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Chapter Four: Philosophy, Religion, and God

Chapter four of “A Text with Readings” by Manuel Velasquez discusses the philosophy of religion and God. According to this chapter, the choice between certainty and unbelief tend to influence an individual’s understanding of oneself. Different individuals have different beliefs, and this is one of the aspects used to define individuals in society. Also, it is normally hard to define religion because of the difference in religion and religious beliefs by different cultures. For example, there is Buddhism religion which does not believe in a personal God; some religions are not institutionalized, some lack common official beliefs, and also there are others that do not see the importance of personal commitment.

According to professor Smart, all religions are characterized by some or all of the following six scopes; myth, doctrine, morality, ritual, organization and also experience. Religion is therefore described by religious beliefs and certain religious experiences whereby every society seem to have their own religious beliefs and experiences. Religious beliefs denote the principles that are believed concerning a supernatural dimension while the religious experiences denote to the familiarity of the supernatural dimension. These cultures tend to differ on the existence of a supernatural being, some believing in the existence of God while others oppose the claim. Hence this leads to the issue of whether there is an existence of God.

The topic of the existence of God brings in the issue of theism and monotheism. Theism is termed as the belief that God exists and the believers of the reality are referred to as theists. On the other hand, monotheism is the belief that only one God exists and those who believe in it have been raised believing so. Currently, on the issue of the existence of God, scientific discoveries, as well as theories, tend to challenge the difference in religious beliefs. However, some of them seem to strengthen these beliefs. Some individuals need some proof for the existence of God while others the evidence of existence tends to reinforce their religious beliefs.

Consequently, the issue of the existence of God raises several arguments by different philosophers. The Anselm’s ontological argument contends that God must exist and exists in reality and nothing more significant can be conceived other than God. There is also Aquinas cosmological argument that maintains that the effects, as well as motions that are seen in the world, demand a source of origin. The argument further claims that God is the unmoving source of motion. Also according to William Paley’s argument, there is the existence of an intelligent deity, and this is supported by the order that is experienced in the universe. The intelligent deity that Paley discussed must be God, and he seems to acknowledge his existence.

Moreover, the chapter further discusses the issue of atheism, agnosticism and also the problem to do with evil. Agnosticism and atheism are described as reactions to the troubles in the traditional opinions concerning a theist God. According to atheism, there is no existence of God, and the presence of evil in societies implies it. Contrary, theists argue the necessity of evil for good and that humans are given free will to decide what is right and evil. The agnostics on the other side claims that individuals do not know whether God exists or not.

The chapter closes with a discussion on traditional and nontraditional beliefs and experiences. There are philosophers like William James who believe in traditional religious beliefs while others think contrary. In traditional religious beliefs and experiences, many individuals tend to believe in God because of an undeviating personal experience of the godly and not because of proofs. On the other hand, the nontraditional religious experience opposes the traditional ones. The nontraditional religious experience is thus backed by theologies such as feminist theology and the Eastern religious views like Buddhism and Hinduism.

Works CitedVelasquez, Manuel. Philosophy: A text with readings. Cengage Learning, 2016.