THEISM
What is theism?
Theism is a supernatural rationale for behaviour. It involves the belief in a god, a deity, a higher power operating in the universe. Almost without exception, traditional deities have had either a moral or a magic influence on their societies, usually both. The moral influence is propagated through a moral code, like the Ten Commandments of Judaism or The Way of Buddhism. The implication of such a code is that the higher power wants you to behave in certain approved ways, and to avoid behaving in other ways disapproved of. This, in turn, has led many to suspect that the actual source of such moral codes is the theological elite (priests, monks, etc.) rather than any supernatural sources. Whatever the source though, the primary effect of such a moral code was to serve as an instrument of social control, to rationalize “proper conduct” with a supernatural gloss or motivation. Whether or not this was the original intention, it served this purpose. From the sociological point of view this would be a form of determinism (obeying the “moral law”). From the political point of view it could equally be interpreted as a form of functionalism (seeking to fulfill God’s purpose). The magical role of theism was believed to be the god’s ability to fulfill wishes. Mark Twain has a humorous story about this use of belief: in the story a “model” Christian is praying out loud in church for a “socially acceptable” blessing; with his silent inner voice however, this “model” Christian is praying for exactly the opposite, something that will benefit exclusively himself, and to the detriment of others. The “problem” is that God is caught on the horns of a dilemma, not knowing whether to grant the supplicant’s spoken wish or his secret wish. Apparently even God can face difficult choices.
How is theism manifest?
Over the years religions (organized systems of worship and morality) have developed from particularistic to universalistic, but despite this more inclusive premise, theism is not actually any guarantee of beneign conduct. Many believers of various faiths have sought their priest’s blessing to go to war. In the case of crusades, religious leaders have often been the fiercest proponents of “war in the name of God”. What seems anomalous is not however; the protection of the morality was actually only applied to one’s own brethren or fellow citizens – non-believers or outsiders were fair game, including for plunder and killing. Perhaps the time has come for a God that does encompass all of humanity, generous rather than selfish, and forgiving rather than punitive – a God for tomorrow.
References
Sam Harris
THE END OF FAITH
W.W. Norton, New York, 2004