago no longer addresses how life originated. It has shifted to focus solely on explaining how life evolved. Apparently, the theory no longer attempts to explain how life arose from non-living matter, a topic for which there is still no definitive answer. Except, of course, the simpleton’s explanation that there is a higher being responsible for the creation of life, which we can’t accepts, so the only intellectual answer would be to say it is complex and we don’t know at this point in time.
However they want to redefine it, the Theory of Evolution teaches that life is random and without inherent meaning. This, if fully accepted, contributes to feelings of hopelessness, isolation, and disconnection. These emotional states are strongly linked to higher rates of suicide and violence in societies.
Therefore, the teaching that life is random and without inherent meaning is directly connected to the increase in suicide and violence in "advanced" societies. When people are taught that they have no greater purpose or significance, it undermines their mental and emotional well-being, leading to feelings of despair, isolation, and disconnection. This lack of purpose contributes to higher rates of suicide and violence.
What is Needed for Health
Like a car manufacturer, wouldn’t it be nice to ask the creator for a list of things that are needed to be in good working order for a human being.
It’d be nice to ask God for a list of all the things that we need in order to have a healthy body and a healthy mind. I think that the list might include the following:
Healthy food, clean water, clean air, clothing, shelter, purpose, work, love, exercise, companionship, belonging, rest, hope, and faith.
Yes, faith. Faith would include believing that there is something beyond us that brings order and purpose for everything including the individual.
We’re told in public schools it is not necessary to believe in god, but is that true? Has that been tested with time? Is the human mind fine rejecting the notion of god? Do we have supportive evidence to conclude this? I’m not sure we do. Are we now reaping what we have sown?
Knowing what is essential for a human, we could show kindness to another by recognizing a deficiency in the life of another and simply attending to that need. That would be a kind thing to do.
Of all the actions we can do, is kindness not the single most important thing we can do to another. Is there any greater thing that we can do?
Kindness starts with seeing a person and understanding their condition but not stopping there. Kindness is either a word or a deed that builds up, supports, or encourages another person.
We really have no idea what a small act of kindness can do. A small action can result in a ripple effect that reaches far beyond our initial action.
This is why I end every email with the quote. There is no such thing as a small act of kindness.
This is why I’m running a marathon. There’s a problem in our society. It has become too negative, too combative, and too divisive. We can’t expect to reap good outward actions when we feed negativity, separation, and anger into society. The constant negativity in the news is contributing to the unhealthy mental conditions of our youth.
We need to practice kindness and it’s very simple to do.
Why include God?
Answer: Because every person I have ever learned something of great value from has believed in some form of God and the evidence is overwhelming that there is order in the world I see. If that’s not evidence, I’m not sure what is. Our world needs kindness. That happens when we look beyond ourselves. That happens when we see value in others and a purpose for our lives.