If There Is No God…

By Herbert Vego

IN our coffee talk at Hotel del Rio, Iawyer Edwin R. Catacutan shared to me his “incursion into Christian theology” as discussed in his decade-old book Creation, Fall, and Redemption.

His book is one of the few books that can rightly be judged by its cover: a colorful telescope image of an outburst of Monocerotis, a star which is about 20,000 light years away from our sun, echoing the Bible verse: “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1).

Catacutan wondered how atheists could ignore the evidence of God’s creation as described in the Old Testament book of Genesis, which is about “the substantive law defining the individual’s rights and conditions of having and maintaining eternal life.”

The lawyer lauded Blaise Pascal, a 17th Century French mathematician for advocating what is now called “Pascal’s Wager,” a sort of betting on God’s existence.

“If there is no God,” Catacutan interpreted Pascal, “then no one is benefited; but if there is a God, the believer wins and the unbeliever loses.”

The lawyer believes that while the Bible does not explain but simply asserts confidently the creation of the heavens and the earth, they could not have always been there.

He cited quotations from famous physicists, including Paul Davies, who wrote that “the essential hypothesis – that there was some sort of creation – seems, from the scientific point of view, compelling.”

He would rather not opine on the so-called “fire of hell” that is widely believed to be the destination of non-believers, since the Bible itself has no adequate discussion on the matter.

“It’s probably my son Jason who has the answer,” he quipped about his late son Jason, “because he is now with the Lord.”

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MORE POWER, SERIOUS ON SAFETY ON THE JOB

MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power), Iloilo City’s sole electric distribution utility, has achieved a significant milestone in its commitment to workplace safety by being accepted as a member of the prestigious Safety Organization of the Philippines, Inc. (SOPI).

This membership signifies MORE Power’s dedication to fostering a culture of safety, health, and environmental protection within its operations.

SOPI, founded in 1959, is a leading organization advocating for safety, health, and environmental protection across various industries in the Philippines.

Its mission is to build a culture of safety as a way of life, promote and disseminate safety measures, educate and train individuals on best practices, develop comprehensive plans and programs to mitigate human suffering and economic losses, support legislation impacting safety, conduct research and studies, and provide technical assistance to stakeholders.

MORE Power, since its inception in February 2020, has observed a “zero accident program” (ZAP), which aims to achieve a workplace free from accidents, injuries, and incidents by identifying and addressing hazards, promoting a strong safety culture, and continuously improving safety practices.

The company has achieved a remarkable record of 1.9 million safe man-hours as of October 2024, demonstrating its commitment to creating a secure and healthy work environment for its employees.

“This membership in SOPI is a testament to MORE Power’s unwavering commitment to safety, health, and environmental protection,” said MORE Power President and CEO Roel Castro. “We are proud to join this esteemed organization and contribute to its mission of promoting a culture of safety across the Philippines.”

SOPI provides MORE Power access to resources, expertise, and best practices in safety, health, and environmental protection.

By participating in SOPI’s comprehensive training programs, MORE Power engineers and linemen derive safety skills and knowledge while exposed to risky working areas.