Philosophy of Religion - Research Paper Example

s Religion and Theology Believing in God is one of the most ancient practices. Since the ages when men lived their lives as cave people, they believed in God. The movement of heavenly bodies, the starts, the sun the moon, the meteoroids, eclipses, burning of fire, thunder and lightning were all inexplicable to them. They found their own way of explaining- that some supernatural force is acting on them and they called it “God”. The belief was nothing but their fear of the unknown, the dark and uncertainty. This belief s continued till date. With gradual passage of time, people differed in opinions, resulting in birth of different religions, thereby giving rise to the norms of rituals and sacrifice (Roehlkepartain, 202). Concept of GOD Not many of us can answer properly what God actually means to them. The definition of God has widely varied across the globe from time to time. Regardless of nationality, religion and race, perhaps the greatest debate is whether God exists or not. It has been found out that some people believe in existence of God, they cannot identify Him. Some can identify God in differ forms, deities or elements but cannot find it difficult to relate or believe. While some others totally disbelieve in plurality of God, some people deny the total existence of “God”. To them, it is some supreme force that has created the universe and as the source of life in it (Remos 33-34). A further division of views can be made between people who do and do not believe that God transcends and present among worldly beings (Remos 34). Perception of God: Monotheistic and Polytheistic views Broadly, all the worldly religions can be divided into two distinct categories. First comes the ones who believe in oneness of God, or the monotheistic. Then comes polytheistic, or the ones who believe in plurality of forms of God. The ancient religions like the ones of Israel and Egypt were monotheistic religions (Allen 72). But it is found that, even within one single religion, be it monotheistic or polytheistic, purity is not followed, that is, within a monotheistic religion polytheistic features can be found. Christianity is n apt example of this. Bible supports the existence of “God, the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit.” (Remos 33) Some major religions like Islam and Jewish are strictly monotheistic, while religions like Hinduism supports polytheistic views. One finds numerous Gods and Goddesses, Demigods and even spirits, in various forms and avatars. In Hinduism, each of these Gods is supposed to serve different purposes. Worship of these individual Gods contains monotheistic characteristics as many people have devotion for one particular God only. In this sense, Hinduism can also be regarded as a mixture of both monotheisticism and polytheisticism. Views on Deity It is the necessity to worship God. For thousands of years different religions have been teaching men to worship God. The difference lies only in mode of worship. In this context it is important to envisage the concept of God as a finite and non- finite being. While worshipping, it is the subjective and not the objective feelings that gets importance. While worshipping a deity, the finite firm of God is being addressed. But in practice, it is the infiniteness that is being worshipped. Maxmuller has coined this contradictory feature as henotheism. Worship of the Vedic Gods is its apt example. However, it has been argues that some Gods were invoked during certain specific times for serving some specific purposes. This does not support the view of worshipping the infinite form. Whereas on one hand, God is worshipped as an absolute omnipotent eternal being, it is also worshipped in form of deities. Here are question of plurality pops up, as some religion s support envisioning of God in one type of Deity while some others in a cluster of Deities. These conflicts, denial, differences and disagreement continue in their own way, and common people continue to worship deities in their own way. They have modified and rescheduled the set norms of worshipping according to their own convenience (Masih 92). Modern Times: Ultimate Reality With evolution and advent of newer technologies, blindfolded belief in God is getting reduced. Though scientific inventions and geographical explorations have enables man to find solutions to most of his questions. However there are still some that remains as mysteries. But people still have faith in greatness of God, just to find explanations for miracles. Modern people worship God more to provide solace to their tormented souls- for some it is nothing more than spending some time to explore their own selves. Rituals and ceremonies have less important aspects and devotion have become more important. Among younger generations are comparatively less devoted. One of the prime reasons might be that they are confused about numerous conceptions which are contradictory yet widely accepted (Evens 34). Pantheism, Dualism, and Monism Pantheism, Dualism, and Monism are all forms of mysticism. Often people claim that they have formed communion with God. These experiences, rather interpretations are segmented as Pantheism, Dualism, and Monism. The pantheistic view comes first. The pantheistic view supports that “God and the World” are identical. The word ‘world’ implicitly indicates only a part of world, more precisely the inner soul of the mystic. Therefore, a pantheistic claims that his inner persona is the residence of God. One limitation of this view is that, though it speaks of the world, the universe and God being one and the same Being, it holds Gods to me more powerful, more supreme force. The Creator always surpasses his creation. Pantheism is thus “identity in difference” (Home 27). Dualists oppose this view. It worships God as a supreme yet secular Being. That is to say God is unique and individual and cannot be associated with anything in this world. Religions like Judaism, Christianity and Islam are based on this principle. This view deliberately maintains a distance between the Creator and his creation, emphasizing that at no time, God is associated with generalities or unworthiness. He is a separate entity and aloof. However, its limitation accounts to the fact that dualistic view does not indicate the nature of God. It insists that God is supreme because it is God (Home 27). Monism denies the existence of any other being except one. It holds that there is no separate entity such as God or the World. They are the one and the same, having a single dimension. However, extreme monism initiates the problem of solipsism as well as Cartesian problem (Home 28- 29). Conclusion To the believers, God is the ultimate truth. He is present everywhere. He is all powerful and has the capacity to ward off people’s sufferings and sorrows. Therefore, worshiping Him is necessary. Worshipping God has become an integral part of our lives, so deeply rooted in out culture and civilization that we cannot simply ignore it. God the only one on whom we have depend and hope that He will never fail us and that all the hardships we are having are nothing but the results of our misdeeds and that He is taking test of us which we need to pass. References Evens, C. Stephen Philosophy of Religion: Thinking About Faith. US: InterVarsity Press, 1985. Print. Roehlkepartain, Eugene C. The Handbook of Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence. California: SAGE, 2006. Print. Allen, Grant The Evolution of the Idea of God: An Inquiry Into the Origin of Religions, US: Cosimo, Inc, 2007. Print. Home, James R. Beyond mysticism. Ontario: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 1978. Print. Lemos, Ramon M.. A Neomedieval Essay in Philosophical Theology. US: Lexington Books, 2001. Print. Masih, Y. Introduction To Religious Philosophy, India: Motilal Banarsidass Publications, 1991. Print. Read More