The Impact of the Enlightenment on Religion- Reason vs. Revelation Debate

The Impact of the Enlightenment on Religion- Reason vs. Revelation Debate

Basic Principles and Ideas of the Enlightenment

The Enlightenment bases its ideas on rationality and reasoning as the source of legitimacy. The philosophical movement has two separate lines of thought. First, it supported ideals of tolerance, freedom, development, fraternity, and separation of the church and government. It argued that a community founded on reason instead of faith and religious doctrines should establish a civil structure based on laws (“Age Of Enlightenment,” n.p). Second, it sought the inclusivity of reforms and the traditional structures of influence and faith. Since the Enlightenment could not be categorized into a particular principle or set of doctrines, science emerged to play an influential role in Enlightenment discourse and opinion (Enlightenment, OpinionFaith, n.p). Besides, the philosophical movement facilitated political modernization in the West, enabling them to concentrate on democratic principles and the development of liberals (“Age Of Enlightenment,” n.p). Inevitably, the Enlightenment thinkers pursued to limit the influence of structured religion and thereby avoid another era of prejudiced religious war by promoting the thought of splitting the church and the government.

Are these ideas proven beyond a shadow of a doubt or simply reasonable?

These ideas from the Enlightenment are reasonable and rational thoughts from studying the existence of nature. Principally, philosophical thoughts basis their perspective on what they can see and evident in natural form.

Effects of the Enlightenment on the religious faith of people

The Enlightenment had intense effects on religion, especially with influences from two English thinkers, John Locke and Sir Isaac Newton. Locke argued that the mind is usually in a blank state and is developed and shaped by life experiences and surroundings. Newton, on the other hand, argued for gravity theories, claiming that a group of laws rules nature (Index, Content, and Worldview Philosophy, n.p). Consequently, many religious people found intellectual views consistent with religious thoughts. They used rational assumptions as a provision for God’s existence and compassion. However, it affected some religious believers, such as Protestants, differently, as the liberal Congregationalists and Anglicans condemned some principles about God’s nature. They claimed that He is compassionate rather than an arbitrary god (Enlightenment, OpinionFaith, n.p). Furthermore, it influenced the debate on the divinity of Christ and the salvation process. Another effect is that it influenced deism, a conviction that God created the world and acted as an observer of His creation. Over time, this philosophy was used to reject religious beliefs due to its rationality.

Has the Enlightenment been helpful or harmful to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam?

In my perspective, the Enlightenment instigated radical changes in people’s beliefs and understanding of life. This intellectual knowledge inspires different beliefs but, at the same time, promotes the freedom to decide which religious principles to accommodate (Index, Content, and Worldview Philosophy). In my viewpoint, the Enlightenment is somewhat harmful to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as it disrupts the fundamental religious beliefs about miracles, the supernatural God, and the revelation of His works (Enlightenment, OpinionFaith, n.p). The introduction of science as the basis of study and rationality seems to disrupt the mysterious works and existence of God.

Has it affected them all equally?

It seems to affect all three religions equally. Regardless of the different ways Judaists, Christians, and Muslims worship their deity, they show commonality in their beliefs. For instance, the three religions believe in the existence of God, a sole provider, compassionate, omnipresent, and all-knowing (Enlightenment, OpinionFaith, n.p). Since the Enlightenment seems to question these aspects of religion, it then affects all classes of religious people to begin to think differently and independently.

Does the Enlightenment inevitably lead to people giving up their faith?

The Enlightenment does not necessarily influence people to give up on their faith. However, it causes them to question certain aspects of religion. Studying the Enlightenment and scientific criticism about religion enables people to be informed, develop independent thinking, and ultimately choose religious principles to believe in and discard.

Works Cited

Index, Content, and Worldview Philosophy. “What Was The Enlightenment, And What Impact Did It Have On Christianity? | Gotquestions.Org”. Gotquestions.Org, 2019, https://www.gotquestions.org/Enlightenment-Christianity.html

Enlightenment, OpinionFaith. “Was The Enlightenment Really Opposed To Religion?”. ABC Religion & Ethics, 2019, https://www.abc.net.au/religion/recovering-the-religious-character-of-the-enlightenment/11278006.

“Age Of Enlightenment.” En.Wikipedia.Org, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Enlightenment.

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The Enlightenment has had an incredibly important impact on our understanding of religion and on the old question of the reason vs. revelation debate. Read the following article in Wikipedia through the section on “religion” for a general overview of the Enlightenment period:

The Impact of the Enlightenment on Religion- Reason vs. Revelation Debate

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Enlightenment (Links to an external site.)

Next, read these two articles that highlight slightly different aspects of the Enlightenment:

https://www.gotquestions.org/Enlightenment-Christianity.html (Links to an external site.)

http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2016/05/16/4463468.htm (Links to an external site.)

(you can also find the ABC article here: https://www.abc.net.au/religion/recovering-the-religious-character-of-the-enlightenment/11278006 (Links to an external site.))

Putting all of these sources of information together, write 2-3 pages outlining what were the basic principles and ideas of the Enlightenment. Do you think these ideas are proven beyond a shadow of a doubt or simply reasonable? Next, state what effect you think the Enlightenment has had on people’s religious faith. Has the Enlightenment been helpful or harmful to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam? Has it affected them all equally? Finally, in your view, does the Enlightenment inevitably lead to people giving up their faith?

Use citations as appropriate. The length should be 2-3 pages, and it should be double-spaced with 12 pt. font.