Regarding the question of why God doesn’t simply provide us with irrefutable evidence, philosopher and theologian John Hick famously argued:

"Perhaps the answer is that God is leaving men free in relation to himself… to remain a free and responsible personality, the knowledge of God must not be forced upon him."

I’ve heard this response more times than I can count, but it has never made sense to me.

Irrefutable evidence only removes the ability to deny a fact—it does not remove our freedom in how we react to it. Knowing with certainty that a authority or creator exists doesn't force a person to love, obey, or align morally with that entity (just as knowing a government or boss exists doesn't automatically make someone loyal to them). Moral culpability and genuine character lie in our choices and actions, not in whether we possess factual knowledge.

Withholding undeniable evidence seems to serve no good purpose. Instead, it leaves many well-meaning, honest, and virtuous people with completely reasonable grounds to disbelieve—only for them to face dire consequences as a result, through no fault of their own.

Have I missed something in Hick's argument or the broader "epistemic distance" defence? Can anyone explain why withholding undeniable evidence is supposedly better than providing it?

This is NOT a "What religion fits me?" post. Is there a name for when someone has typical beliefs about heaven, hell, actions in your lifetime judging your afterlife, etc, but doesn't worship a deity? I can't find a word for it and I'm trying to write stuff

i was a very religious person growing up i used to do all my religious duties and was always commended for my motivation and zeal i love God and i had a very strong relationship with him i trusted him i feared him i always wanted to do what he asked with my whole heart even if it meant denying myself, i always believed that pleasing him is the priority and believing in his son and what he did is important and that in the future i was so sure that he will definitely reward me for my loyalty and i can live happily forever in heaven and get back everything i lost.

but right now i feel like im so far from him and im not comfortable anymore, i feel like religion is a burden although it shouldn’t feel like that and i hate this but i feel like all those requirements and way of life sometimes feel too much and this pressure and constant expectations required from me im starting to feel really tired, especially because i feel like God is forbidding me from something so pure and makes me happy, its just unfair sometimes how there are rules that you try to apply but you cant for the life of you and im starting to really get unmotivated to the point where i dont even care about the hope God gives us and heaven and living forever like im not thinking about that anymore i feel drained and im not turning to him anymore because im in a dilemma.
on one hand i feel like being far from him and drifting away is wrong and on the other hand i feel like averting because there is things i want which im not convinced are wrong (if i was convinced it was wrong like i was before i wouldve done everything right but im not believing anymore).

im so torn, i miss being close to him and trusting him and having this connection but at the same time now i really cant do that no matter how much i try there are things keeping me away and i hate this at the same time im uncomfortable from religion.
like please make it make sense im so tired and dont know what to do anymore i dont even know what my future looks like.

The celibate Catholic priest who does stuff to kids.

The Baptist preacher who sleeps with his assistant.

The televangelist pastor whose donations from his faithful parishioners goes directly into his pockets instead of to the church.

I know no one is perfect, but that’s no excuse whatsoever. If anything, these men (and almost all of them are men, let’s be honest) are supposed to be better. Supposed to be an example to others of what Christian goodness and love is like.

So why are they like this? What causes them to act out like this?

Buddhism postulates 31 "planes of existence", i.e. 31 categories of beings each distinguished by different states of consciousness. Some of them, such as the plane of humans and the planes of animals, live in the same physical Universe, and can perceive eachother, but others, such as the Devas, can not be perceived by humans or animals.

Do the Devas, from Four Heavenly Kings, the realm that also includes most minor deities of Hinduism, to Akanishtam, the highest realm far above Maha Brahma, exist in separate, dimensionally higher Universes ? Or are their realms superimposed to our Universe, separated only by the vibrational frequency of such beings that makes them able to perceive the same reality in totally different ways, and makes them unable to be perceived by us ? Or are they just metaphors for states of consciousness ?

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Hello everyone, I hope you are all doing well.

I am part of a Sufi path. I would be happy to answer your questions. 🙌

Sufism is a path of inner transformation, good character, and universal love.

It is something that one experiences firsthand, something one tastes for oneself.

