All Things Natural (aka An Argument for Natural Living)

A great irony grates at my heart. Namely, the distortion of our understanding of nature and all things natural. In contemporary society, (read mass-media, public education, huge swaths of health-care, etc). Natural Law, for instance, does not exist. Rights and such are merely the consequence of popular trend and environmental shifts. Nature exists only as the stuff of earth, no purpose, no essence, no design. Its whatever humankind hasn't destroyed. Therefore, in minds of those who prefer the natural route, all sorts of things are "natural consequences" and just part of nature. Really, the only "sin" is that thing that disrupts personal law, personal rights, personal plans, and personal preference. Then, there's the real big sins, like processed food and carbon emissions. How can we be so cruel to nature? To our bodies?

My mind is already reeling. Let's break this down a moment.
- Natural Law most definitely exists as our participation in the eternal law of God.
- Rights essentially safeguard our proper response and living out natural law. I have a right to be born once conceived, but not to kill. I have a right to property (dominion), but not to stealing, etc. We do not make them up, anymore than we make up the eyes ability to see.
- Nature is what makes something what it is: HUMAN nature. Dogs have a dog nature, trees a tree nature, etc. Human beings, however, are made in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, just because we're all part of nature, we are not equal in dignity (yes, you may read value).
- The fact that a majority rules or a consequence necessarily follows, does not make something natural. If we all willed for the sun to never set, it most definitely would still set. Just because someone gets drunk after drinking too much, doesn't mean that this is a truly natural thing to do.

So, I began to think, what is the obsession with doing things naturally. It seems there is either a heightened sense of "natural" or a complete disregard for health and well-being. For the latter, I suppose that is surrender to impulse, a white-flag in the battle for purpose, a blanket in which to hide and relinquish control. For the former, perhaps its a control issue. Once you throw God out the window (not literally of course), lets say, once you pretend God is not around, you're still left with His mark everywhere! Natural law follows you like the plague, and therefore that too must be squashed. In the end, I want to control even nature, under the pretext that I'm serving the greater good! (Examples abound, but I'm sure you can come up with a few on your own.)

Its an amazing thing, and should challenge us to think. That's really what I'm doing here, so I welcome all comments. Lets get the dialogue going!