Essays in Philosophy of Religion (Jostarhaye Falsafeh Din)

Abstract In history of Christianity, from the latter half of second century, a version of Christianity pervaded that is known today as Pauline interpretation of Christianity. Paul, whose original name was Sh'aul, was born in the town of Tarsus, Cilicia (in modern Turkey), of Jewish parents belonging to the tribe of Benjamin. He persecuted the first Christians until an unproven revelation converted him to Christianity. According to Paul's views, a Christian is one who believes in the incarnation of God in the human form ,His sacrifice for the forgiveness of human sins ,Resurrection and His return to heavens, and who confesses that human beings due to their original sin that is established and institutionalized in them by Adam, not by good deeds but only through God's saving grace will be saved, and at last a Christian is one who believes that church is the Christ's representative on earth and that the salvation is only obtained through its Obedience. Pauline interpretation, with its epistemic and non-epistemic backgrounds such as religious prejudices, Hellenism and Greek language and conflicts with Jewish–Christian people, is essentially based on divinity of Jesus and the church. This version of Christianity has several important consequences for Christianity that result from theopomorphism or divinity of Jesus that descents Divine Status and makes God as a factor out of system of being.

Abstract One of the most challenging questions in religion studies especially philosophy of religion is to give a definition of religion and its basic elements.
This paper after give a definition of religion, examine its benefits and disadvantages. Pay attention to three areas ‘beliefs’, ‘practices’ and ‘emotions’, between human’s needs and potentials, is one of the benefits of that definition and essential to the principle of conclusiveness, but the attempt to solve the problem of define the religion will be useless unless following cases that are among theoretical defects of attempt to define religion be resolved: 1. reach to minimal subscribers between religions; 2. Ambiguity in explaining the essential elements of definition; and … Finally, we must regard the necessity of a ‘systematic view’ in defining this term one of the difficulties and challenges before us that should be seen scientifically and methodically.
The article ends with reflection on another definition of religion to open a way to analyzing conceptual elements of religion.

Abstract A main part of contemporary religious epistemology consists of debates on the problem of validity of evidentialism. Generally contemporary epistemology tends to refuse evidentialism because this view establishes a stricter measure for justification. Most important reaction to this view can be seen in well-formed epistemology that takes some religious beliefs and see them not in need to sufficient justification.
In this article we argue that: 1. well-formed epistemology can’t solve the charge of arbitrariness; consequently, 2. this view isn’t defensible; and 3. religious beliefs in another sense can be seen foundational: in foundational meaning for knowledge’s whole claim and approaching to truth (refusing the radical skepticism).

Abstract God’s eternity is an important discussion in contemporary western philosophy of religion. Greeks and medieval scholastics mainly explain the God’s eternity as being but for some modern thinkers it means. Accordingly God’s eternity in contemporary philosophy of religion have two different interpretations called “infinite time” interpretation and “timelessness” interpretation. It seems that by contemplation on the nature of time and its implications and some attributes of God like immutability, organize some evidences against “infinite time” interpretation. Also the objections on this interpretation, like the charge of the inconsistency of this concept or the objection upon temporality of all events are answerable. Yet, the reasonability of this view tied to give a reasonable explanation of the connection between eternal being and temporal world.

Abstract Logical problem of evil, proposed by J.L. Mackie, consists in inconsistency between God’s being omnipotent and omniscient and Wholly good and there being evil in the world. In order to solve this problem, Alvin Plantinga appeals to human freedom and transworld depravity. He wants to show that because of human freedom and suffering of transworld depravity, it is possible that God, although omnipotent, could not create a world in which there will be no evil.
We have shown that the concept of transworld depravity not only does not solve the problem, but leads to other serious problems. Furthermore, even if these problems be solved, Plantinga’s defense will be insufficient.

Abstract The English biologist and philosopher, Richard Dawkins, claims that the basic rules of physics in beginning of the universe and then evolution of vital complicated creatures and complexities, specifically human being, have been emerged by chance. He suggests two argument for his view; In his ‘simplicity argument’ argues that the basic rules of physics are simple, so it is actually more likely that the relatively simple lows of nature would be come into existence for no reason than that they would be designed by a God whose being would have to be more complex than they are. Thus, there is no God.
In ‘cumulative process argument’, he argues that the emergence of complex form in the universe can be explain by natural selection alone, in a cumulative process of evolution, thus, it is ‘self-explanatory’.
By contrast, Keith Ward as an English theist philosopher, with separating ‘inclusive simplicity’ of God from ‘exclusive simplicity’ that is in physical world, defends from "integrative and inclusive simplicity" of God. The existence of God integrates all elements, products of evolution and natural basic rules in a comprehensive system, thus, it is simplest explanation for the emergence of the universe and complexities on the earth, while Dawkins's materialistic view is not explanatory sufficiency. In fact, here we need ‘plenitude principle’, not ‘Occam's razor’. So ‘simplicity argument’ is in fact, ‘the fallacy of simplicity’. In this research, it is tried to defend from theistic explanation for evolutionary process.

Abstract The progression of agricultural, industrial and post-industrial stages in human^, s life is caused by development of technology. The success of civilization is dues by impact of technology on individual and social life and as well on material and spiritual dimensions. The greatness of Islamic civilization and its dominance on the ancient civilizations ‘Rome and Greece’, is an example of the proper use of science and technology, based on advanced teachings of Islam. If technology is assumed as decoder of creation system, then it is necessary to know the essence of technology and human as conqueror of nature. This article is about the essence of technology, its relationship with human and its effect of technology on society. In addition it is about position of human as divine governor, necessities for dominance on the nature in Holy Quran and worshippers of Allah, who can conquest and control the nature