Let us all come together in brotherhood. 🙌❤️

Like, if you just study Orthodox Judaism, you'll understand that their understanding of the Messiah is that he will be a non-divine human being, patrilineally descended from the Davidic dynasty, who will usher in the Messianic Age, bring all of the Jews back to the Land of Israel, restore Jewish political sovereignty over the land, rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, and usher in an age of peace for all mankind.

In contrast, it seems like Christians look at these requirements differently because they believe that Jesus's messianic mission was not limited to the restoration of the Jewish people, but also involved the salvation of humanity through his death and resurrection. As a result, many Christians understand Jesus as the fulfillment of the Temple, interpret certain messianic prophecies spiritually or symbolically, and believe the remaining prophecies about the restoration of Israel, universal peace, and God's kingdom will be fulfilled at his Second Coming. However, from a traditional Jewish perspective, the Messiah is expected to accomplish these things during his lifetime, rather than return later to complete them. This is one of the fundamental reasons why Jews don't recognize Jesus as the Messiah, since the conditions associated with the arrival of the Messianic Age have not been fulfilled.

In his Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Melachim uMilchamot, Chapters 11–12), the Rambam outlines these expectations and sets criteria for recognizing the Messiah. In doing so, he draws directly from passages such as Deuteronomy 30:3–5, Numbers 24:17–18, and Zephaniah 3:9. Similar messianic expectations are also reflected in other passages of the Hebrew Bible, including 2 Samuel 7:12–16, Isaiah 11:1–12, Jeremiah 23:5–6, Ezekiel 37:21–28, and Isaiah 2:4. According to the Rambam, if a potential Messiah fails to accomplish his mission or dies before fulfilling these requirements, then he cannot be considered the promised Messiah.

Going back to the debate of interpreting the scriptures literally versus spiritually, I believe that early Christians came to interpret these prophecies in a more universal and spiritual sense, partly because if you took the messianic expectations concerning the restoration of Israel, the rebuilding of the Temple, and the establishment of worldwide peace as concrete events that the Messiah was supposed to accomplish during his lifetime, Jesus would not have fulfilled those requirements. He did not restore/return Jewish political sovereignty, gather the Jewish diaspora back to the Land of Israel, or establish an era in which warfare and conflict ceased to exist. Instead, the Romans executed him, and Judea remained under Roman rule.

It seems to me that following Jesus's crucifixion, his earliest followers were faced with a real theological dilemma because they had believed that he was the promised Messiah, yet he had died without accomplishing many of the things traditionally associated with the arrival of the Messianic Age. Rather than concluding that Jesus wasn't the Messiah, they came to understand his death and resurrection as part of God's divine plan (You can see this phenomenon in some members of Chabad who venerate Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson as the Messiah), which subsequently shaped how they interpreted the messianic prophecies in the Hebrew Bible. In a way, I see this as post hoc theological justification, where they reinterpreted the scriptures to accommodate the belief that Jesus was the Messiah, despite his failure to fulfill certain expectations during his lifetime.

Now, I'm not suggesting that Christians need to abandon their beliefs or accept the Jewish interpretation as correct. However, I think there's a difference between disagreeing with another religion's theological interpretations and not understanding why its adherents hold those beliefs. I think some Christians approach Judaism primarily through the lens of their own religion rather than trying to understand Judaism as a distinct religious tradition with its own understanding of messianism and the relationship between God and the Jewish people. However, why do you think it's still difficult for some Christians to understand the Jewish perspective on the Messiah, even if they ultimately disagree with it?

Just fyi, English isn't my first language, so I apologise for any kind of errors or misunderstandings I might make.

My friend is a Hellenic Polytheist (Greek mythology), and I'm a Protestant Christian. Basically, my friend hates Christianity and anything somewhat related to it, which is ironic since we're friends (we became friends before we started talking about beliefs and stuff, but we've both always been very open about our religions). I don't really care what kind of religion, or lack of it, my friends have, as long as they show respect towards mine. But recently, my friend started making less-than-flattering comments about Christianity to me on the daily, including calling it a cult, saying God isn't real and you're stupid if you believe He is, and generally degrading Him to my face as a joke. When I then try discussing these topics with her (I'm generally very happy and open to discussions about Christianity, as I am keenly aware of how easy it is to be locked into an echo chamber when it comes to religions), she degrades God by saying stuff like "God can suck the Devil's dick" and "He (God) probably gives the best blowjobs" (direct quotes from a discussion we had online) instead of actually giving real points or generally just wanting to discuss it with me.

