A Young Doubter’s Simple Theological Perspective Examined Philosophically
A Young Doubter’s Simple Theological Perspective Examined Philosophically
Now, I am expectantly staring at this blank paper, as if wishing my pen would act on its own to do the job for me; however, the paper just stares back at me blankly. This time, I will meditate through exercising my thinking, doubting, and analyzing skills up to their limitations. I will exert full efforts in attempting Rene Descartes1’ concept of doubting and philosophizing, and then I’ll endeavor to resolve the doubts and questions that had arisen. I will try to doubt every prejudice and preconceived belief I have in mind, leaving no trace of bias and impartiality behind. Honestly, a beginning “doubter”, I found most if not all of the Philo 10 readings quite confusing and to which I am totally unfamiliar to.
I grew up always being told and reminded by my elders of what is good and what is otherwise, of what act is right in God’s eyes and what is not. Since childhood, I have been attending worship services religiously that I could even count my absences in my fingers. One was when I was diagnosed of having an acute tonsillitis-pharyngitis, one when my grandfather died, one when Mama passed away, one when my youngest a-week-old sibling died, and the rest I have forgotten, an early sign of Alzheimer’s, as noticed by my Philo 10 professor. When I came to high school, I studied at a ministerial academy exclusive to our religion. Although the usual secondary education subjects are also taught to us, there are additional subjects like the ministerial lessons and a foreign language elective (which will be useful to us if we continue to college if ever we would be destined abroad after). However, I ended up here in UP. But I don’t have any feeling of regret, though I wonder if I feel the same way upon taking up Philo 10. Yet there’s no doubt that this subject helped broaden my critical thinking skills and stimulated my mind to be “freer” than ever before.
Moreover, I daresay that I am a man of scientific knowledge and reason, but with keen and tight grasp in my faith, so as not to go astray. So please forgive me if I cite some necessary Bible verses in the body of this philosophical paper; just like how Anselm2, a famous philosopher-theologian, used the Scriptures to support his claims. And I must admit that I don’t have much references too because most if not all of the content of this paper is solely first-hand information (e.g. observations). Still, I can confidently say that this paper is, in a way, philosophical, since it mainly deals with metaphysical issues that concern metaphysical entities and attributes such as God and Salvation.
Let me begin my brain storming at the very concept of good and bad. In my early childhood, I always thought that all the people in the world are cleanly divided into good and bad. And of course, I always tried my best to be classified into the good bracket. From abiding legal laws, to devotedly obeying the Ten Commandments, to trying to be a gentleman, up to the deeds with the tiniest sense, like avoiding killing an ant just for fun, in other words, I tried my best to be a good boy. I guess my basis for this sort of classification was this verse of the Bible, if you’ll let me paraphrase it: “How could you mix light and darkness, oil and water, and Christ and the devil?”
I know it’s an unfair taxonomy, especially that, for me, only the ones who belong to my religion will be saved on the Judgment Day3 (Revelations 20:11-15). But I need not declare the name of my religion for the simple aim to protect it and my self as well.
When I was a child, I even imagined a Venn Diagram that cleanly divides the people in the world (see Appendix, Fig. 1). I know one may say that it is absurd; yes, I know, it’s a child’s conception. I think this might have been one of the reasons why I don’t have much friends, it’s like a sort of isolation and an invisible wall, I may say.
Anyway, let’s proceed to the doubting process. Doubt religions. Doubt the Bible. Doubt theos. Doubt the philosophers themselves. Doubt everything, everyone. Leave no trace of bias behind. Be doubtful. Be incredulous. Be skeptical.
I remember one of my professors in my first semester here in UP said something that disturbed my mind a lot; if I’m not mistaken, she just read it in some sort of book. “If religion will be removed, we have a high chance to achieve world peace,” she said smoothly. This made me think hard because, for me, religion and morality is somehow, in one way or another, interlocked and inseparable. So if there’s no religion, I think people will do evil things more deliberately and hastily. This brings me back to the article I have read: Plato’s Euthyphro4. Socrates’ question was this: “Is an act right because it is loved by the gods or is it loved by the gods because it is right in itself?” This question bothered me, too; it made me think a lot, mainly because the question itself is confusing. But I soon get it and here’s my response to Socrates: First of all, I personally believe on only one true God5 (I Timothy 2:5; I Corinthians 8:6), so that makes some difference. But I promised to withdraw all my personal beliefs at the moment for the sake of doubting! Analyze. I just think that Socrates’ question rests on a fallacy called false dilemma—the question is assuming that there are only two choices to choose from. I must admit that I myself could not satisfactorily answer that question at the spur of the moment. In fact, I would like to ask it to a religious leader on some time, though I know that there is a high possibility that I would be hastily accused as “erehe” in Filipino. Remember that we are forewarned of false sciences and knowledge, as well as sham prophets, they might say. Perhaps an act’s piety and being loved by God take place at the same time; or the deontological stance that piety is determined if there is goodwill6 and not necessarily because the act is loved by God or otherwise.
