Holy Detective: Investigating Religions in the Search for God

In my previous article, "Science Disproves Faith? Spoiler Alert: No", I demonstrated that contemplating the existence of an Intelligent Designer is reasonable.

Logic and Critical Thinking in Metaphysical Inquiry

When discussing the existence of God and God's identity, we approach metaphysical topics that are best explored through logic, logical arguments, and critical thinking.

Logic provides the foundational principles, while logical arguments are structured sets of statements using these principles to support or refute claims. They consist of premises that lead to a conclusion, either deductively (where the conclusion necessarily follows) or inductively (where the conclusion is probable but not certain). Critical thinking involves the active and skillful analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information, allowing us to form reasoned judgments.

Together, these tools enable a rigorous and coherent examination of metaphysical questions, offering a thoughtful and rational approach to understanding the divine.

The Logic of Focusing on the Big Five Religions in Divine Identity Studies

Understanding the nature of the Divine can be a challenging journey. With numerous religions and belief systems around the world, each claiming to offer the ultimate truth, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Yet, for those interested in further exploring the nature of God, the subsequent step would involve investigating the world's major religions.

Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism represent the vast majority of the world's religious population, have the most historical influence, and possess well-documented philosophical and theological frameworks.

If a Divinity exists and chose to disclose this, it is more logical to seek evidence of revelation within the largest, most enduring, and influential religions rather than in minor or recent religious movements. Below, I will present facts followed by logical arguments that support this conclusion.

Fact: The Most Widely Practiced Religions Represent the Majority of Humanity

Logical Arguments:

• Together, the Big Five religions account for over 75% of the world’s religious population.

• If divinity has revealed itself to humanity, it is reasonable to expect that this revelation would be widespread and accessible, not obscure or hidden in small, isolated groups. The probability that a religion outside these five holds the correct concept of divine identity is statistically much lower (less than 5%).

• A divine being would presumably seek to communicate with as many people as possible, making global religions with billions of followers more likely to carry such a revelation than small or local sects.

• If a religion claims divine origin but has only influenced a tiny fraction of humanity, it is less likely that an omnipotent being intended for it to be the primary revelation.

  
  

Fact: Enduring Religions Have Survived for Millennia

Logical Arguments:

• If a divine revelation occurred, it would not be temporary or fade away but rather persist and endure.

• Religions that have stood the test of time suggest that they contain truths or structures that resonate with humanity at a deep level.

• Many other religions and belief systems have disappeared, while these major religions have not only survived but expanded across the world.

• If God revealed truth, it is rational to expect that it would be preserved over centuries, not lost like short-lived religious movements.

Fact: The Major Religions Have Extensive Historical Documentation

• Christianity: Roman records, Jewish sources (e.g., Josephus), early church fathers.

• Islam: Early biographies of Muhammad, archaeological evidence.

• Hinduism & Buddhism: Ancient texts, inscriptions, historical figures.

• Judaism: Historical records of Israel, archaeological finds.

  
  

Logical Arguments:

• If a divine revelation occurred, it would not be hidden or undocumented, but instead be widely recorded and discussed in history.

• The major religions have vast amounts of historical records, making them more credible than belief systems that lack documentation.

• Many minor religions lack evidence or rely only on recent oral traditions, making them less likely candidates for divine truth.

  
  

Fact: The Major Religions Have Shaped Civilizations

• Christianity: Foundation of Western ethics, legal systems, and science (many scientists were Christian).

• Islam: Golden Age of science, philosophy, and medicine.

• Hinduism & Buddhism: Influenced Eastern philosophy, meditation, and ideas about consciousness.

• Judaism: Gave birth to monotheism and influenced both Christianity and Islam.

  
  

Logical Arguments:

• If divine revelation exists, it is logical to expect it to have influenced human history in major ways.

• The most influential religions are more likely to contain divine truths because they have an enduring impact on societies, laws, ethics, and knowledge.

• If a religion had no real-world impact or changed nothing, it would be less likely to be divinely inspired.

Fact: The Big Five Religions Have Coherent Theological Systems

Logical Argument:

• If a divine being exists, its revelation would likely be coherent and deeply structured rather than random myths or folklore.

• The major religions have detailed theological systems that attempt to explain life, morality, and the divine in profound ways.

• Smaller belief systems often lack such depth and are usually local or cultural rather than global in scope.

Conclusion: If divine truth exists, probability suggests it is most logically found within these five religions rather than obscure or newer belief systems.

The Nature of the Divine: A Moral Framework

When analyzing the nature of God, it is logical to focus on religions that explicitly affirm the existence of a divine being. Buddhism, being non-theistic, does not center around a personal, creator God, making it fundamentally different from the other major world religions (Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism) that do. Therefore, it can be excluded from this analysis.

While the other big religions also claim to hold the truth, their credibility can be evaluated through logic and critical thinking. A valuable starting point is to explore the shared concepts of the divine:

Fact: All these beliefs address the complex and profound concepts of good and evil, exploring the moral frameworks that guide human behavior and societal norms. They converge on the fundamental idea that the Divine, in various interpretations and manifestations, serves as the ultimate arbiter of morality. This Divine presence is often depicted as possessing the authority to judge the actions of individuals, weighing their intentions and consequences.

Fact: Furthermore, these belief systems universally agree that wrongdoing does not go unnoticed; rather, it is subject to scrutiny and, in many cases, punishment. This punishment can take diverse forms, ranging from spiritual consequences in an afterlife to immediate repercussions in the physical world.

Fact: These beliefs also assert that God is inherently good.

The Deductive Reasoning Approach

God's Goodness

• Premise: God is inherently good.

• Conclusion: Therefore, His creation is fundamentally good, as it originates from a being defined by goodness itself.

  
  

Human Nature

• Premise: Humans, as part of God's creation, are designed for good.

• Premise: Humans are also capable of evil.

• Conclusion: Therefore, it is logical to view evil as a deviation from God's good design.

  
  

Human Actions

• Premise: Humans were designed to do exclusively good.

• Premise: No act of goodness can undo the wrong done by a person.

• Conclusion: Therefore, the validity of the performance-based beliefs that focus on earning reconciliation with God through deeds is undermined. Instead, beliefs that involve a sacrificial substitute to bear the guilt on behalf of the sinner are supported.

  
  

Sin and Sacrifice

• Premise: Sin results in death, historically symbolized by animal sacrifices in rituals to atone for sins.

• Premise: These sacrifices were temporary and had to be repeated, suggesting they provided only partial or temporary relief.

• Conclusion: Therefore, the notion of a final and complete atonement is supported.

  
  

Final Atonement: Love and Righteousness The Superlative

• Premise: One belief asserts the notion of complete and final atonement: the faith in Jesus Christ.

• Premise: In this belief, ultimate Love offered Himself as a sacrifice to restore humanity before God's perfect Righteousness.

• Conclusion: Therefore, full reconciliation is accomplished through this sacrificial act.

Personal conviction:

By carefully applying logic and critical thinking in evaluating facts and rational arguments, one can arrive at a profound faith in Jesus Christ.

I am truly delighted to affirm that He is the Son of God and my Savior, and I invite everyone to explore the compelling arguments that guide us toward this transformative faith. Through this approach, we embark on a journey of discovery that leads to a personal faith and a deep relationship with the Divine.

I’m eager to know what you think! Does this viewpoint align with your own? If you have a different perspective or additional insights, please feel free to share them. I’m always open to engaging in respectful and meaningful discussions with my readers.

Love,

Carmen