Deism in Modern Time
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At a glance, or at the pages of any newspaper, reveals that ideas which divide one group of human beings from another, only to unite then in slaughter, generally have their roots in religion. (Harris, 12) An explanation of religion has been attempted by many scholars. Hobbs wrote once that, religion can be explained as the product of human fear interpreting natural phenomenon in anthropropomorphic form. (Web page on Hobbs and others) Many have set out to prove or disprove the ideas religion has set forth. Throughout the world historical documentation such as the revelations in the Bible and the beliefs of the Koran have forced a moral ideology on all people to decide to believe or not believe.
The enlightenment period was a time where a few of the first noted free thinkers such as Thomas Paine and Voltaire were first capable of revealing outside ideas and opinions on religion. Ideas which still today in modern time are often contemplated but rarely expressed socially. Religion and “God” are far older than Christianity or Judaism. You are able to trace them back as for as —
One could say that religion has been the driving force behind almost all cultures. The morals set down by these religions helped build the work we live in today. But, there is a question asked over and over again. “Is there one true religion”? Though there are many books attempting to prove the existence of one true religion, the central idea behind each of these has a certain level of faith involved. Harris wrote once that, “if you tell a devout Christian that his wife is cheating on him or that yogurt can make a man invisible, he is likely to require some evidence to support your claim. However, tell him a book written by an invisible deity who will punish him with fire for eternity if he fails to accept and follow it and he seem to ask for nothing. (Harris, 19)
Such words like “God” and “Allah” must go the way of “Apollo” and “Baal” or they will unmake our world. (Harris, 14) History has already shown us that cultures tend to outgrow their beliefs as science proves religious systems such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam as forms of socially sanctioned lunacy while their fundamental tenets and rituals are considered irrational and archaic. (Book review, End of Faith, Angier)