Going back to my former professor’s statement—that terminating religion would probably cause world peace—I may say that that is the most absurd claim that I had ever, ever heard. If there’s no religion, how can man achieve his much-dreamed salvation? Doubt. Well, not everyone believes in Judgment Day7 (Revelations 20:11-15); and the “believing” population is even divided into different versions on how man can obtain salvation. Again, please let me reflect my early childhood years when I clearly thought that my religion is the most practical and “safest” one. Why? Because the other “Christian” religions claim that one just needs to believe in God and have faith in Christ and he’ll be saved from hell. While others say that man just needs to obey all His commandments and live a “good” and decent life and he’ll go to heaven. (Here exists another difference because the other beliefs say that after death, the soul is immediately transported either to heaven, hell, or the man-invented purgatory [Sorry for the term, I just can’t resist. Even my Geology1 professor who proclaimed that he has no religion said that this sort of “third destination” was “invented” by a Council as a threat to people during the Dark Ages when only few people attend masses and pray]. Anyway, my own firmly-standing belief is that there is a Day of the Lord or Judgment Day that will come “as a thief comes at night”8 (I Thessalonians 5:2) which means that it is highly unexpected (well, for most people, but not for those who are anticipating it—(I don’t mean to be impartial, rude or offensive whatsoever) but those are only the rightful ones who belong to our faith. So in a child’s thinking, it is wisest to think that my religion is a “safe and sure” choice; because whichever the beliefs is correct, in the end, I will still be saved! Whether the right one is others’ belief of just trusting God and accepting Christ as your Lord, or another’s belief of just living a good and decent life, or even my own belief that my own religion is the one that will only be saved, any of those be true, I will still inherit God’s salvation! So, in my childhood mind, it’s the safest, most practical and wisest belief. I believe it’s in Filipinos’ nature to be “sigurista.” And that’s the thing I must doubt now. Doubt, for the sake of this philosophical paper, for the sake of finding the truth; so that after completing this essay, I must able to point out the genuine truth. Okay. Perhaps the concept of “salvation” and “heaven” is constructed in relation to man’s needs—namely, the security or safety need. If one will look at Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (see Appendix, Fig. 2), he will find out that one of man’s most important needs is the security or safety needs, just next to physiological needs. To clinch the point, the spiritual concept of “salvation”, for most people, provides the highest form of safety feeling; that even when a person dies, he is calm, having made sure and secured that he’ll be saves or he’ll go to heaven. If a man, however, has not obtained the most basic and important need, which are the physiological needs such as food and sleep, he is likely not to pay any attention nor exert any effort on the upper or higher forms of needs like the safety and even the “heaven” concept. I think that’s why, especially in the Philippine context, most people branded as “halang ang bituka/kaluluwa” and “basagulero”, who do not care for their part in heaven and insist on doing illegal and unethical deeds that will cause them negative effects, are those who cannot afford the cost of living.
That kind of need may be the reason why, when people get into troubled and unpleasant situations, they are likely to call upon God by exclaiming “Oh my God!” or “Diyos ko!”—God being a sort of Supreme Protector that gives the “believers” feelings of hope, security, safety, protection, and guidance.
One thing I wonder much about the concept of “heaven” is its exact location. Is it in the earth’s atmosphere? In the clouds? At the outer space perhaps? But these will contradict most people’s belief of the omnipresence of God! My own belief is that the Holy City will come the same day of the Judgment. However, I wonder where is Christ now? He is believed to go up into heaven. But where exactly there? I will not continue elaborating this issue because this will just lead me to confusion and perplexity. Anyway, philosophy is focused more on giving questions rather than answers9, remember?
