The Wrong Question
Don't ask what you should believe - ask how you should live!
“It does me no injury for my neighbor to believe in twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.”
~Thomas Jefferson
A Common Grammar
Before we can truly (and effectively) continue our spiritual journey, it’s helpful to examine the all-to-common belief in what I’ll refer to as “the Divine.” Throughout human history, mankind has worshipped or honored gods, goddesses, immortals, all-powerful beings, spirits, and all sorts of other “higher powers.” Humanity has always seemed to want to believe that there is something (or somethings) beyond ourselves – either more powerful or incomprehensible (or both) – because there has always been so much we didn’t understand. Of course, we also observed order and rules (or laws) that seem to govern the universe, so we jump to the conclusion that where there’s order, there’s a will; where there are rules, their must be an author and a judge. So what do we do? We anthropomorphize and name the supposed will, author, or judge. Once we’ve fabricated this supernatural starting point, we’re then able to get amazingly creative in explaining a universe that still remains largely inexplicable to us!
The belief in some omnipotent cosmic power is so strong and permeates so many societies and cultures around the world today that we need a grammar that simplifies an exploration of this complex subject. So, I’ll sum up all of these understandings as “the Divine,” with a capital ‘D.’
A Framework for Understanding
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the definition or conceptualization of the Divine can vary greatly among different religious, spiritual, and philosophical traditions. To give us a framework for thinking about it, here are a few common perspectives:
Monotheistic Concept: In monotheistic traditions such as Islam, Judaism, and (debatably) Christianity1, the Divine is often understood as a singular, all-powerful, and transcendent entity. It is seen as the creator and sustainer of the universe and is characterized by attributes such as omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence.
Polytheistic Concept: In polytheistic traditions such as Hinduism, certain Pagan traditions, and (arguably) Christianity, the Divine is believed to manifest in multiple forms, deities, gods, or goddesses. Each supernatural entity may represent different aspects of the Divine or specific domains of life, such as love, wisdom, fertility, or war.
Pantheistic/Panentheistic Concept: In pantheistic or panentheistic traditions, such as some forms of Hinduism, or certain mystical and nature-based belief systems, the Divine is understood as immanent, existing within and being interconnected with all of creation. The Divine is seen as present in every aspect of the universe, including nature and human beings.
Non-Theistic or Transcendent Concept: Some philosophical and spiritual traditions, such as certain forms of Buddhism or Taoism, and some belief systems classified as “New Age,” may not emphasize a personal deity or higher power. Instead, they focus on concepts like ultimate reality, cosmic order, or interconnectedness as a way to understand the transcendent or divine nature of existence. For our purposes, we will include this as a conceptualization of the Divine.
It’s important to note that these are general conceptualizations and not intended to be an exhaustive representation of beliefs about the Divine. This is simply a starting framework for understanding and discussion. Different individuals and traditions may have their own unique interpretations and understandings. Beliefs about the Divine often involve deeply personal and subjective experiences that can vary from person to person, which is one of the reasons the CODA Project focuses on individuals and not any particular organized religion.
However, to be perfectly clear, the CODA Project does not presuppose any sort of cosmic, supernatural divine being. There is no proof that such a being exists, nor can you prove a negative (e.g. “the Divine does not exist), so that’s where I’ll leave it. You are free to believe whatever you want and I’m not trying to convince you otherwise. I would just like to help you figure out how to live a better life.
The Wrong Question
The presence of various concepts about the Divine arises from the diversity of human cultures, beliefs, and experiences throughout history. Different cultures and individuals have developed their own perspectives and understandings based on their unique contexts, traditions, and spiritual journeys. The simple fact is that different peoples throughout history have done their best to create explanations that helped them to wrap their heads around a world that they didn’t fully understand. The question of whether these concepts are all correct or all wrong is a complex and subjective matter.
And it’s also the wrong question.
It’s true that adherents of specific belief systems often consider their own understanding of the Divine as “correct,” while attempting to explain away the time and context of their particular tradition. They may view their beliefs as being grounded in sacred texts, revelations, teachings, or personal experiences that provide them with a sense of truth and meaning.
When reviewed objectively, every justification for a specific belief system is circular or unproveable. Take the justification for the foundation for much of the faith tradition I was raised within – Christianity. Most Christian denominations point to the Bible as the source of their sacred truth.
But how do we know the Bible contains Divinely inspired truth? How do we know that the four Gospels, chosen from the scores of gospels being taught in various Christian communities, are the only ones Divinely inspired?
Well, because the canon of the Catholic Church was affirmed by the Council of Rome in 382 AD. Oh… and by the Synod of Hippo in 393 AD. And two of the Councils of Carthage – one in 397 AD and another in 419 AD. But wait, the Council of Florence affirmed it when it met from 1431–1449 AD. Oh, and is was finally included as an article of faith by the Council of Trent, which was held from 1545–1563 AD.
Okay – but how do we know that all of those councils knew what they were doing? How do we know that they chose the correct writings to include as the sacred texts for all of Christianity?
Well, because the Holy Spirit was guiding them. They may have been mere men, fallible and imperfect, but the Spirit was at work to ensure they chose correctly.
