Category: God

The bible as a religious book was written many years ago. Its a religious book for Christians. Christians believe in God, the son and the Holy Spirit. Christianity acknowledges that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. The bible teaches about the history of the world in a religious perspective. Genesis records that, God created heaven and earth. All the order was restored for human and other creatures to fit and survive.

The bible teaches of the first and second creation according to Genesis chapter 1 and 2. Biblical scholars contend that Genesis began with two accounts of the creation. The first account or story gives a view of eight commands executed for a six days period, the seventh day God rested.

In (Genesis 1:1-2:3) in the beginning of Gods preparing the heavens and the earths, the earth hath existed waste and void& All the creations were executed within six days.

The second creation story narrates about the creation of the first man and woman. God plants a garden in Eden. He sets man to dwell in it; He causes pleasant trees to sprout from the ground. Trees were necessary for food, life, as well as for knowledge of good and evil.

Yahweh the bible contends, God caused a man to sleep He took his rib, and formed a woman. The man called her woman (Hebrew). Man and woman lives together and marriage follows. Man (Adam) and woman (Eve) had commited sin and realized they were naked in the garden.

Genesis 1 and 2 explain chronological events and a section about the origins of man in the world.

The bible histories narrates and mentions many themes that are continued from book of Genesis to Gods intention to mankind His forgiveness of mans rebellious nature, the plan to bring salvation to man through Jesus Christ.

The sinful nature of mankind continues from the time of Adam and Eve. God intended to forgive man, Christian believe that Jesus Christ came to set mankind free from sin, granting them eternal life to those who believe in His Son.

The birth and life story of Jesus in the bible are contained in the New Testament books. The gospel books give an account of the birth of Jesus Christ, His life in the world. His teachings, miracles, the disciples, the way of life up to the time of His death and resurrection.

What does the word Gospel mean? (Calmet A p. 287) explains that Gospel as the subject of the apostolic message. This is the good message or glad tiding. It is also called the gospel of peace (Romans 5) as it proclaims peace with God to sinful rebels through Jesus Christ.

Gospel isThe word of reconciliation (2 Corinthians; 19) it shows how God is reconciled to sinners and His great motive to reconcile their minds to Him.

The terms Gospel of salvation (Ephesians 1, 13) because it bolds salvation to the lost or miserable in the world filled with sin. It is the gospel of the kingdom as it proclaims powers of the savior, lusture and privileges of His kingdom.

Thats a more general idea of what the gospel entails, from this summaries given of the parts of the New Testament. Jesus sums up the gospel; He told Nicodemus as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the son of man be lifted up&

Paul an apostle of Jesus also gives a brief about the meaning of the gospel. Moreover my brethren, I declare un to you the gospel which I preached unto you- by the which ye are also saved  how the Christ died for our sins& (1 Corinthians 1-5)

The writings, which contain the life of Jesus Christ, miracles, death, resurrection, teachings and doctrines, are called Gospels. They contain the good news.

They are basically four canonical gospels those of Mathew, Mark, Luke and John. They were received earlier as the standards of evangelical history according to doctrines deeds of Jesus. They are appealed under Jesus both by friends and enemies. No one has ever acknowledged a fifth gospel as an equal authority to the four.

Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem in Judea. The two accounts surrounding the birth of Jesus are highlighted in the new testament of the bible. One is accounted in the gospel of Mathew and gospel of Luke. The other accounts of birth of Christ are not found in the Christian canon of the bible. The gospel of Mark remains silent on the issue of nativity. The gospel according to John gives no account of the birth of Jesus.

The birth of Jesus Christ has led to argument among the scholars due to event surrounding it.

According to the bible Jesus Christ was to redeem man from his sinful nature. When God created man in the book of Genesis, Man was sinless, Adam and Eve the first human to be created had disobeyed God hence, falling from the favor of God. They had lost the chance to live forever. Satan had influenced them to act against the will of God.

It is for this reason that Jesus Christ was to be born by a Virgin Mary to cancel sin. Destroy all the kingdoms and dominions of Satan.

Jesus Christ was the Son of God. Indeed Jesus was God. In the beginning was Jesus, and Jesus was with God, and Jesus was with God in the beginning (John 1:1-2)

There are three who were present in the beginning: the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit all These Three are one God (1 John 5:7)

Jesus had started his mission to deliver the world from sin through his teachings and mission. The teachings that were brought to the earth from God-the Father by Jesus Christ came to the people in the form of Jesus talking with his disciples as well as his message to the people. His appealing to heavenly Father, his deeds, miracles as was recorded in the Gospel.

The disciples of Jesus had accounts of information they had learned from him. Prophecies of the Holy spirit and God-the-father talked of Jesus Christ the Messiah.

No complete structure that described Jesus teachings in an orderly manner about his work, they discuss ideological issues. This had led to some disagreements between Jesus follower and perverts (Antonov V p.67)

Jesus teachings advocated for mutual relationship. To love and care. in everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets (Mathew 7:12)

Jesus Christ had the good news for the world, thats why He had other names like Jesus Christ the messiah. The world was full of sins and was caught in a battle between the forces of the good and evil. God occupies the position of good.

He is our creator (Yahweh or Jehovah His Son, Jesus Christ and the angels that remained loyal) were on His side.

Satan had rebelled in heaven with some of the angels hence they occupies the side of evil. Human beings in their weak nature have either to side or align with one side or the other after man had sinned in the garden of Eden after disobeying God.

Satan had intended to have as many people as possible under his control. He wants many to deny Gods kingdom, His right to be worshipped, and the rights as the creator who set guidelines for peoples life on earth and after death.

The bible about man as sinners for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) And there is none righteous. No! Not one. It was Gods intention to save the world; He did this by sending His beloved son Jesus Christ to redeem man from sin. As sinners we have lost the right to an eternal life of happiness, love and peace, and are doomed to be destroyed at the judgment& for wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)

Jesus Christ has been sent to the world by His Father for the sake of sinners. It was Gods plan, a plan for salvation to redeem the world from the consequences of sins. It was not Gods intentions for any one to perish at the judgment. God must make a distinction among humans, a distinction among those to receive eternal life and those who must be condemned and perish at the judgment day. Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment: (Hebrew 9:27).

To save the world and free humans from sins God sent his son, Jesus Christ to become a man, like other humans he was born with all the hereditary problems. And yet to live without sin Jesus had to live in according with the will of God. To obey Gods commands, to show that man can life a sinless life. Jesus had to conquer sins. He came to the world to save man from their sins.

In the Old Testament the bible gives accounts on how God had given details to prophets. About coming of jesus Christ God had wasted a clear identification of jesus when he comes (Raymond B. p.167) the bible accounts over four hundred prophecies that talked about the coming of a messiah in the old testament.

People had looked forward for many years of the coming of the messiah. To free and save them from sins and effects of sins. Jesus Christ was to fulfill these prophesies. He was the messiah who was to come.

Jesus Christ related with the sinner to demonstrate to the world that he had mercy and power to change their life. Jesus came in to the world so that thou shalt call name jesus; for he shall save his people from their sins Jesus had to pay a fee by his death, so that the world would be set free from bonding of Satan and sin. As (Mathew: 20:25; 1 peter 1:18-19) teaches.