The thing is, I know damn well she would never make these same comments towards religions like Islam or Judaism, even though we share the same God. So I just wonder why she thinks it's okay to disrespect Christianity, since most of her criticism is about God and belief in Him. And I would also think she would have some kind of respect towards other devotees, even though they aren't from the same religion as her. Is this level of disrespect towards Christianity just something that has started to become socially acceptable? And why?

I apologise if this post doesn't make sense, but thank you for reading anyways!

Murazili school of Thought it's the first rational school in Islam which was founded by Wasil Ibn atta who was the student of Hasan Al basri the father of sunism and considered by western the most rational school among the three Abtahamic religions, which basically gave birth to the Islamic Golden Age.

The Modsen Mutasilism is spreading like fire in Arab world, some call the progressive Islam, Arab Quranists ( Arab Quranists don't mean total rejection of Hadith but they analyse any Hadith which contradict Quran or Logic )

Modern Mutasilism it's not a strict sect but it's belonging to their rational school and using their tools to extract laws ,

So ask me anything

salam / shalom, muslim here with a genuine question

for us, prayer (salah) isn't valid without wudu. it's not optional or just "nice to have," the prayer literally doesn't count without it. no wudu, no prayer, you have to redo it

my question is how tefillin works for you guys. is it the same kind of thing, like is the morning prayer not valid without tefillin? or is it more of a strong recommendation / extra spiritual level, but the prayer still counts without it?

i get one is physical purity and the other is more spiritual, but is the concept the same, as in a required condition before the prayer is accepted?

also, is daily prayer itself a must for you the way our 5 daily prayers are for us? like an obligation you're sinning if you skip, not just a good deed. and if so, how many prayers a day is it?

genuinely curious, thanks!

Hello everyone! 👋

I am an Islamic Studies student, looking for Internet partner for my research assignment on Moral Codes and Values in World Religions.

I am hoping to connect with individuals who practise Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, or Confucianism.

The purpose of this research is to have an interreligious dialogue where we can share and learn about the important moral values, principles and teachings in our respective religions.

This is a great opportunity for us to understand and appreciate each other’s beliefs and values in a respectful and friendly environment.

If you are interested in participating, please feel free to comment or send me a message. Your participation would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you! ❤️

I grew up Catholic, went to Catholic school, and still consider myself Catholic today, although I'll admit I'm not the most devoted one. This isnt just for catholics its a pretty universal question I think can be aplied directly or indirectly to any religion. I always had questions and intrusive thoughts about life, God, and religion that have made it difficult for me to fully accept everything I've been taught. It's not that I don't believe in God, maybe deep down I dont but I think I do. but there's always something in the back of my mind that makes me question All religion and meaning of life in general which Ithink about almost every second.
Anyways I was thinking about something that I haven't really been able to wrap my head around.
From what I was taught , God has a plan for each of us before we're even born(I belive in all Abrahamic religions). He knows everything about us, including the circumstances we'll be born into, the people we'll meet, the environments we'll grow up in, and ultimately how our lives will unfold.
But here's where I start to question things.
From the moment we're born, we're constantly absorbing everything around us. The things we see, hear, experience, and are taught all contribute to shaping our personalities, beliefs, values, and the way we think. Nobody chooses the family they're born into, the environment they're raised in, or the experiences that shape them during their most influential years. Yet all of these things thathappen every second determine who we become and the decisions we make throughout our lives.
According to Catholicism and other religions, when we die, God judges us based on how we lived, the sins we committed, our beliefs, and whether we accepted Him. Ultimately, this determines whether we go to Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory.
So my question is, **if God already knows everything about us before we're born, including every thought we'll have, every sin we'll commit, and whether or not we'll eventually accept Him, then how much free will do we actually have?**
If God knows exactly what circumstances we'll be born into, how those circumstances will shape our minds, and ultimately what decisions we'll make, then wouldn't He already know our fate before we even enter the world?
For example, someone born into a deeply religious Catholic family will likely develop a completely different understanding of God than someone born into an atheist family or a society where Christianity or any religion is hardly practiced. Lets say like North Korea where they wont even get the chance to know any religion. Neither person chose those circumstances, yet those circumstances could heavily influence whether they believe in God and how they live their lives.
And if God created us knowing all of this beforehand, why would He place someone into a life He already knows will lead them to reject Him or commit certain sins, only to judge them for those decisions afterward?
I understand that Catholicism teaches we have free will, but I struggle to understand how that fits with the idea of an all-knowing God who has a plan for everyone. If our minds are shaped by circumstances we never chose, and God already knows exactly how we'll respond to those circumstances, in what sense are our decisions truly free?
I'm not trying to disprove God or attack Catholicism. I'm genuinely trying to understand this because it's something that's bothered me for a long time. I still consider myself Catholic, but questions like this have always made it difficult for me to fully embrace my faith.
I'm curious how other people interpret this....