Another thing dubitable concerning the issue of salvation is the “hell” concept. Doubt. It serves as a huge threat to mankind as a payment for their sins and wrongdoings10 (Romans 3:23, 6:23), the so-called second death11. But likewise to my question to heaven, where exactly is hell at this moment? And does it already exist now? Is it at the earth’s core—the hottest part of earth? Or outer space, too? In my religion’s belief, the lake of fire and burning sulfur will be generated a thousand years after Christ’s second return here on earth, which is our Salvation Day. But still, most people say that at this moment, there exists a diabolic being called Satan, Devil, or Demon who tempts us to commit sins, since even Christ himself was thrice tempted by the Devil12 (Matthew 4:1-11). So where is that Being? On the core of earth (possibly the hottest place ever in earth)? On Ludwig Feuerbach13’s language, we ought to accept that the Demon exists simply because we conceive it. Ah…maybe he’s omnipresent too! But that’s absurd! That attribute gives him of equal state of Being to the Supreme Being, the Creator who is omnipotent or all-powerful. Analyze. Yes, maybe the Satan is the one deceiving me at this precise moment, confusing my thoughts. In this small room, I’m apparently alone, yet I’m unsure if other Beings perceive me now. Apart from God, perhaps the Devil is also a universal perceiver, I suppose; and he’s the one responsible in the perplexity I’m experiencing now.
Moreover, I even read Jean-Paul Sartre’s play, No Exit, and Jessica Zafra’s Inferno. These fictional works both demonstrate different “creative” possibilities of what hell could possibly be, very different from the common belief and conception of hell with lakes of fire, torture chambers, and red-hot pincers. Doubt. I really think that there must be a worse punishment of God than simply physical pain and torture. Sinners deserve more. And maybe that is also a reason why some people do not care whether they would go to hell—because it is no more than just physical torment! On Sartre’s play, hell is portrayed as mental torture; you are being tortured, in one way or another, by other people in hell mentally, emotionally, and psychologically. Another thing I wonder concerning the “hell” issue is its span of time. It is a “never-ending” torment, they say. At the same respect, it is also recognized as the second death14 (Revelations 21:8). Hence, it’s absurd! How can hell be never-ending if it is the second death, or “end” in other words?
However, if I will just simply deny the existence of such heaven and hell, then I would also be forced to altogether deny the Bible’s validity, authenticity, and truthfulness. And that has the most absurdity! Doubt. Okay, there are things I wonder concerning the Bible. One is its contemporary usage. Some “preachers” read verses but taking it out of its context that usually changes the verses’ meaning and interpretation a lot. The implication of this problem may be seen during Bible lessons, the “preachers” read the Scriptures as if its writers is talking directly to this preachers’ audience-listeners. While in fact, specifically in the books of the New Testament, the apostles who wrote the books (letters, they are) are specifically writing to particular people at that time15. With humor, I wonder it is really unethical to read letters that are not intended for you; while the religious leaders read these letters of the apostles in public. Isn’t that unethical? I don’t have a clue. I know it’s a ridiculous and a bit nonsensical thought.
Doubt. Another thing I am wondering regarding the Bible is its concept of “dreams.” God was said to be communicating directly to men through dreams. Joseph, for instance, was instructed to wed Mary and was assured of her purity16 (Matthew 1:20), in spite of the apparent fact that she was already pregnant. On the other hand, nowadays, considering the growing technology that makes our culture more scientific and materialistic, the ancient notion that God spoke directly to men was pretty much dismissed. A man who claims that he has talked to God or Christ through dreams is now considered either making it up, or just having hallucinations and imaginations, or simply insane. Dreaming is defined today as “an electro-biological processing of the brain in which our memories and impressions are sifted in an apparently random and purposeless fashion”17. I am wondering now whether God’s way of communicating to us really changes through time.
Relative to this issue, it is also clear in the Bible that God talk to men directly through “words.” In fact, many verses of the Scriptures were written as direct quotes of God, as if the writers themselves actually heard God speak such statements word for word. I again wonder whether God’s ability to talk to man directly through words had already vanished now.
In the Bible, at times when God was not able to talk directly to man, He sent angels as His messengers. I believe that this concept dates back to the ancient Greece, specifically evident in their mythology. Hermes was considered the messenger of the gods. What is noticeable is that he was said to have an amazing speed and wings that resemble those of an angel’s. A picture of Hermes is now the trademark of the leading local drugstore.