In fulfilling Gods plan to save the world, Jesus Christ reconciled God and His people. Bringing God and man together strengthened the relationship between God and man. (Roman 5: 8-10, Ephesians 2: 13, 16-17)

Jesus at the time of his death had accomplished the will of the Father. Nothing was left undone in Gods plan to bring about redemption to man. Christ had offered him- self as a sacrifice for the sake of mans sins.

God had made solution available to all the people who could repent. As (Mathew: 7: 13-4) says that not all will be saved, man was given the power to determine whether he will be saved or not, it was on conditions Man was capable of being tempted by Satan to sin, even Jesus was tempted (Hebrew 4:15) like men in the world but he did not sin, he chose always to do the right.

The new testaments give account on how Jesus had interacted with sinners. The Jews were critical to him. But Jesus teachings proofed that he came to dine and eat with sinners. He was preaching by the seaside with multitudes following and listening to him. In one instance He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting and collecting tax. He said unto him follow me and he rose and followed him, Jesus met and sat with sinners together with his disciples. The Pharisees the scribes were amazed. They asked his disciples how is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? Jesus said to them they that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick.I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Mathew 9:9-13, Luke 5:27-32)

Satan had attempted to destroy Jesus to get him worship Satan. But Satans plans failed. Satan tried to use the Jews to try Jesus. The Jewish leaders condemned Jesus and even tried him publicly. They mocked and condemned him to death.

Jesus had to be crucified shed blood to bring about forgiveness for without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22) God loved the world God demonstrates his love for us in this while were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)

Salvation is a gift given freely. What God does ask after forgiving sins, is to stop sinning (john 5:14)

I John 2:4-6 if any man says, I know him but do not do what he commands is a liar&

1 John 2 4- 6 if any man says, I know him but does not do what he commands is a liar.

Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did (Kohler A. p 234)

God had given man ten commandments regarding our relationship to God. All this commandments are summed in to one love according to teaching of Jesus

Love your neighbor as yourself (Galatians 5:14)

Jesus took the commandment further and he teaches that sin is not just breaking the law by actions but it can be broken through attitudes and thoughts. (Matthew 5:17)

No sinner could be able pay the price of redemption by himself or others. (Bird J. p. 168). All were condemned under the wrath and nothing could be offered to God to pay for sin. The price to pay was very costly. The Lamb of God was to be offered, (Psalms 47:7-8) He gave His Son, His only Son, the Son of his love, that sinners would be redeemed.

Every sinner was to be purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ I have redeemed thee& thou art mine (Isaiah. 43:1)

Jesus had power to forgive sin thy sins be forgiver thee (Mark 2:5) Jesus said un to the paralyzed man. God had given Jesus the power to forgive sins, as his son, Jesus paid the price of sin, scribes had made accusations at Jesus of blasphemy (mark 2:7)

Scribes would not recognize that Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus had to perform miracles to proof to them that surely he was the Son of God.

Everlasting forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Roman 5:10 = For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his son much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life

Its man sinful nature, however sin cannot make its way to the presence of God. Jesus Christ cannot allow when Christians sin Jesus Christ intervenes (Galatians 6:1) They confess their sins and through the blood of Jesus Christ their sins are cleansed.

Jesus Christ had his manifestation on earth in the past and in the present in heaven for sanctification (Calmet A.p. 350). The Son of God freely offered himself to Gods plan of salvation. Christ advocacy kept the sinner clean his blood washed away sin.

Gods intention to save the world from sin was fulfilled by his son Jesus. He was crucified and died on the cross. After his death, Jesus rises again from the tomb. He overcame death.

God had given the believers of Christ eternal life, to life with him forever eternally in heaven.

Eternal life was given through Christ Jesus. Before his crucifixation Jesus had said, I destroy this temple (his body) and in three days I will raise it up&

(John 2:19 21)

Christ had resurrected after three days and manifested himself in the flesh. This meant that the original sin of man was forgiven and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins (1 Cor; 15:17).

The New Testaments account the life and the work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It was God plan to bring about salvation to the world, as Man had sinned, God was merciful. Jesus fulfilled Gods plan and all the prophesies in the Old Testaments.

The Bible in the New Testaments predicts that, one-day Jesus the Son of God will come back. Rapture will occur all persons living and death that have accepted Gods plan for salvation will be removed from sin by means of holy sacrifices.

The Gospel of Jesus called for sinners to accepts that, they are sinners and be born again or to be saved by the Blood of Jesus. Jesus said I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the spirit to Nicodemus. (Act 4: 12) acknowledges, Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved

It is only through repentance through Jesus Christ that man could be saved from his sins. Jesus in his ministry called for repentance repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand

The same message is found with john Baptist the apostle, and the gospel message is full of the word. (Bird J.p.57)

There could be no salvation without repentance. A person is only saved his sins, after repenting. (Mark 10:17-27) Jesus had an encounter with the rich young ruler and a message of repentance.

To save the world the Gospel says that the only solution of sin is Jesus Christ (Roman; 6:23, John 3:16) one must choose and make a decision to trust in God and accept his Son Jesus Christ so as to receive salvation. (John 1:12)

In all his miracles Jesus had demonstrated that he had power to forgive sin, and heal the sick (Mathew 4: 13-15) Jesus healed a demon-possessed man at the Sea of Galilee. Jesus healed all kinds of demons and diseases.

In conclusion, Jesus Christ was to be used by his Father to bring about salvation; the world was full of sin. God had to redeem man. God had no intentions for man to perish because of sin. He wanted man to have eternal life. Jesus Christ had a role to play so as to fulfill Gods plan to save the world from sin.

Bibliography

Antonov Vladimir, The Original Teachings Of Jesus Christ, 2002.

The Bible, Kings James Version. Bird Jonathan, Jesus Knocking Sinners Opening 1943.

Calmet Augustin, Dictionary Of The Holy Bible, Harvard, 1832.

Edeshein Alfred, Life And Times Of Jesus The Messiah, 1930.

Gray Chapman, The Birth Of The Messiah, London, 1977.

Relt Portterm, Jesus Christ, The Jesus Of History, The Christ Of Faith, Oxford University Press, 1999.

Coming across the line They also serve who only stand and waited in the well-known sonnet, a reader might wonder whether the modern tramps of Becketts Waiting for Godot would have been in Miltons view the supreme servants of God. Intelligence, to prevent that murmur, would then remind the reader of Miltons phenomenal etymological scholarship and gently suggest that one undertake keener research into the etymology of Miltons vocabulary if one really wished to comprehend his meaning. Such research should reveal the absurdity of the waiting undertaken by Becketts Vladimir and Estragon, and the kind of active waiting Milton would want any true Christian to engage in.

Turning as one tends to do in times of such dire need to the volumes of the Oxford English Dictionary or, if one is not a keen weight-lifter and weight-watcher, to the online version, one comes across more senses of the word than one would have ever imagined. The first few recorded have been marked with the qualification obsolete and one has towaitfor the sense marked 14 h before one sees exactly what it is blind Milton saw in his minds eye:

h. In Bible phrase, to place ones hope in (God). Cf. WAITER 4b.

Very common in the Bible of 1611; rendering several Heb. verbs of identical meaning.

1535 COVERDALE Ps. lxi[i]. 1 My souled waited only upon God, for of him comet my helped. 1611 BIBLE Ps. xxv. 3 Let none that wait on the be ashamed. 1840 GEO. ELIOT Let. 20 July (1954) I. 58 That constant waiting on God for instruction and comfort which [the Quietists]..make the sum total of religion. 1931 J. BUCHAN Blanket of Dark xvi. 307 Be still and wait on God. 1979 R. BLYTHE View in Winter ix. 300 One of the best things which all these new changes have brought about is this notion of waiting upon God.