And how do we know that the Holy Spirit is at work, guiding the Church and all of those clerics who are running it?
Because the Bible says so.
Yes – the sacred texts that they selected gave them the authority to correctly select what was included in (and excluded from) those same sacred texts. It’s the epitome of circular arguments – and it’s basically the same line of reasoning used by most organized religions.
But again, when we focus on that, I think we’re asking the wrong question.
What’s the Correct Question?
When we recognize that beliefs about the Divine are deeply personal and subjective, then it allows us to see every religious and faith tradition for what it is – an attempt to explain (1) the feeling that there is something greater than ourselves, (2) the hope that there is some cosmic will guiding this crazy universe, and (3) the desire that we somehow continue to live even after our physical bodies die. A belief in the Divine is the only thing that meets all of those criteria but we don’t know how all of it would work. So, the nature of the Divine must be beyond our direct human comprehension, which obviously leads to a multitude of interpretations and understandings, with a final conclusion that amounts to a shrug of the shoulders as we say, “It’s a mystery.”
The simple fact is that none of these concepts about the Divine can be objectively proven or disproven. Luckily, that’s not the point.
The correct question to ask is this: How should I best live my life?
Asking “what should I believe” is a lot different than asking “how should I live.” Life is active – it’s a contact sport – so instead of looking back on what an anonymous author wrote 2,000 years ago, we need to be looking ahead and determining the best actions to take as we move forward. What you believe right now is generally a function of what you’ve been taught and what you’ve experienced in the past. I want to focus on where you’re going in the future.
In order to answer the correct question, you’ll need to engage in personal reflection, exploration, and seeking – and you’ll need to be willing to question not only your beliefs about the Divine but also whether or not you should believe at all in the unproveable existence of some supernatural cosmic entity. Factors that can influence your beliefs include personal experiences, cultural influences, philosophical frameworks, intellectual inquiry, spiritual practices, logic, and reason.
Even though countless people may be willing to take this journey with us, many will choose to continue believing in a “higher power” and some will still find resonance with a particular religious tradition or philosophical perspective. Many others will develop their own unique understanding that draws from multiple sources. But some will throw off the shackles of history and culture and conclude that there is no Divine – and realize that they are free to live their best life because of it.
Ultimately, deciding what to believe is a deeply personal and subjective journey. Most religious and faith traditions recognize this but then try to limit people to a set of beliefs and teachings that have been predetermined. It reminds me of Henry Ford saying you can have a Model-T in any color, as long as it’s black!
Prepare for Your Journey
I tend not to get hung up on the use of the word “spiritual,” unlike many fellow freethinkers. If it helps you to think of this journey of growth and wisdom as a spiritual one, more power to you. But I would suggest that perhaps the first step is to stop thinking of your personal “spiritual journey” as being supernatural. Religionists2 can try to claim the word “spiritual” as their own but I don’t think we should let them. I believe in the human spirit – something within each of us that embodies an amazing array of qualities and capabilities – and cultivating that to the benefit of ourselves and our communities is a noble undertaking. This is what you should think of if you choose to speak of your path as a “spiritual journey.”
A natural spiritual journey (as opposed to a supernatural one) requires introspection, critical thinking, openness to different perspectives, and a willingness to explore and question your own beliefs. It can certainly be helpful to engage in respectful dialogue with others, to seek wisdom from trusted sources, even those who are firmly entrenched in a specific tradition. But the key is to be open to ongoing growth and the possibility of evolution in your own personal understanding of the Divine, including the potential conclusion that “the Divine” is simply a comforting belief that most people will choose to cling to. Obviously, if you have already come to that conclusion, then you are simply further along the path. Hopefully the ideas I share through the CODA Project will resonate even more with you.
In the weeks and months ahead, I will do my best to approach this discussions about beliefs with humility, respect, and an appreciation for the diversity of human experiences and interpretations. My main goal is not to debunk any particular religious tradition but I will also rarely pull my punches when addressing religionists and their zealous approach to “faith.” Those who spend their time and energy condemning people who don’t agree with them on matters of supernatural beliefs will get no sympathy from me. I will try not to be unkind or uncharitable, but I have little patience for hypocrites who preach love while acting hatefully.
I believe that what matters most is that our personal beliefs must provide a sense of meaning, purpose, guidance, and a connection to something greater. The key difference is that I no longer jump to the conclusion that “something greater” must mean a supernatural being. Besides, if a personal set of beliefs – especially a belief in the Divine – doesn’t foster personal growth, compassion, and a positive impact on the world, then what’s the point?
I would love for you to join me on this journey as we build a movement focused on supporting atheists, humanists, freethinkers, and those who consider themselves “spiritual but not religious.” Please become a free subscriber and tell your family and friends about the CODA Project. To support this movement even more, consider becoming a paid subscriber!
The explanation of a consubstantial Triune God of Christianity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit being individual persons but one “godhead” - is only reasonable and acceptable to devout (or apathetic) Christians. Insisting that they’re “separate but one” seems silly, even for people who whole-heartedly believe in supernatural beings, so Christianity can safely be classified as a polytheistic religion.
“Religionist” is any person adhering to a religion, particularly those who can safely be describe as religious zealots.