Other beings I wonder about that are written in the Scriptures are dragons and flying horses. We definitely know that these are just mythological creatures. And we must remember William Clifford’s instruction not to “believe anything upon insufficient evidence.”18 I still don’t get Ludwig Feuerbach’s concept of existence19, because now I can conceive such beings as dragons and flying horses; but does that mean immediately that there are really such beings?
Another concept I wonder regarding the Bible is the creation of the Moon. It is clearly written in the book of Genesis 1:16 that on the third day, God created the moon, together with the sun20. This directly contradicts the scientific fact that the moon is a by-product of the earth’s mantle millions of years ago when a meteor crashed down into the earth’s surface21. Another thing I doubt is that how could the writers of the book of Genesis possibly saw or know that and transcript it accordingly, when in fact they’re not yet existing then! Others would surely argue that the Bible’s writers were simply made instruments and that the Bible is, after all, the words of God. Yes, the Holy Scriptures may indubitably be the Words of God, but it is also certain that they are writings of men too. I do not assert that the Bible is irrational; it’s just some of its components that I wonder about. Anyways, even the scientific community could not provide, until this time, a hard proof regarding life’s origin. The “Primordial Soup Theory” failed on the last and final stage of forming life. Still, I believe, there are other ways of acquiring “true knowledge” apart from modern science.
Furthermore, I myself know the reasons why we must trust the Holy Bible. Basically, most if not all of the prophecies written in the Bible is true and had taken place already and is now happening, except of course the Judgment Day, which is the last significant event to occur. Let me enumerate some prophecies I know that have been fulfilled.
Long time ago, it has been argued and debated if the Earth’s shape is flat or round. But as early as the book of Isaiah is written, it has been there that the earth is round—“circle of the earth”22 is the exact phrase (Isaiah 40: 22). But one may argue that the earth is neither flat nor circle, but an “oblique spheroid.” I wonder whether the early philosophers themselves know that such a shape exist. Besides, remember that shapes are arbitrary and artificial.
There are prophecies that show signs before the end of earth would come to pass: First, in Matthews 24:3, 33, 6-823:
‘As Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?” “When you see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you aren’t troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are the beginning of birth pains.” ’
It is not hidden to us that the said “famines, plagues, and earthquakes” are indeed evidently happening nowadays. The battle against countries and kingdoms took place during the world wars. And there are even verses of the Bible that predicted the weaponry and war vehicles that were used in the said world wars. If I am to paraphrase the passages, it appears that the war aircrafts and planes were described as “very fast birds zooming through the air” and the war vehicles as “horses that shoot fire.”
The latest prophecy of the Bible that I know which happened recently is the “powerful earthquake” that brought tsunamis to five Asian countries last 2004, taking thousands of human lives. Yes, it was foretold in Revelations 11:13-1524 (see Appendix, Fig. 3, the front page of Philippine Daily Inquirer25, please also notice the Text on the back page). But what is bothering here is that this prophecy is said to be the last to happen before the second coming of Christ.
The above-mentioned prophecies that eventually came to pass just prove the genuineness and veracity of the Holy Scriptures.
I have read an essay entitled as “The Secrets of the Shopping Mall.” I then realized that the so-called “secrets” of both shopping malls and cinemas are also applicable to houses of worship or chapels and temples. The said secrets are as follows: first, it is evident that every church is “enclosed.” Those thick walls psychologically separate it from the outside and create the special domain within its embrace. This enclosure makes its own special world with its own special rules and reality. Another secret mentioned in the said essay is that chapels are somehow “protected”—no noise or fumes. This protection hinders the natural world to intrude, since there’s no rain or snow inside to be bothered to, no excessive heat or cold that may just distract attentions and meditations. Worship edifices are also “controlled.” Lightings and ventilations are regulated for solemnity. I just shared these ideas to show that our ordinary houses of worship are built intelligently to sustain their dwellers’ needs.