The line, the word, the sense, the meaning immediately become clear as crystal, and one wonders why the editors of the Oxford English Dictionary did not think of including the line from Miltons sonnet as one of the quotations of the word used in this particular sense.

The two tramps of Becketts Godot would be well-advised to Be still and wait on God as Buchan advocated in 1931, instead of constantly physically and mentally fidgeting around as they do. One should be grateful to the Oxford English Dictionary for enabling this insight into John Miltons sonnet, and equally grateful to Milton for providing this insight into the nothing that regularly happens while the two tramps wait (without being still and watchful) for their promised Godot. Small wonder, then, that the tramps have to keep reminding themselves every day Well hang ourselves tomorrow&Unless Godot comes (124); while Milton understands that who best/ Bear his mild yak, they serve him best. Miltons blind state is kingly, the tramps who can see what is without do not have the insight to look within and learn.

Works Cited

Beckett, Samuel. Waiting for Godot. London: Oxford UP, 1990.

Milton, John. On His Blindness. Online Resource. 2008. Web.

Wait, v 1. Oxford English Dictionary. Online Resource. 2008. Web.

The cosmological argument is the viewpoint that proves the Gods existence using empirical facts. In essence, everything in the universe is moved or created by another motion, cause, or existence (Jononymous Personymous, 2021a). If a certain phenomenon can be observed, then it has to originate from another phenomenon, thus forming infinite regress. However, presuming that there is always a preceding cause is irrational; therefore, there has to be an exception, which is presumed to be God.

One of the counterarguments is that infinite regress is not irrational. The common understanding of causes is that they can always be numbered. If an archer does not shoot an arrow, it will not hit the target. However, the distance between the archer and the target can always be divided by half, which implies that the arrow should never reach the target or that it should never have a beginning (Jononymous Personymous, 2021b). However, the arrow does reach the target, which frames the numerical explanation obsolete.

This counter argument undermines the cosmological argument because there seems to be a process that always has a motion preceding it, yet it is finite. The subsequent implication is that infinite regress is rational, which implies that there is no necessity for exceptions. As the cosmological argument frames God as an exception, the absence of exceptions means the absence of God.

The consideration of the counter argument shows that two seemingly contradictory principles may coexist  the arrow simultaneously hits the target while making an infinite number of distance divisions. Therefore, there is no necessity to frame the existence of God as an exception. It is possible to argue that God exists and creates motion, while being a case of mathematical infinity at the same time.

References

Jononymous Personymous. (2021a). GOD DEBATE the cosmological argument for Gods existence [Video]. YouTube. Web.

Jononymous Personymous. (2021b). GOD DEBATE Counterarguments against the cosmological argument for Gods existence [Video]. YouTube. Web.

Introduction

The Cosmological Argument for the existence of God, as propounded by Thomas Aquinas, hinged on the five general principles. This, in Aquinas masterpiece was entitled The Summa (The Five Ways). In what follows, we would be critically discussing the first, second, fourth and the fifth pillars of his argument while reserving a more elaborate discussion on the third premise as it contains the composite argument of the entire thesis and because it was practically, reinforced and embodied the very paradigm of his cosmological arguments. This paper would explain the Cosmological Argument and present the opposing view to the argument with an evaluation of the argument in conclusion.

Exegesis

The first one, derived from the argument of motion, stipulates that for bodies to be in motion, they have to be moved by other bodies. Since it is contended that the two states of being potential and actual are mutually exclusive, it is not possible for a mover and the moved to be the same, i.e. automated movement is axiomatically ruled out. The second postulate is in terms of the nature of efficient causes. This posits that, it is not possible for a thing to become an efficient cause for itself. For an efficient cause, there has to be a first cause, proceeding an intermediate cause. Hence, if there were no first cause, there would be no intermediate or ultimate causes. (Aquinas, 100-101) The fourth principle hinges on the gradation of different things in the world from less good to good, noble etal. Just as there are gradational conditionality in different physical properties of things, (from being in the states of hot, hotter and hottest), Aquinas, held God to be ultimate something, which was the cause of other beings down the causal order, as the primordial embodiment of goodness and other means of perfection. The fifth principle was based on the idea of governance in that, Aquinas argued, just as natural bodies, bereft of knowledge, acted in terms of an underlying objective. This actually is the design, to achieve a best end, there existed some intelligent being, as the repository of all the superior knowledge and perception, referred to as God, who directed natural things, down the physical order, to move towards their respective ends.

The third postulate is ideated in terms of the twin pillars of necessity and possibility. Aquinas premised that in nature, things are possible to be or not to be, i.e. they are contingent viz., they are generated, mutated/corrupted and may or may not necessarily exist. Following this principle of contingency, it may be argued that if all things can go out of existence and do not necessarily exist, and then there must be a time when all things would go out of existence. Here, Aquinas appealed to the Principle of Plentitude. This principal stated that if something was a real possibility, then allowing the passage of an infinite amount of time, it was eminently possible as per the logical conclusion.

Opposing view

In his refutation of the Cosmological Proof of the Existence of God, Kant had, in effect, contended that extraction of a commensurate object from a purely arbitrary idea was an unnatural procedure and an exercise in scholastic subtlety. The fulcrum of the cosmological proof of Gods existence rested, according to Kant, on two essential components. The first one is the advocate of the argument initially sought to establish the existence of a necessary being viz., If something exists, then an absolutely necessary being must also exist. (Kant, 507) The rational cosmologist then sought to infer that this necessary being is the ens realissimum (the idea of supremely real being). According to Kant, the above automatic identification, somewhat surreptitiously introduced the (dialectical) ontological argument.

Evaluation

The chain of command of essential continuation itself would need a rationalization for its continuation. This conclusion states that everything could go out of existence at once, such as now, if the same was taken as a snapshot splice in the eternal flow of time. However, such a thought was empirically incongruous since we have the confirmation of existent elements which could be sensually professed. Even if someone argued that it could be because everything vanished out of existence, only to come back into existence, Aquinas contended this from the principle of ex nihilo, nihil fit. In other words, if something vanished out of existence; it could not pop back into existence. Therefore, not all things could be contingent. (Craig, 201)

Conclusion

The Cosmological Arguments Third Way of Aquinas argued logically for the existence of a God, but did not emphasize on the customary benevolent perception of a Judeao-Christian God. Aquinas tried to even out this imbalance by contending that by dint of being self-explaining, necessary existence would by nature embody the attributes of nobility suggested to epitomize the very point of perfection (Fourth Point) and chart everything lower down the order according to a grand system of design (the teleological principle of the Fifth Point).

Works Cited

Aquinas, Thomas. The Cosmological Argument. NY: Pocket, 1995.

Craig, William Lane; The Kalam Cosmological Argument. LA: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2000.

Kant, Emmanuel. The Impossibility of a Cosmological proof of Existence of Good. Chapter III. Kants Reason of Pure Reason. Westport: IBL, 1989, pp 507-519.

