IN SEARCH OF THE LOST GOD
An Historical Introduction to the World of Man's Religious Beliefs
by
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Since time immemorial man has always strived to know and understand the forces behind his origin, the purpose of his creation, his relationship to the universe that exists around him and his ultimate future or end. He has attempted, in his own ways, to relate the interactions of different aspects of human life. Inspired individuals, saints, sages, philosophers, scientists and historians, in their long search, have all put forth different concepts and thoughts on these enduring enigmas which have since become the basis of different religious beliefs.
PANTHEISTS say that there is NO ONE GOD; rather it is the combined forces and laws of nature, manifested in the existing universe, that control everything in this universe. Thus, they worship many Divinities. Greeks and Romans were Pantheists. POLYTHEISTS have presented the theory of having SEVERAL GODS, none with the absolute all embracing power, but with enough of it to help or hurt the people, and therefore they all are to be worshipped. Hindus who believe in many Gods and Goddesses are Polytheists. THEISTS, the believers in the existence of ONE GOD, who is transcendent yet immanent in the universe, have the monotheistic approach in their religious beliefs. They have thus put forth a “personal” divinity or deity as the only Creator, the Sustainer and also the Container of the whole universe in HIMSEFL. Jews, Christians and Muslims, called the People of the Book, are Theists.
The NATURE OF GOD, thus, has remained the central theme of all religious doctrines. Hinduism emphasizes on the HIDDEN MYSTERIES of man’s existence; Buddhism puts more weight on the “DISCIPLINARY WAYS” to achieve NIRVANA (the salvation, the ultimate freedom of the soul from worldly chains); Judaism insists on the UNITY OF GOD–God that stands SUPREME AND SEPARATE from HIS CREATION; Christianity states that the SALVATION of mankind can only be achieved through JESUS CHRIST; while Islam presents a concept of the TOTAL SUBMISSION TO ALLAH AND NONE ELSE. Then, there are the ATHEISTS who do not believe in the existence of a SUPREME BEING or GOD; and there are NIHILISTS who deny any objective ground of moral principle. They believe human life has no value. EXISTENTIALISTS, of the Communists countries of the U.S.S.R. and
UNDERSTANDING GOD
3000 thousand years ago one of the Pharaohs of Egypt posed a question to his people: Where is the Lord that I should bow to? People today are still asking the same question. It is wisely said: “If God were small enough for your mind He would not be big enough for your needs.” Indeed, it is not easy to understand God’s greatness in all HIS attributes.
What is God? Does HE really exist? Is there any absolute physical proof that God exists? What is God’s relationship to HIS CREATION, including MAN? What lies beyond the visible universe? What happens to the so called immortal soul after it leaves the physical body? Is there a world beyond death? Are there Heaven and Hell? Who is DEVIL or SATAN? These are the questions that “float” around us day in and day out. Different religions have different answers to these questions. Religious scriptures contain ANALOGICAL EXPRESSIONS that try to explain and elucidate the contents therein. Beyond that, the human mind has not been able to perceive, and think of God in any other way than what Descartes, the 17th century French philosopher, in his argument, called the ONTOLOGICAL ARGUMENT of God’s existence, states: “HE is the greatest and the most sublime of all that exist and that nothing can be conceived greater than
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About the Book
As indicated in the title, this is a study in the historical evolution of the major faiths of mankind and their religious beliefs. It is not a study to prove who is right and who is wrong. As such it certainly has a different approach to the subject. The layout of the subject may not depict the usual traditional approach observed in religious works, but it certainly preserves its true historical background. This work, therefore, is mainly historical in its essence.
The subject matter of this discourse is not only interesting but it is also informative and educational. When we talk about the history of mankind we also talk about the origin and the development of their religious beliefs, their culture and the social values of their life. Theology, a critical study of religious ideas, a dogmatic approach, has often, in past, been a source of divisions among the people of diverse beliefs and cultures. This planet would have been a much better place to live in, for all human beings, if man had learned to appreciate and respect the religious and cultural beliefs of the people different than those in which he had been brought up. Rather then finding differences and keeping alive hatred and dislike for other faiths and beliefs he would have done better if he had understood the common purpose that exists behind all faiths.
Much has been said and written about the conduct of people who in the name of religion have de-stabilized the world peace. The dangers of such religious polemics are evident in many areas of our planate. In the pluralistic world of today no one faith has the monopoly of the Truth. People are Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists or Muslims out of their sincere convictions. Endowed with the gift of intellect, and historical inheritance, people have chosen different paths and ways in their search for the Truth. We all eat the food grown in the same soil, drink water from the same springs and breathe the air from the same atmosphere. Even while holding to our own religious views, there is no reason why we can not respect and appreciate the beliefs of the others. An old Japanese saying goes like this: “There are many paths at the foot of a mountain, but the view of the moon is the same at the top.”
I would consider myself rewarded if, through this work, I can arouse enough interest in the minds of my readers to know and appreciate the fundamental teachings of all religions, namely the understanding of God, the Creator of this Universe, and Man’s relationship with Him. Religions do differ in their approach to this universal truth, but then, every approach, every path is but a means to an end, not an end in itself. God, the Almighty is the end. Any concept in human society, in itself, should not be a “be all and end all” of everything. It is its continuous usefulness to human society which should be recognized. Service to humanity should be the supreme ethic of an individual being. This service may reach people in different forms and shapes; its aim should be the ultimate happiness of mankind, material as well as spiritual.
I have lived in
Volumes would be needed to write on a subject of this nature. This work is but a “bird’s eve view” of the historical evolution of the major faiths of mankind. It is meant for the general public. No claim is made of any scholastic grandeur.
About the Author
Born in Mozambique, Portuguese East Africa, educated in the sub-continent of India, where he acquired his Masters and Law Degrees, Dr. Mustak A. Esmail then worked for the Ministry of Education, Tanzania, East Africa, from 1951 to 1970, first as Head Master and then as Education Officer. From 1970 to 1980, he worked for H.H. Prince Aga Khan, Ismaili National Council for
From his very childhood Dr. Mustak had cultivated a special aptitude for religious study, particularly that of the historical evolution of different major faiths of mankind, and has devoted years to reading literature on the subject.
Dr. Mustak, thus, has considerable knowledge and understanding about the subject matter of this book. His education and experience; his hard work and extensive research; his devotion and dedication; and his personal soul searching have all contributed to make his work “IN SEARCH OF THE LOST GOD”, a commendable effort. In the field of religious history it provides for a reading that is both enlightening and rewarding.