Some dogmas of religion

Abstract

Religion is defined as an emotion resting on a conviction of harmony between the individual and the universe, a state that necessitates the acceptance of metaphysical dogmas. These dogmas cannot be validly established through non-rational means such as subjective certainty, miracles, or the perceived moral utility of a belief; instead, they require rigorous metaphysical justification. Examination of the self reveals that it is not a mere activity of the body, implying that if human immortality is true, it logically involves a plurality of lives and pre-existence. Furthermore, the doctrine of indeterministic free will is inconsistent with both the validity of moral judgments and the possibility of rational prediction, as human volitions are more consistently understood as being completely determined. Regarding theism, the existence of an omnipotent and perfectly good creator is irreconcilable with the reality of evil. While a non-omnipotent, finite director of the universe is a more logically defensible hypothesis, its existence cannot be proven via the argument from design if reality is understood as a self-subsistent spiritual system. Consequently, while religious dogmas are essential for a sense of cosmic harmony, they remain controversial and unproven by contemporary metaphysical standards, leaving many without a rational basis for religious conviction. – AI-generated abstract.