Okay. Let’s resume to the process meditating. The last issue I am going to discuss and evaluate is the concept of praying. As a child, I had always been instructed to pray every time possible—before every meal, before leaving our house, before going to bed, and before taking academic examinations. I was told that praying is the only way for men to communicate to God, 24/7, free of charge. When I grew up, I noticed that some religious leaders pray excessively emotionally. Well, when attending to worship services, I shed tears while praying; however, I find it odd and “O.A.” for others leading the prayers who weep too hard, specifically some “preachers.” At first, I thought it is an ad misrecordiam fallacy. But then, I realized that a prayer is not an argument after all! Then why do some people become too emotional while in prayers? Perhaps it’s what Aristotle is pertaining to in “Ars Rhetorica26,” that there are three factors of persuasion, viz. ethos, logos, and pathos. So they’re trying to persuade God? On biblical arguments and doctrines, there is no doubt that these factors of persuasion are used. The preachers’ character or ethos is absolutely needed to be strong as perceived by their audience, as well as their logos or way of reasoning, I suppose. Doubt. However, I’m wondering what the use of pathos in religious lectures is, especially on prayers. This makes me think that praying is somehow a sort of “psychological” conditioning of the mind, with the aim no less than to provide the person feelings of security, safety, guidance, protection, and hope.
However, if I will accept this dogma, then I ought to deny prayers’ worth and effectiveness—which is insane! Allow me to narrate some of my personal experiences concerning the act of praying. One night, when I was about six years old, I had a nightmare, so horrible I was awoken by it. I sat up at my bed and told my mom what happened. She reminded me that I have forgotten to say my prayers. I then realized that she was quite right, so I immediately prayed as solemnly as possible. After that hideous childhood experience, I had never had a nightmare ever again.
On January 2003, my grandmother and I had our “panata” or series of devotional prayers for one whole week, as she would be joining GMA7’s “K! The One-million-peso Video-Oke Challenge.” Fortunately and with God’s help, she won almost half a million pesos (Remember to subtract the 20% tax, though)! We solely account this blessing, of course, to that week’s “panata.”
Another experience I personally encountered is a very tragic, horrible vehicle-related accident (For further information regarding this, the reader may opt to see Appendix, Text 2, my personal narrative of the said accident). I remember that while I was at the emergency room, I closed my eyes and prayed to God to spare my life. And He evidently did, as I am still able to write my thoughts now and, most of all, able to enjoy life’s blessings, whether it be as great as getting a 1.0 in my least liked subject or as crucial as being able to breathe and think clearly. These personal experiences do prove not only the effectiveness of prayers but also God’s guidance and protection.
In this philosophical paper, I was able to raise my doubts and hesitations that were bothering my mind at times. I also attempted to resolve the doubts that had arisen by offering some possible arguments and/or answers. In the end, my brainstorming and searching for truth brought me back to the Truth I place my beliefs even before. In John 17:1727 reads: “Sanctify them by Your truth: Your word is truth.”
Endnotes
1. Rene Descartes. Meditations on Fist Philosophy. (most if not all of the philosophical works I have cited here were found on our Philo 10 readings, so it is unwise to put page numbers that may just confuse readers)
2. Anselm. Proslogian.
3. Good News Bible: Today’s English Version. Revelations 20:11-15
4. Plato. Euthyphro.
5. Good News Bible: Today’s English Version. I Timothy 2:5; I Corinthians 8:6
6. Immanuel Kant. Metaphysics of Morals.
7. Good News Bible: Today’s English Version. Revelations 20:11-15
8. Ibid. I Thessalonians 5:2
9. Bertrand Russell. The Value of Philosophy.
10. Good News Bible: Today’s English Version. Romans 3:23, 6:23
11. Ibid. Revelations 21:8
12. Ibid. Matthew 4:1-11
13. Ludwig Feuerbach. Essence of Christianity.
14. Good News Bible: Today’s English Version. Revelations 21:8
15. Lisa Alekna. “A Brief Overview of Bible History”. “>http://users.rcn.com/lanat/biblehistory.htm>
16. Good News Bible: Today’s English Version. Matthews 1:20
17. Paul Ronald. Investigating the Unexplained: explorations into ancient mysteries, the paranormal and strange phenomena.
18. William Clifford. Ethics of Belief.
19. Ludwig Feuerbach. Essence of Christianity.
20. Good News Bible: Today’s English Version. Genesis 1:16.
21. Herbert Palme. “Astronomy: On The Formation of Earth’s Moon”. “>http://scienceweek.com/2004/sc040903-1.htm>
22. Good News Bible: Today’s English Version. Isaiah 40:22.
23. Ibid. Matthews 24:3, 33, 6-8.
24. Ibid. Revelations 11:13-15
25. Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 27, 2004.
26. Aristotle. Ars Rhetorica.
27. Holy Bible: New King James Version. John 17:17.
