Kant: Religion within the Boundaries of Mere Reason: And Other Writings (Cambridge Texts in the History of Philosophy) by Immanuel Kant

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Immanuel Kant quotes Bible scripture in this work q more

Immanuel Kant quotes Bible scripture in this work quite often; neither is his thesis is neither Christian, Jewish, nor Mormon, though he would like this work to shape theology of people of these faiths among others that exist. This book is theological in that it is a philosophy about God and man. The author believes in absolute truth but does not understand it to come from scripture or a particular religion. He wants right and wrong to be determined through reason and argument. An individual develops maxims about morals through experience in the world through the social process. This social process may include cultural understanding of God and Religious practice in society. Yet the author argues what is bad behavior and what is good behavior is distinct from personal preference. This ultimate truth is grasped through reason, not through dogma or scriptural interpretation. It is an interesting read to which conclusions I heartedly disagree. Immanuel Kant uses John 3:5 in his argument: that man most be born again. His use of the term is not the common use evangelical circles of a supernatural rebirth of the individual. He understands this rebirth may come from any religious tradition. His arguments are not just made to alter Christianity but to alter all religion. Rebirth is a change of aim or purpose in the individual's life that is to follow God's Will (Kant's perspective who ever that may be). No longer does self love - self absorption rule, but man's common good. True seeking your neighbor's welfare is God's Will, but to Kant's arguments it really the sole purpose of religion and faith. While seeking to do God's Will includes serving the believer and the unbeliever in the World, one must seek to glorify God and have a relationship with God. Kant scorns worship and scriptural study. Kant uses the term universalism. He wants all faiths to come one accord of this belief in this rational faith: An ecumenical faith where all faiths of the world give up their scriptural meaning and trade it for another understanding. A Faith based on Rational thought. Kant argues that scriptural meaning needs to be forced into rational thought. Faith based institutions would exist to train and socialize people to this rational faith and abandon their old ways. I guess this is an argument for liberal Christian theology and an alteration of other religions: An argument for those who never believed ion the first place. Five Star book, but to what is true One star.
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