The Establishment of ReasonA Chapter by Not A WriterThis paper shows a brief history of reason shown through post-modernism. This paper briefly contrasts reason and religion.The Establishment of Reason The 21st century reveals
unprecedented marks of knowledge like never before. The achievements, which man
has achieved, now allow man to live independently on his own. The Middle Ages, which
were marked by strife, was a time when people relied on religion to survive.
But, as humanists would say, religion is no longer essential for life. The necessity of religion began to
diminish in the Age of Enlightenment. However, the superiority of the intellect
was seen centuries earlier by the promotion of Scholasticism by Thomas Aquinas.
When the strength of reason over faith had spread, the dominance of the
humanist seemed sure. However, Christianity answered the Age of Enlightenment
through the Great Awakenings. The popularity of Christianity was so dominant
and popular that America was supposedly called the “Christian Nation.” For about a century now, reason has
begun to be popularized through the spread of post-modernism by John Chapman. Since
no one truth exists, any philosophy remains acceptable. So, why choose Christianity
when atheism is just as right? Roy Sellars and Raymond Bragg explain this by
saying that religion is out of date. They state, “The time is past for mere
revision of traditional
attitudes. Science and economic change have disrupted the old beliefs.” Out
with the old and in with the new. But, why? Their answer is as follows: “There
is great danger of a final, and we believe fatal, identification of the word
religion with doctrines and methods which have lost their significance and
which are powerless to solve the problem of human living in the Twentieth
Century.” Religion, to the humanist, is insufficient, lacking, powerless, and
incapable to exist in the scientific world. An establishment of reason is important
for the humanist because by it life is lived. Because of the establishment of
reason in this world, one can see a movement developing. This movement began
from saying no one truth exists to saying religion is non-sequential to saying
any religion should be “countered, criticized, and exposed by rational argument
wherever its influence arises.” This movement has been started by a group called
the New Atheists. Unless a religious group conquers
the hearts of men, this world will be dominated by a people driven by logic and
philosophy. For the humanist, to accept religion in this world would be to
accept logical suicide"going back to the Middle Ages. Therefore, reason alone
must expand. © 2011 Not A WriterAuthor's Note
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3 Reviews Added on December 29, 2011 Last Updated on December 29, 2011 AuthorNot A WriterKyoto, MI, JapanAboutJapanese writer Into all things anime 日本万歳. どんなに頑張っても私を見つける.. more..Writing
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