Quotes from book
Calculating God

Calculating God

Robert J. Sawyer

Calculating God is a 2000 science fiction novel by Robert J. Sawyer. It takes place in the present day and describes the arrival on Earth of sentient aliens. The bulk of the novel covers the many discussions and arguments on this topic, as well as about the nature of belief, religion, and science. Calculating God received nominations for both the Hugo and John W. Campbell Memorial Awards in 2001.

“Learning to ignore things is one of the great paths to inner peace.”

Robert J. Sawyer book Calculating God

Source: Calculating God (2000), Chapter 14 (p. 137)

“There is no indisputable proof for the big bang," said Hollus. "And there is none for evolution. And yet you accept those. Why hold the question of whether there is a creator to a higher standard?”

Robert J. Sawyer book Calculating God

Source: Calculating God

“Still, you must know that the fear of death is irrational; death comes to everyone.”

Robert J. Sawyer book Calculating God

Source: Calculating God (2000), Chapter 25 (p. 235)

“Not wanting to die was another universal constant, it seemed.”

Robert J. Sawyer book Calculating God

Source: Calculating God (2000), Chapter 6 (p. 70)

“Sagan may not have believed in the God of the Bible, but he at least allowed the possibility of a creator.
Or did he? Carl was no more obliged to believe what he wrote in his sole work of fiction than George Lucas was required to believe in the Force.”

Robert J. Sawyer book Calculating God

Source: Calculating God (2000), Chapter 24 (p. 227)

“Must God be defined in a way that places him or her beyond the scope of science?
I’d always believed that there was nothing beyond the scope of science.
And I still believe that.
Where do you draw the line?
Right here. For me, the answer was right here.
How do you define God?
Like this. A God I could understand, at least potentially, was infinitely more interesting and relevant than one that defied comprehension.”

Robert J. Sawyer book Calculating God

Source: Calculating God (2000), Chapter 34 (p. 326)

“I do remember her favorite expression: the Lord works in mysterious ways.
Perhaps so. But I found it hard to believe he would work in shoddy, haphazard ones.”

Robert J. Sawyer book Calculating God

Source: Calculating God (2000), Chapter 17 (p. 165)

“You humans seem to have a profound capacity for ignoring obvious evidence.”

Robert J. Sawyer book Calculating God

Source: Calculating God (2000), Chapter 2 (p. 23)

“As one of my Jewish friends has been known to observe, the Jews who survived World War II were either now atheists or hadn’t been paying attention.”

Robert J. Sawyer book Calculating God

Source: Calculating God (2000), Chapter 14 (p. 140)

“I guess what it means is this: to be human is to be fragile. We are easily hurt, and not just physically. We are easily hurt emotionally, too. So, as you move through life, my son, try not to hurt others.”

Robert J. Sawyer book Calculating God

Source: Calculating God (2000), Chapter 21 (p. 204)

“I believe the creator may have a specific reason for wanting a universe that has life in it, and, indeed, as you say, for wanting multiple sentiences to emerge simultaneously. But it seems clear beyond dispute that the creator takes no interest in specific individuals.”

Robert J. Sawyer book Calculating God

Source: Calculating God (2000), Chapter 17 (p. 170)

“The Lord works in mysterious ways. Mrs. Lansbury had always said that. Everything happens for a purpose.
Such bull. Such unmitigated crap. I felt my stomach knotting. Cancer didn’t happen for any purpose. It tore people apart; if a god did create life, then he’s a shoddy workman, churning out flawed, self-destructing products.”

Robert J. Sawyer book Calculating God

Source: Calculating God (2000), Chapter 24 (pp. 230-231)

“I did learn one valuable lesson, though.
I learned that you can’t choose the ways in which you’ll be tested.”

Robert J. Sawyer book Calculating God

Source: Calculating God (2000), Chapter 7 (p. 77)

“And of me you ask which choice you should make?” said the translator’s voice.
“Yes,” I said.
There was the sound of rocks grinding, followed by a brief silence, and then: “The moral choice is obvious,” said the Wreed. “It always is.”
“And?” I said. “What is the moral choice?”
More sounds of rocks, then: “Morality cannot be handed down from an external source.” … “It must come from within.”
“You’re not going to tell me, are you?”

Robert J. Sawyer book Calculating God

The Wreed wavered and vanished.
Source: Calculating God (2000), Chapter 32 (p. 309; ellipsis represents a minor elision of description)

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