I ask for the simple reason that I write an advice column about religion and spirituality. I love to read this page, and I often do find questions here that I take up in the column (I ask permission first). But this subreddit isn't quite the same thing. A lot of time, people are looking for conversation more than advice, which is cool, of course.

If you were actually seeking advice, what would you ask?

I don't write this column as the world's foremost authority on religious questions. Just as a person who cares about these questions and about people and tries to treat both respectfully. (And adores advice columns.)

What kind of church baptises babies and claims to be Baptist?

Baptist seems to mean rejecting infant baptism and only doing so for those old enough to understand, accept our reject faith.

I would like to read like to read any and all religious texts suggested.

I'm a Bahá'í, and lately I've been thinking about why religion exists in the first place, and what we actually want from it as human beings.

There are plenty of things in the Bahá'í Faith to discuss, but right now I'm more curious about religion itself and the role it plays in people's lives.

Is religion a way to discover a divine truth and connect with something beyond everyday life? Is it a duty you feel you have to fulfill? Or are you drawn to religion or a spiritual worldview because it gives your life meaning, helps you deal with difficulties, or makes you a better person?

Here's another thing I'm curious about: if you'd been born into a different family or culture, do you think you'd hold the same beliefs you do today?

You don't have to give an answer that fits your religion's official teachings or defend what you believe. I'm genuinely interested in how people see this, even if they're still figuring it out themselves.

What does religion actually add to your life that you wouldn't have without it? And if it doesn't add anything, what makes you hold on to it, or what made you walk away?

I'm a hellenic polytheist which means i believe in the greek gods. Ask me anything!

​

Hi everyone!

I'm Japanese, and honestly, I don't know much about religion. Religion hasn't really been a big part of my life, so I'm curious to hear from people who have different experiences.

I'd love to ask those of you who follow a religion:

How important is your religion to you personally? Is it something that influences your everyday decisions and the way you live, or is it more about traditions, family, and community?

I'd also love to hear about the things you actually do as part of your religion. For example, daily practices, rituals, celebrations, or even little habits that might seem completely normal to you but unfamiliar to someone like me.

And if there's anything about your religion that you think people in Japan (or people who aren't familiar with your religion) might find surprising or interesting, I'd really love to hear about that too!

It doesn't have to be anything special. Even the little everyday things would be interesting to me.

I'm not here to debate whether any religion is right or wrong. I just genuinely want to better understand how people experience their religion and what it means to them.

I'd really appreciate hearing your personal experiences and perspectives.

Thanks in advance!

If karma is True then A Rapist would be raped, may in this life or another, by his Victim.

Something like r/Academicquran for Islam or r/academicbiblical for Judaism and Christianity. Where a bunch of enthusiasts and academics gather together to study about the Indian religion like Hinduism or Buddhism from academics and secular perspective.

The Indian religions are very fascinating, but not much enthusiasts on reddit it seems.

Hello, I’m R, and I’ve been struggling with depression since around June/July of this year and with that, I have also started to doubt my faith in God. With that being said, I am desperately looking for answers. I am not here so Jesus haters can tell me to give up on Christianity. I’m also not here to have Christians give me advice based on the Bible as to WHY this is happening to me and that I just need to “trust God.” I need your most unbiased opinions and resources. If you could just take 30 seconds out of your day to tell me your perspective, it would be deeply helpful and appreciated. Thank you.