Enlightenment Part II PDF

Enlightenment Part II  AGE OF REASON Relationship between GOD & MAN Age of Reason altered BOTH the Relationship between GOD & MAN The Interpretation of Creation GOD designed the universe The purpose in THIS life is Man’s HAPPINESS  MAN is consciou...

Enlightenment Part II  AGE OF REASON Relationship between GOD & MAN Age of Reason altered BOTH the Relationship between GOD & MAN The Interpretation of Creation GOD designed the universe The purpose in THIS life is Man’s HAPPINESS  MAN is conscious of his actions He plays his role by acting REASONABLY NOT by supporting a certain theology The ONLY function of religion is to REGULATE the hearts of men Public utility must Conform with Religious morality Purpose of Religion and Civil laws Turning man to a BETTER citizen i.e. perfection of human morality  Religion must encourage Development of the RIGHTS of man as individual and citizen RELIGION is a VITAL SECURITY to VIRTUE Which implies that VIRTUE is the more important  Philosophers accepted ‘COMMON ORIGIN’ of species Differences among people were attributed to The difference in ENVIRONMENT  Enlighted philosophies’ ASCERTAIN If the purpose of man is to please God Definition of a religious person is NOT necessarily one who Follows a church or a priest: But who follows the RULES of SOCIABILITY RIGHTS of HUMANITY What is the GUARANTEE for happiness? Obeying/abiding to the laws of God LAWS OF NATURE created by God Laws understood through SCIENCE & REASON  ENLIGHTENMENT Challenged: Relationship of God to the universe They argued: The universe EXISTS, Therefore it was CREATED By necessity there is a CREATOR HE is the FIRST Cause  GOD: as the first Cause REMAINS Unknowable & Untouchable HIS work ENDS with the Creation NON-INTERVENTIONIST CREATOR Permits the universe to run itself to perfection According to universal natural laws HE created  This philosophy is known as DEISM DEISM rejects Divine Revelation & Miracles Both PILLARS of monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity & Islam  REVELATION: GOD reveals Himself to man through a vision Direct communication with God MIRACLES: Out of the ordinary events that Defy/Challenge natural or scientific laws  Deism’s argument against REVELATION Since GOD is creator of Heaven and Earth It is NOT logical that He revealed Himself to a FRACTION of this universe What about the REST of His OWN creation? Therefore: Revelation is neither RATIONAL nor LOGICAL  MIRACLES: By definition miracles violate/defy laws of nature Laws that GOD Himself has created DEISM’S CONCLUSION It is NEITHER rational NOR logical that God’s existence is verified/confirmed by miracles Miracles are therefore REJECTED  Such viewpoints ENCOURAGED religious tolerance OPENED the road to the theory of evolution Accepted VARIATIONS among people: Are due to the LAWS of nature NOT to a Divine plan/design  Man is FREE and ALONE He needs to adapt to Nature to survive He will NOT receive any assistance from God Such convictions led to: Accepting the role of science Natural rights Ended of persecution of heretics Conclusion Enlightenment GATEWAY to modernity A transition from: A WORLD where religion, & social values Were accepted and undisputed To a WORLD where Man is recognized as the architect of His OWN DESTINY  Enlightenment Inspired AMERICAN REVOLUTION Life, Liberty & Equality FRENCH REVOLUTION Declarations of Rights of Man & Rights of Women