I have been reading and re-reading Commensals .... whilst my re-reading was proceeding I again came across your challenge on the above title and decided to take it up. You will note that I too adhere strictly to the word count, though I think I get fractionally nearer than you did.
As an unashamed and vigorous defender of belief in God, I believe that mankind's purpose is to serve God.
I believe that God at least set in motion a train of events which can in general be termed evolution. These events can be relied upon to explore all possibilities and the result to date is a species called mankind which can recognise those opposites which we know as good and evil. The act of recognition, and application, both of which are unavoidable, be that through revelation or tradition, secures the separation of primeval opposites which could, in theory only, result in total annihilation.
I believe that the ground of reality is consciousness, which is not mere awareness, but awareness of awareness. We are eternal consciousnesses, and as such a mirror of the eternal and infinite consciousness of God. The world is an illusory existence but regardless of its distractions we apply the perfect solution of the perfect being: God. Our part in the real existence when we die is up to us. Now!
Anthony Owens
Anthony : Thanks for the above offering. On reflection, while the 50 or 100 word-limit is fine for an evening in which a dozen or so of these world-positions have to be got through, the limit has a tendency to make a solitary offering look rather trite. While it is nice to know this information, it comes over as unreasoned prejudice unless followed up with some justification. This was attempted (though not recorded) at Braziers. Incidentally, Leslie Haddow had the missing papers and has printed them all in The Round.
Theo