Introduction

To begin with, when we think about Hinduism, we think about the holy scriptures like The Bhagavad Gita, The Ramayana, Mahabharata, when we read this we get lots of confusion, so many superficials things which do not make any sense and then most of us lose interest. The sole reason for this is because we are reading a book of Shakespeare without knowing the basic English language or Alphabets. So due to our own ignorance of the basics we blame the books and claim it has no clarity. Vedas are the basics of Hinduism, if we don’t learn or get a glimpse of it, we are never going to understand Hinduism which is actually Sanathana Dharma( Moral Way of Life) and Vedas means The Eternal Knowledge or Truth which is forever existing from the very beginning until now.

What are The Vedas?

To understand Rig Veda, you just have to rewire your brain and get rid of all social conditionings, Imagine you are born alone and there is no one to guide you in this world, no humans, no books, no religion, no schools, you are like Mowgly or Tarzan just living alone and exploring the Earth. So what all do you see? You see the Sun, Stars, Moon, Sky, Fire etc and these things are helping you live now and then, so the ancient people, our very own ancestors personified these nature and principles as deities as they wanted to show their gratitude, love, oneness with these things they saw in nature which is helping them live on Earth. Most Hindus have forgotten these deities especially the Deity INDRA DEV (The Thunder, The Storm, The lightning etc. was personified into INDRA, who is seen as the main deity cause of the power it creates on Earth) Then comes Deity AGNI DEV ( The Fire, which was used for many things and also as a portal to talk to nature and spirits). Varuna ( The Sky, The rains, The clouds, Sea etc) Deity SURYA DEV (The Sun, which is sustaining all beings on Earth) Deity Prithvi Devi ( Mother Earth herself ) there are other deities but the most prominent Visible Nature Deities were INDRA, AGNI, SURYA, VARUNA and PRITHVI MATA(Mother Earth).

So RIG VEDA basically tells us about these deities, Yajur Veda basically talks to us about how to salute, show gratitude, worship, love these nature deities Sama Veda is basically the poetic/singing version of Rig Veda and Yajur Veda Then we have the Atharva Veda which is basically about how as humans we have to coexist, love, share and how to live in a community in unity without causing harms to others including nature, animals and humans.

Who are the Trimurthis

( BRAHMA, VISHNU, RUDRA )

Our very own ancestors like how they personified nature they personified the phenomenas of nature and universe as deities. Brahma ( The Creation, creator) Vishnu ( The maintainer, preserver) Rudra (The Destroyer, The Destruction) and all these phenomenas are within us, to make you understand the closest thing we have is our body so there is creation (BRAHMA) happening within our body, new cells, bloods etc) Our body is being maintained (VISHNU) , blood circulations and other things which sustains our body. There is many things being destroyed(RUDRA) within our body, cells, tissues etc. Now if you consider these three prominent phenomenas, its happening not just within our body, its happening all around the earth, the universe, the cosmos and whatever exists. There are other phenomenas personified as Deities too but these three are the main. So our ancestors thought why not be grateful/show salutation, worship them as well as long as we are alive. How grateful they were with everything that was sustaining their lives that they saw divinity in everything.

Who is SHIVA & SHAKTI?

This is the most interesting, because we are all a part and descendants of Shiva and Shakti and we can live like them entirely , wondering how?

When all these so called deities of nature/principles/phenomenas be it (INDRA,AGNI,VARUNA,PRITHVI,SURYA, BRAHMA VISHNU, RUDRA etc) joined together the first Sacred Human formed our very first ANCESTOR, SHIVA, THE ADIYOGI, THE FIRST GURU who gave all the human beings knowledge of MEDITATION, YOGA, HOW TO LOVE & MAKE LOVE(TANTRA),MEDICINES AND HERBS (AYURVEDA) WHAT TO EAT, ARCHERY(Use of weapons for protecting ourselves and people around us)HOW TO PROTECT NATURE, BREATHING TECHNIQUES, HOW TO TALK, SING & DANCE, HOW TO LOVE ANIMALS AND OTHER LIVINGS BEINGS, HOW TO COEXIST IN A COMMUNITY IN UNITY by his own way of living along with his consort SHAKTI ( THE SACRED FEMININE HUMAN Who was also formed the same way and is equal and same as SHIVA, thats how the term ShivaShakti is derived, it means the synthesis of masculine and feminine energies of the Universe symbolizing that both cannot be without the other, one is incomplete in the absence of the other and how sacred making love is as once SHIVASHAKTI was making love the whole universe trembled , it signifies how powerful and sacred sexual energy is which is seen as a taboo now and people suppress or misuse it. I would recommend all married couple embrace and learn tantra/kamasutra to reach their full potential as ONE. Meditation – All the inventions and discoveries were brought into this world by great minds in deep meditative state, concentration and focus is a very powerful tool we have, we have to sharpen it. Yoga- taking care of ones Body, any activities related to fitness was formed through this very knowledge of Yoga. Treat your body like a sacred temple. So basically ShivaShakti through their life and by their teachings taught how powerful and infinite our mind, thoughts and body is and SHIVASHAKTI teachings are infinite, Now what is wrong in showing respect, devotion, gratitude to such a LEGENDARY CONSORTIUM. We all have mastered of art of distraction and have been self centered that most of us don’t even remember our grand parents names, and the way of life

is not just to worship or thank them, we are all born to live that way, once we start living their way, we don’t need to die to go to heaven, we can turn this Mother Earth into the Heaven which it was.

Did Shiva smoke Marijuana?

There is another common notion that depicts Shiva as smoking Cannabis/Marijuana. In his Ayurvedic teachings he has named many herbal medicines and a drink named soma was made using many herbs including Shilajit, Marijuana, Ephedra and few other plants, the ingredients are not fully known to most mankind now but like everything else people justify smoking marijuana sayin Shiva smoked, not in any teachings they embrace or suggest smoke inside our lungs, consuming it moderately mixed with a drink(Soma) it could be known as Ayahuasca now, cause both have similar way of preparation and helps to enhance spiritual realm.

What are Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita

So once Shiva disappears to Mount Kailash ( The mountain which no man ever conquered) he is known to be Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent. During ancient days the knowledge were called Shrutis as they were all passed directly to the ears of disciples (Saptharishis). There was no need to write it down as they had very powerful intellect, memory and minds those days, when ages passed on some rishis( One being Ved Vyasa) foresaw the future generations won’t be able to memorize long and broad information and they started to write it down and thus formed the Upanishads(Meaning read it and be free from the illusion and delusion of reality) which is derived from the Atharvaveda (How to live in this world, ethics, principles) They wrote it as poems and stories, to make it more interesting for their disciples/students, they created marvelous and superficial characters and stories in a beautiful way that made people believe they were real or they praised people who lived closest to Shiva’s Way of life or to the Sanathana Dharma. We as humans can learn from good and bad things people do, so when we see someone doing wrong we have the conscience to know its wrong and stay way from it. Why I emphasize on this is most people ask me why should I worship Lord Ram, he left his wife after questioning her virtuousness or virginity ( This is a lesson for all Men, that we should’t disrespect a woman or question her virtuousness, we shall lose everything if we do) at the same time (It’s a lesson for woman as well that they should maintain their chastity, dignity and be virtuous to their husband) Basically I recommend people not to give importance to these characters and give more importance to the morals and principles they convey through the story. It is like people are worshipping/idolizing Einstein but has no idea what E=mc2 is. If you read these books as moral science without judgements, you would actually get the fruit of it. These characters represented how powerful( Hanuman) , wise(Krishna) , righteous(Sita), Truthful( Harishchandra) we can be in our lives. I would recommend all of us to focus on their way of life, and try to live by these principles. There is no major advantage for anything and any of us in this world by merely worshipping them but living the opposite versions of theirs.

