Do You Believe That Your Religion is the Right Religion? 10 Questions About Belief

The philosopher Daniel Dennett in his book “Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon,” has made important notes on the numerous ways religion shapes individuals and societies. The book revealed certain features of religious belief that may seem to us as peculiar, precious, even grotesque and distasteful based from evolutionary and anthropological studies. What captivated me, however, is the book’s strong emphasis to the notion that religion and belief must be put to rational scrutiny. Dennett voices out that belief in God (and the question of his/her/its existence) should not be exempt from the lens of natural science. 

I agree with Dennett that there is a deep need to study religion extensively as a form of scientific endeavor. We tend to apply the scientific method to all forms of inquiries everyday: from the type and color of clothes to wear, the brand of shoes to pick and much of the apps we use on our phones. On the other hand, we place little effort in learning about the religion we inherited from our parents. Is there really a God? What is the difference between a ‘God’ and a ‘god?’ Which religion is the right one to follow: Islam, Christianity or Judaism? The list below consists of my personal questions that I think must be answered in light of free discussion and reason.

 1. Is it possible to ascribe meaning to the word ‘God’ that will be compatible with various religious doctrines? (Including Islamic, Hindu and Buddhist etc.)

 2. Is religion a product of natural evolutionary processes or something else? 3. Why do religions of all sorts require faith and shun away doubt -- the baseline for an honest inquiry?

 4. If God created the Universe, then how did he/she/it made the first particles and traces of energy that composed the cosmos? Can the phenomenon of God be explained through an advanced understanding of physics?

 5. If one day, the world wakes up to the shocking news that space aliens already landed and made contact with earthlings, will our religions (and our views of the Universe) change? Will our visitors from a distant galaxy profess a new kind of religion?

 6. Are there natural and scientific explanations for religious experiences such as alleged apparitions and miracles?

 7. Assuming that we already invented time machines, will the Catholic Church, or any other Christian denomination, permit an expedition back in time to check for the truth of the claim about Jesus’ resurrection? Will we want to extend this search to witness how God (if he/she/it really did) made the Universe?

 8. Do religions make people good or is morality itself an item that can be interpreted using scientific language?

 9. What are the costs and benefits of religious belief? Do these costs outweigh the benefits or the other way around?

 10. Will the world be a better place without religion or will it be rather chaotic and hostile?

...by the way, an interesting countdown of the least known (and very weird) religions around the world.

The Power of Saying “I Can”

You are unique. You are special. You are strong. You may not realize it right now but no one can deny the fact that you started your life as a champion. Just imagine that of all competing sperm cells from your dad, you’re the one who emerged victorious; you outran at least about three million other sperms and made it to your mother’s egg cell. The science of genetics also points to the fact that all possible combinations of chromosomes – from all parents that set foot on this planet – make your birth a kind of chance event of astronomical proportions. That night when you were conceived, millions of individual, aspiring sperms – with all their quirkiness, weaknesses and strengths imprinted in their genetic material – vied to win the race of human reproduction. And voila! You were born. So smile. You are the only person in this world that can be you. You have all the strengths you need to ace the game of life. In times of trouble and despair, remember this important scientific fact – you are unique. You can become what you want to be. Believe in yourself and say: “I can!”

                But what, if there is any, are the powers of the words “I can?” Why say to yourself that you can when you actually feel you can’t? In a world full of failures, betrayals, broken hopes and relationships, will it make sense to deceive oneself about the harsh reality of life? Well, no one’s being deceived! Everyone of us have great potentials to succeed in life no matter how dire the situations we face individually. You and I are strong persons that should seek out for those unlimited possibilities. We can be actors, politicians, singers and professionals. We can be artists, activists, heroes. It is up to us. In our own personal endeavors, however, we might fail a lot. You may be scarred, bruised and beaten as you go along. But you must not lose the will to fight and let defeat defeat you. If you feel that your problems and frustrations seem overwhelming, take a deep breath, hold your chin up, and say that you can. People who commit suicides are those who never believed in their own inner strengths. “I can:” make these two words your personal mantra. Think of the many things you have: your eyesight, your friends and the one you love. Unleash your inner Superman and never be defeated by defeat again. You can. You must.

                I can be happy and so can you. This is what most people forget. The cause of all heartaches and miseries is this: the belief that happiness is a matter of externals. “I can only be happy if she loves me back.” I will only be happy if I pass that exam.” “I will be happy if I already own that brand new car.” We tend to see happiness through a mirage of “ifs.” “I can be happy if the conditions are right.” That’s precisely how sad people see happiness. These people beg and beg from life the things they lack. Ask yourself: aren’t you happy that you’re still able to eat three meals in a day? Can’t you be satisfied with the nice clothes you’re wearing today? Aren’t you proud of the loving people you share your life with? Remember: a million people in this planet desperately want to live in your shoes – people of extreme poverty and hopelessness. Being happy is not about what you have but of what you are. The good thing about happiness is that it’s like a light switch: you can turn it on at will. How? Smile. Sing a song. Play with a pet. Talk with your friends. Just cheer up and be happy. Be happy for no reason at all. It is a matter of choice and you can make that choice. You can!

                We live in a world that’s in great need of men and women who can stand their ground and say to themselves that life cannot bring them down. Right at this moment, say to yourself: “I can.” Have a heart of a lion and be strong for those who are on the verge of giving up.