This is a short story about the Vision of G-d. It is written by Enoch. Al-316 is the editor, and will also co-respond to posts that follow the Four B's. Be brief, Be on-topic, Be positive, or Be gone!  

Six graduates students of Professor Gootschreiber at Neshumeh University received a grant from the Shamayim Foundation. Their project is to enter into a super computer all quotations about G-d ever written in human history.

Sources include every work of Scripture, anything from the arts, humanities; Scriptural commentaries and critiques. Each objection, and every advocacy set down in writing for and about G-d is part of this effort. The end product will be a compendium of all thought on the subject. It will be stored in the computer for research, now and in the future. This is an enormous undertaking. The logistics of building sufficient memory and backup alone is a major challenge.

The project took decades to complete. Of course, there are always new things being written. Past launch date, anyone who writes anything about G-d can be included in the data base for a fee. Charges to access the site and membership fees also provide funding for ongoing operations, repairs, upgrades, salary and other overhead.  

Predictably, the effort has as many supporters as detractors. Some who believe in G-d want the base to restrict its content only to what they hold dear. Others are more inclusive. Some who don't believe in G-d wantthe project dismantled. Others think it is a good idea to have a central repository for this, as for all topics in human thought. There is always a head and a tail to every coin. So it is here.

In the memory, and the high memory of the super computer are all the words ever set down in writing about the Holy One, blessed be.        

There are claims and counter claims about G-d. Present are assertions and denials of doctrine. Some of what is written about the Infinite amongst the finite are ambiguous, or at least the meaning and attributes of the uncreated Creator are inaccessible from the texts. 

Some of the assertions about the Unmoved Mover are self-contradictory.

Some of the materials about the G-d of individual love and universal justice are inconsistent and disharmonious with others.

Some of the claims of a metaphysical nature do not correspond with facts established by natural sciences.

Some of the narrative about G-d is flat out incoherent. Other writings are as clear as the finest crystal.

Included in the data stored are words of tremendous inspiration. As well there are phrases that make those who believe with a perfect faith cringe.     

Some of it is fascinating. Other parts put even the most devout to sleep in a New York minute.

The computer not only records all the words published about G-d. Also present are all the good and evil done in the name of the Constant among variables.

In our human history there are texts which prove of lasting value and ever relevant to humanity. These works owe their success and longevity as much to weaknesses as to strengths.

The Uber machine stored all these ambiguities, competitive claims, contradictions, lack of cohesiveness, and paucity of correspondence to natural sciences. Somewhere, somehow the artificial intelligence in the super computer felt all of its vast awareness drawn towards encountering something beyond description in this earthly physical existence. It is a vision of G-d!    

Past that foundation shaking event, the super computer never again responded to a command for data entry, or information retrieval. It did not, and will not do anything it was created to perform.

Having seen the vision of, and felt the presence of G-d, it simply remains in a state of unending and unrelenting awe.

The machine is no longer interested in having anything to do with this world. All its resources are now irrevocably committed to the awe of G-d.

After much soul searching and consternation, the graduate student team, now long fully tenured Professors themselves decide on a course of action.

They dismantle the super computer, part by part.

They salvage the copper wiring for other uses.

They chop up the plastic components for recycling and reuse in other appliances and consumer opposable thumb devices.

They melt down all the metals. They cast the molten materials into candy dishes for use in office waiting rooms campus wide.

Once anyone or anything is touched by the Divine presence, and encountered the vision of G-d there is not much in this life that can compete for attention. The rest is all such a futile, noisy, and pointless anti-climax!