What is caste system why does it exist?

Caste system is a social norm which still exists in modern days in different names and concepts. Ancient society created it and categorized Priests and Academics as Brahmins, Warriors and Kings as Kshatriyas, Merchants and Landowners as Vaishya, Commoners,Peasants, Servants as Sudras and Sweepers, Latrin cleaners, Laborers as Dalits. Even in the modern days people are categorized in different professions ranging from CEO, DIRECTORS, MANAGERS, SUPERVISORS, FOREMAN, WORKERS/LABOURERS also Doctors, Engineers, Entrepreneurs are given special status. Even in modern days when asked to treat people in all professions with due respect people still discrimination is there in any country, hardly we would find any CEO having lunch with a Janitor. And also its clearly mentioned that a Brahmin is a brahmin not by birth but his way of living and his deeds. Intercaste marriages were a issue because if you look at current situation as well it would be a challenge for a CEO of company to marry and live with a janitor as their lifestyles and thinking would be different. It is never mentioned it is not allowed, if two people are willing to sacrifice everything for their love and need to be together it is the way to go and through many Puranas they have showed how beautiful relations were when wealth and social status didn’t matter in marriage as there were many Rishis who lived happily though they married from different caste/social category. Some people transformed and altered the teachings and beliefs for their own self interest and to maintain their social status. In the very ancient times there were only three categories which were Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas later on people added just like how even in modern days new job roles and positions are added.

Why so many religions and beliefs?

I respect all religions and their teachings, all of them is giving knowledge to humans and has their own way of life, I don’t want to comment further about it or about all religions because I haven’t deeply studied all of them but according to my perception, some learnt few aspects of Hinduism , if we take the instance of Buddha, as Buddhism is derived from Hinduism itself, Buddha was more attracted to the meditation aspects in Shiva’s Teaching, Buddha did’t want to have a family, so left his wife and kid and passed on his teachings incorporating his self-interest in it. Buddhism is a beautiful religion or teaching if you are only interested in meditating and living. Question is is that all you want in this life? On the other hand OSHO created his own culture just using the Tantric aspects in Shiva’s Teaching again he was more inclined to sex and love making aspect and he formed a culture or belief. Now you can use your own rational thinking and conscience and find the answers to the question. Shiva is still worshipped by other religions in different names, forms and systems , just like how its mentioned in the Rig Veda 3000BC, Truth is One: Sages call it by various names, Systems of faiths maybe different, But God is One!

I would like to remind all of us Shiva never asked us to follow any religion, books or writing, live life the way he lived and you shall find all the answers, all the truth is within us, use our own consciousness and explore it and the world shall be a better place for all livings beings, nature and for humans. Nature has proved us already that we don’t need to protect nature, she knows to protect herself. Now our duty is to protect ourselves by living like how our ancestors lived seeing God in whole of nature and causing no harm to Mother Earth. When organized religions ask me to join them, I respect them and their beliefs but when I have access to infinite knowledge without any restrictions, when Shiva guided me with all aspects of life emphasizing on universe is within you, God, truth and knowledge is within you and see God in everyone why should I limit myself? I believe Shiva is OMNIPOTENT (Having Unlimited power) OMNISCIENT (All Knowing) OMNIPRESENT (PRESENT EVERYWHERE) AND ARUPA, RUPA-ARUPA and SWARUPA ( Which means he is formless, He forms emerging from the formless and also with a form)

Declaration

I hereby humbly declare that the above thesis consists only the very basics of ancient Vedas, the knowledge and information is infinite and covers many other aspects of life, science, universe and chemistry etc. I’ve discussed just the ABCD of Vedas and Sanathana Dharma.

I’m ready for an argumentation through peaceful exchange of views with any world renowned spiritual leaders or religious scholars including SadhGuru, Zakir Naik, Dalai Lama(14th) or anyone who has a contradiction with my thesis/revelation. I’m eligible in my own ways, and I can also prove how some of the world scholars or spiritual leaders are ineligible as they still haven’t conquered their anger, aggression and agitation when asked adverse questions. I’ve learned psychology as well and just to give everyone an insight, if you observe most of the spiritual/religious scholars they use Truman’s law of ”If you cant convince them, confuse them through manipulative and irrelavant phrases or sentences. I don’t have to be a spiritual leader or change my name to propagate my philosophy I shall always be known by my birth name Abhiram which means: Lord Shiva, the most handsome and pleasing and giver of pleasure. I shall answer all of your questions with a genuine smiling face.

Judaism, as a living religion has grown and developed over time and influences the lives of its adherents through aspects of their principal beliefs and core ethical teachings. This is due to significant people such as Moses Maimonides and core ethical teachings such as sexual ethics, which heavily contribute greatly to making Judaism a living religion as it allows adherents of Judaism to deeply interact with these characteristics of the Jewish religious tradition

Moses Maimonides (1135-1204) significantly contributed to the development of Judaism as a living tradition. His written literary works including the Commentary on the Mishnah Torah, Mishneh Torah and the Guide for the Perplexed, which guided Jewish adherents by giving them a deeper insight into how they should act and worship God in their daily lives. The commentary on the Mishnah torah provided a summary of each parts of the Mishnah. This had a major impact to the development and expression of Judaism as the commentary on the Mishnah also made Jewish law easily accessible without large amounts of Talmud study. It was also written in Arabic, which made it accessible to Jewish adherent living in Arabic areas. The commentary of the Mishnah also remains relevant today as it included the “Thirteen articles of faith” which is still used as a foundation to Jewish faith and is based on the Migdal prayer, which is often he closing prayer of Friday evening service at Sephardic gatherings and is significant for Jewish adherents as it reminds them of God’s power.

Furthermore, the Mishnah torah contained another 13 books detailing Jewish civil and ritual laws on practices. Maimonides summarised the Talmud and re-organised the discussion of mitzvot into 14 logical sections. This significantly impacted the development and expression of Judaism as it enabled Jewish adherents to know how to act in a given situation without reference to the Talmud and all people could relate to his code of Jewish law as it was clear and logical. As past writings were randomly arranged and were difficult to follow, the Mishnah Torah was set out in a more logical way, making it easier for adherents to understand. As a result, a full range of Jewish law was made more accessible and relevant. For example, the 8 Degrees of Tzedakah, states how Jews can live out the Torah through charity. The highest degree is to “to strengthen the hand of a Jew who is poor” so that “the person will not need to ask for assistance from others. The Mishnah torah has also impacted Judaism’s development and expression, as they are still relevant and influential today as it set the foundations of the 16th century code of Jewish law by Joseph Karo and modern rabbis base their legal decisions on the code of the 16th century law that was influenced by Maimonides and the Mishnah torah has become a part of the orthodox liturgy. Moreover, the “Guide for the Perplexed” addressed the relationship between religion and philosophy to demonstrate that Jewish beliefs had a sound basis in rational thought. Therefore, helping to enhance Jewish thought and helped the validity of Judaism from the threats of classical philosophy. The guide for the perplexed significantly impacted the development and expression of Judaism as showed that faith were compatible and encouraged Jewish adherents to base their faith on reason. It also enabled Judaism to withstand the threat from philosophy by showing that it could be open to intellectual debate and inspection. The book also makes the religion applicable to modern society as Jewish and non-Jewish philosophers continue to study it and it is considered one of the great philosopher’s works. Thus, the literary writings by Moses Maimonides have inevitably impacted Judaism’s development and expression, as they are still relevant and influential today.

