Jain Theism

Author(s): Hemant Shah
Publisher: Hemant Shah

Page 21

2
Theism Atheism
Though it is not the aim of this work to discuss and examine critically the terms Theism and Atheism, it is essential that a general view about the meaning of these terms with special reference to western and Indian context is noted in an utmost bravity. The term 'Theism' has many meanings', each one in detail could be obtained in any good encyclopaedia. But then the term "Theism" in its widest sense and literally means 'Belief in God'. As the term Theism has different meanings it is also used as synonym to different phrases such as Natural Theology, Natural Religion or Natural Law etc. Since the word 'God' is the key word in the meaning of term Theism and there are various concepts about the nature and number of God, there are various types of Theism. In 'Polytheism' the belief is in plurality of Gods, while Pantheism believes in the idea that only one God exists, and all that exists is God. From this idea of Pantheism the idea of Monotheism has evolved. Monotheism believes that there exists one and only one God; God as 'Supreme Personal Creator, the exclusive creator', the exclusive and universal creator of all things.
Jain Theism
As Theism, in its most popular and literal term means 'Belief in God', Atheism literally is a system of belief which denies the exsistence of God. It should be noted that the scholars and historians have observed that the terms 'Atheism' and 'Atheist' have been used "in the most haphazard manner to describe even the most trivial divergence of opinion." In support to this observation we find Socrates who was charged with "Not believing in the gods the city believes in'; we hear the cry in the Roman empire against Christians as : "Away with the Atheists" for the lack of idolatry in all Christian worship. Spinoza for whom God alone existed and who was known as the "God intoxicated", was prosecuted as an atheist, In Indian philosophy we find Jainism and Buddhism termed as 'Atheist' for not accepting Vedas as an authority; or rejecting soul or spirit. But then 'Atheism' in its apparent sense means, "Rejection of belief in God". Atheism in its most scientific and serious usages is applied to "the state of mind which does not find deity (either one or many Gods) in or above the physical universe."
Like theism atheism can be further classified into different types. But then for us atheism based on intellectual or metaphysical