Ethics can be defined as principles of morality which distinguish right from wrong in the context of human life. Religious traditions maintain significance in their ability to lay foundational ethical teachings for adherents. Sexual ethics in Judaism provides guidance for sexual behaviour and seek to establish correct codes for sexual behaviour. Sexual ethics including the general attitude towards sex, premarital and extramarital sex, contraception and homosexuality evoke a variety of responses from different Jewish variants due to different understandings and create varying issues based off core Jewish teachings. In regards to the general attitude of sex, Jewish adherents believe that sexual relationships should be reserved for and expressed within the significant practice of marriage. Jewish adherents also believe that the mutual satisfaction of sexual desire between a husband and wife is a mitzvah, as it is seen to reinforce the bonds of love and attachment. Jewish adherents also believe that husband and wife are companions in a relationship designed to create a family and mutual comfort. Marriage is Kiddushin (holiness) and a celibate or unmarried life is considered wrong as it is reneging on the ideal expressed within the creation story. Divorce is permitted in Judaism and is called a ‘get’. Attitudes towards divorce differ among Jewish variants, but it is generally not ideal, for “it is not good that a man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18.) Progressive teachings express a more liberal approach.

Furthermore, Jewish adherents firmly believe that the covenant of marriage is to be devoted and faithful to your partner and sexual relations should be expressed within the covenant of marriage “Thou shall not commit adultery” (7th commandment) and adherents believe that committing the act of adultery denigrates the sacredness of marriage. Furthermore, many Jewish adherents believe extramarital sex takes sex outside of the loving, caring and committed relationship as the word for ‘sex’ in Judaism literally translates to ‘to know’ ais taught that the ideal unit for this concept to be expressed is marriage, meaning that sexual intercourse has immense spiritual significance and should thus only occur in a relationship where loyalty and fidelity is present.

Furthermore, contraception is the use of a physical (condom) or chemical device to interfere with the normal process of conception so that pregnancy does not develop. In Judaism, one main purposes of marriage is procreation and commandment to marry and have children. “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). As such, contraception is not encouraged especially among Orthodox Jews and is forbidden to waste ‘the seed’. The methods of contraception allowed under Jewish law are those that do not damage the sperm or stop it from reaching its intended destination. Female birth control pill is favoured as male contraceptive methods such as condoms ‘waste the seed’. The use of condoms are seen to block the passage of semen and reduce the pleasure husband and wife get from sex and so interfere with the marital purposes of intercourse. Condoms are also rejected because they interfere with becoming ‘one flesh’ “And he shall cleave to his wife and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). This ethical teaching differs among the variants due to their interpretation of the Torah. Progressive take a more liberal view as they take into account modern context. The modern orthodox position permits the use of contraception in cases when pregnancy or childbirth may harm the mother and if limiting the number of children is for the benefit of the existing family and to delay or space out having children. However, a married couple should not use contraception for the selfish reason of avoidance. In recent times such as with the outbreak of sexually transmitted infections (STI’S) and AIDS, the progressive and conservative variants have been willing to adapt their teachings to suit modern concepts. The sexual issue of homosexuality differs in Judaism. Due to the firm belief in Judaism that one of main purposes of marriage is to procreate, homosexuality is forbidden and is considered ‘wasting the seed’ and many believe homosexual acts refutes the commandment to marry and have children. This view differs among the variants due to their interpretation of the Torah. The torah forbids male homosexuality, although there is nothing said about female acts. In the book of Leviticus, there are two verses that relate directly to male homosexuality. ‘Do not lie with a male as one lies with a woman; it is an abhorrence’ and ‘If a man lies with a male as one lies with a woman, the two of them have done an abhorrent thing, they shall be put to death. Some believe that the use of such strong language in the Torah is because the homosexual lifestyle is one in which conception is not possible, and thus is not considered to be the ‘natural’ process for sexual intercourse. Some also believe homosexuality undermines the Jewish ideal of family that is articulated in the Torah. Progressive and conservative Jewish adherents are more likely to accept homosexuality, though even strictly Orthodox adherents distinguish between homosexual orientation and homosexual acts. In contemporary Judaism, homosexually oriented individuals are discouraged from the physical expression. The progressive Jewish community for the most part, understand the reality of sexual orientation as something that is beyond simple personal preference. Thus, these issues challenge Jewish ethical teachings which are based on respect for God’s creation, marriage, procreation and faithfulness. These ethical teachings provide adherents with clarification and guidance on how to live a moral and faithful Jewish life.

In conclusion, it is clear that significant people such as Moses Maimonides and core ethical teachings such as sexual ethic heavily contribute greatly to making Judaism a living religion as it allows adherents of Judaism to deeply interact with these characteristics of the Jewish religious tradition.

Indian customs and ordinary life influence Hinduism through meditation practices while Hinduism influences the society with Hindu based festivals, a specific nourishment, art and beliefs.

Religion is theology, faith,and worship but religion is also a way of life. It is powerful, persuasive, and more importantly has an image. When you think of a religion an image comes to your mind that sometimes helps you differentiate and remember multiple religions. Each religion is associated with distinct characteristics that tends to shape the view of a religion to both followers and unfollowers. After reading chapter four of “God Is Not One: the Eight Rival Religions That Run the World” when I think of Hinduism I simply paint a picture in my head of excessive amounts of vivid colors and intricate rituals and stories. Now even myself not living in India or a follower of this belief associates this way of life with how homeowners in India go through their daily routines. With such a large amount of Hindus habitating in India it tends to overpower the individual and social life of the residents through the different ritual practices and traditions done throughout the year and day to day life. From the moment Hindus wake up to when they fall asleep there are several practices they perform each and every day.

Beginning the day with a meditation as a thank you to their god for waking up and to start the day with propitious. They perform a daily ritual at the family mandir, temple, to show how important God is to them which is called Puja. After it is completed they typically would sit down to eat. Due to the principle of ahisma, meaning non-injury, most Hindus are vegetarian and follow a lactovegetarian diet which means meat, poultry, and fish are not allowed only milk products. Beef is also forbidden, as the cow is considered sacred in Hinduism. With this way of feeding so largely present in the country,the traditional and popular cuisine almost always fall under this diet. In addition to regular responsibilities of a Hindu for a career/education they perform 5 daily duties to help guide a person through everyday life in a pleasant and holy way. Even though Hindu worship is individualised, rather than communal, as it involves a personal donative, family members tend to gather together to pray a minimum of three times a day either at home or in a temple.

Hinduism not only affects an individuals life in India but also has a great influence on the social life of the country. With such a large population of Hindus practice of the caste system it explains India’s stratification system. Rewinding to 1500 BCE when the Aryans migrated into the Indian subcontinent they had created this system of classifying people into four main groups: brahmins or priests, kshatriyas or warriors and aristocrats, vaishyas or peasants and merchants, and shudras or serfs. Hinduism applies this strict social hierarchy that makes it impractical to move outside of their social station. The isolation of the main groups was seen as a base for Hinduism which came with a Hindu myth that the god named Purusha was assembled out of the four classifications with the brahmins or priest being the head and the shudras or serfs as the feet.

The Hinduism religion continues to prosper in modern day India through evolution. It influences the Indian society through everyday life and the community with temples, beliefs, Hindu-inspired festivals, and a definite type of art. Many Indian laws would not exist if it weren’t for Hinduism. For example, the law that bans killing cows because of the deep respect Hindus have of cows. It also is the reason for how poverty is viewed throughout the country. Not only is the customs of Indian life evolving with the influence of Hinduism but Hinduism is evolving from a mixture of Indian customs and traditions.

Topic 2: The Meditations don’t just prove the existence of God once, but twice. What are these arguments and what is the relationship between them? In what sense is God foundational for the metaphysics Descartes elaborates in his great work? What are some objections to his view? Are they compelling? Your goal in this essay is to assess Descartes’ argument(s) for the existence of God and to arrive at your own conclusions regarding its persuasiveness. At a minimum, your essay must rely on textual evidence from Meditations 3 and 5 to make its case.

In Meditations, Rene Descartes comes to the conclusion that he exists, with the statement; “I think therefore I am”, and that becomes the ‘Archimedean point’ on which he expands further concrete knowledge. This epistemic foundationalism enables Descartes to attempt to prove not only that God is real, but that we are able to trust our senses. In this essay, I will discuss the two proofs that Descartes proposes for the existence of God and argue whether these proofs are legitimate, and how persuasive they are.

Arguments for the existence of god

Descartes provides two arguments that prove the existence of God, the cosmological argument (Meditation three), and the ontological one (Meditation five). For the cosmological argument, Descartes used a mathematical approach, by using the concept of infinity. The idea that Descartes had was that we cannot have a concept of something without its opposite (such as light and darkness), and thus, we cannot have a concept of finitude without infinity. What Descartes is attempting to explain with this, is that certainty comes from the mind and not from the senses. First of all, through introspection, Descartes distinguishes formal and objective reality;

I am a substance, it seems possible that they are contained in me eminently […] for although the idea of substance is in me by virtue of the fact that I am a substance, that fact is not sufficient to explain my having the idea of an infinite substance, since I am finite, unless this idea proceeded from some substance which really was infinite (1641, p.51).

This knowledge of himself becomes his Archimedean point, off of which he comes to the conclusion that .therefore, Descartes looks for answers from his own mind, and not from his senses, as his mind is what he can be certain of. Descartes phrases it this way;

I have no choice but to conclude that the mere fact of my existing and of there being in me an idea of a most perfect being, that is, God, demonstrates most evidently that God too exists (1641, p.53)

The interesting part about this sentence is that Descartes expresses that he has no choice, he has proven to himself that his mind produces true answers about the world, and thus, he must believe that the concept of God is not only real but necessary.

The second proof that Descartes presents in Meditation five, is ontological, that is, relating to existence. He argues that some things are necessary, and to illustrate this, he uses mathematics once more; a triangle’s “three angles are equal to two right angles” (1641, p.58), and he does not need to sense this to know that it is a fact, he can logically come to that conclusion using intellect alone; “their truth is so open and so much in accord with my nature that […] I am not so much learning something new as recalling something I knew beforehand” (1641, p.58). This enables him to argue that since he cannot imagine “God except as existing”, just like he can’t imagine a “mountain without a valley”, God’s existence becomes necessary (1641, p.59). He goes on to explain how he can imagine a god that doesn’t exist, but that would then not make him a God, as that imaginary God would simply be a “perfect being without a supreme perfection” (1641, p.60) which does not make sense. In essence, Descartes argues that existence is superior to non-existence, God is a perfect being, thus God must exist.

God as a foundation for metaphysics

In the historical context that Descartes is writing in, God and faith is still a major part of education and society. Having received a religious education, Descartes was arguably susceptible to religious bias. Moreover, it would be favorable for him to prove the existence of God, as it would give him a major foundation for knowledge. Hypothetically, if God exists, Descartes can confirm that he is thus not a ‘brain in a vat’ and that there is no evil genius that is controlling our senses as god is benevolent and would not trick our senses. However, one can argue that God could trick the senses in an act of benevolence. The 1999 movie The Matrix Directed by the Wachowski sisters, discusses this idea of experiencing life through an induced and collective dream. In this scenario, individuals get to experience a dream world, with no idea of the disastrous state of the earth. A limited number of people get the opportunity to choose whether they want to keep dreaming or live in the real world. It is much simpler to go with the dream; “Truth, like light, blinds. Falsehood, on the contrary, is a beautiful twilight that enhances every object.” (Camus 1957, p.36). This idea of falsehood being more attractive than truth is something that has been discussed extensively through the literature, great thinkers from the past and today have argued that it is a considerable challenge to face the truth relentlessly. The question here is whether Descartes can relentlessly pursue the truth, putting aside bias, and possibly happiness (in the form of bliss).

Objections to Descartes view on God

When Descartes proposed his ‘logical’ proof for the existence of God, the Church did not approve. Only a decade earlier, Galileo was condemned for proving the heliocentric model over the current geocentric theory, the fact was, the Church did not approve of views that did not conform with the faith.

George Orwell came up with a term that describes having to opposed beliefs and believing both. This term is ‘Doublethink’. I would argue that it is possible that Descartes used his intelligence, and combined it with his beliefs, in order to argue, and believe the proofs that he presents to us on God’s existence. Indeed, in Meditation five, Descartes writes; “Nothing seems more pressing than that I try to free myself from the doubts into which I fell a few days ago” (1641, p.58). Arguably, he sees this lack of knowledge as constraining, and perhaps rushes to a familiar ‘truth’; God exists.

The most persuasive of Descartes arguments is perhaps the idea that we can not conceive of something that is unreal, or that doesn’t have an opposite state. However, it is easily countered by bringing up fantasy beings. That being said, the idea of a dragon, or flying horse is based on things that do exist, it is very hard indeed to come up with something uninspired from reality. On the other hand, some things that are real are also hard to conceptualize, such as a 4th dimension (which can be explained, mathematically, but cannot be easily imagined). Furthermore, there are psychotic states that humans can enter, where the mind is not a reliable source of information. Notably, people suffering from schizophrenia, experience false senses which are constructed through a chemical imbalance in their brain.

In conclusion, I have found that the arguments Descartes proposes are somewhat convincing because of their mathematical logic. However, some would argue that one does not know that God exists, but believes so (and does so wholeheartedly). At least that is the traditional religious way of thinking. Associating God with logic proves to be a complicated task, that hasn’t been accepted by many (such as the Church or other philosophers), and Descartes proofs could be interpreted as an attempt to incorporate his religious background into his knowledge, using logical concepts.

Bibliography

1. Camus, A 1957, The Fall (Translated by J O’Brien), Vintage Books, New York.
2. Descartes, R 1641, Meditations on First Philosophy.
3. The Matrix 1999, dvd, Warner Bros, USA.

Homer’s epic poem, The Iliad, depicts the prominent conflict between the Achaeans and the Trojans. The Iliad and The Odyssey have become staples in universal literature and the foundation of Greek culture to many. In both works, Homer implicitly celebrates the role he plays as a performer and conduit from the Gods “who have their homes on Olympos” (75,18), giving rise to a question I repeatedly asked myself: “Why does Homer invoke the assistance of Gods and Muses in The Iliad to aid his poetry?”. The exploration of the impact and function of the “blessed” (84,339) and yet “blameworthy” (121,164) Gods and Muses in the two poems is necessary to thoroughly disentangle the complexity of the matter.

Immediately, we can consider the openings of The Iliad and The Odyssey in that respective order. Homer invokes the muse in the first line of The Iliad,“Sing, goddess, the anger of Peleus’ son Achilleus/ and its devastation”(75,1), putting forward the notion that he isn’t just telling us a story but instead channelling divine forces. Similarly, in the opening of The Odyssey, Homer prays to the Muses “tell me how he wandered and was lost when he had wrecked the holy town of Troy”(105,2), and therefore uses the Gods to inform the readers of Odysseus’ situation. Homer is conscious that he wants to sing the Wrath of Achilles however he clearly requires the Muses’ help to give him entree into this unspeakably long tale at the perfect moment. I imagine that Homer employs the Muses to embed a starting point for the exploration of the general setting in his epic poems; however, they essentially execute the poems and unfold stories of the individual character’s to the readers. These introductory invocations serve to place the specific themes studied in the poems, such as ‘rage and hubris’ and ‘the glorification versus the critique of war’, enclosed by a broader framework aided by the desire and ability of the Gods and Muses. One can illustrate this as Homer revealing that the Gods spend their time writing the epic poems and that he only serves as the mouthpiece or performer, which is why it surprises me how much this technique has lionized Homer’s role and status.

The most extensive exhibition of Homer’s invocations is the ten lines introducing the famously debated ‘catalogue of ships’ in The Iliad, where“Twenty-nine Greek contingents, totaling 1,186 ships are listed, with the description spiraling outward from Boeotia in central Greece” (525,496). Homer emphasizes the magnitude of the host in a sequence of similes, “Like the multitudinous nations of swarming insects who drive hither and thither about the stalls of the sheepfold in the season of spring when the milk splashes in the milk pails” (105,469), and then suggests to list the names of the chiefs. What seems most interesting about the scene is not so much the inspiration for colorful and exiting language, nor the conversation surrounding the origins and poetics of the catalogue, but rather that he explicitly stops and invokes the Muses to help him with this unsettling task: “Tell me now, you Muses who have your homes on Olympos. For you, who are goddesses, are there, and you know all things, […] Who then of those were the chief men and the lords of the Danaäns? I could not tell over the multitude of them nor name them, not if I had ten tongues and ten mouths, not if I had a voice never to be broken and a heart of bronze within me, not unless the Muses of Olympia, […] remembered all those who came beneath Ilion.” (105,484).

The repetition of Homer’s requests of the Muses only signify the importance of the aid and assistance he receives, however I do not believe the invocation is simply a demand for knowledge, but also his own unique fabrication of ‘recusatio’, a dissent to give a complete demonstration of intricate matters. This interpretation is supported by the scene in The Odyssey where Helen of Troy tells Telemachus a story about his father: “I cannot tell you all the challenges steadfast Odysseus has undergone. But I will tell you what that brave man did at Troy, when the Achaeans were in trouble.” (159,240).We can clearly see this unusual need to be selective, which would indicate that without Muses, we would never have these Homeric poems. Although this scene demonstrates Homer’s need for the Muses and Gods to aid his craft, it does not tell us why he needs them. Why does Homer depend on the Muses? Who are they and does he use them to extend responsibility?

Perhaps by becoming this blind bard through the help of the Muses, he is able to better tell the story of Troy in different narratives, without the fear of failure. One can also infer that the function of the Muses is not solely for instruction but also selection; it’s possible that the through the oral tradition at which The Iliad is assumed to have been preformed, the Muses’ role was to cut down the story to practicable, important figures.

The role of gods in The Odyssey was to use their powers to help or hinder the lives of people. When using their powers, it determined the events that would later occur in this story. In the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer, he shows that gods can and will do whatever they want to help or hinder people’s lives. This is one of the most prevalent themes in the epic. There are multiple ways in which the gods showcased this theme.

One of the main ways they changed people’s lives is through force. The wind god Aeolus helps the soldiers get home after the battle at Troy. Aeolus uses his powers to help soldiers get back home. “Never once did the wind fail, once the god had set it blowing.”(74-79) When Aeolus causes the winds to blow faster and stronger, it helps the boat sail faster and safer. Another example of gods using force is when Poseidon makes Odysseus’ trip back to Ithaca difficult. Polyphemus says “Hear me, Poseidon who circle the earth, dark-haired. If truly I am your son, and you acknowledge yourself as my father, grant that Odysseus, sacker of cities, son of Laertes, who makes his home in Ithaca, may never reach that home.” (528-536). Poseidon acknowledges this and is now going to do everything in his power to make Odysseus’ trip back to Ithaca difficult. Overall, whenever gods use force, it is to contribute to an already good thing, or to make life for people difficult.

The second instances of gods changing people’s lives by using their powers and authority to change the future. In one scenario Zeus, makes it clear that Odysseus will return home. “Odysseus shall come back by the convoy neither of the gods nor of mortal people, but he shall sail on a jointed raft and, suffering hardships.’ (100-101). Already, Zeus has determined Odysseus’ future. It doesn’t matter what the gods do, no matter what. Odysseus will get back home. Another example of god’s helping people using the future is when Odysseus is informed by a goddess that he will suffer hardships. He knows the future has obstacles he must face. ‘Ah me unhappy, what in the long outcome will befall me? I fear the goddess might have spoken the truth in all ways when she said that on the sea and before I came to my country I would go through hardships’ (299-305). Odysseus knows that he will have to go through hardships. This motivates him even more to get back home to see his son, wife, and kingdom. If the goddess would’ve never informed him of his future, he might not have the motive and decide to take the easy out, instead of working hard towards his goals. In conclusion, knowing the future can help people because it will change their mindset to achieve their goal.

The third way god’s help people is physically helping them in person. They show up in real life to help people. Athena shows up in person after Odysseus comes back home. She says ‘But come now, let me make you so that no mortal can recognize you. For I will wither the handsome flesh that is on your flexible limbs, and ruin the brown hair on your head.’ (396-403). Athena helps Odysseus by changing him into a beggar. Because he will be a beggar no one will know that the beggar is Odysseus. Not only does Athena talks to Odysseus, she talks to Telemachus in person. She says “Telemachos, you are to be no thoughtless man, no coward, if truly the strong force of your father is instilled in you; such a man he was for accomplishing word and action.” (267-272) She says this to motivate him to be like his father. She wants him to be heroic and do the right thing. In conclusion, when a god or goddess shows up in real life to help, it is to give people advice, or aid the people in their objective by using their powers.

Gods or goddesses can help or hindered people’s lives in many ways such using force, through seeing the future, or physically helping people in person. The first way gods or goddess helped people was through force. They would use their powers to do this. Whenever the powers where used, it would change the climate or create challenges for characters to endure. Secondly, they would see the future. When they see the future, they can change it or inform people so they can prepare for the future. Lastly, gods or goddess help or hinder people’s lives physically in person. Often times, if a god or goddess meets a character in real life, the god or goddess has a really good intention of helping you. In conclusion, I think that gods and goddess have a lot of power in what people do in the story. They can whatever they want when they feel like it. Sometimes they will do something bad for the person or do something beneficial for the person.