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Publisher's Note
There had been an ongoing debate amongst various philosophers and religious traditions as to who is atheist and who is theist. A cursory review will show the answer to this question depending on the concept of God in the respective religion/philosophy. This becomes clear even when we see views expressed by different philosophers about their concept of the ultimate reality. As an example, noted Indian philosopher Dr. S. Radhakrishnan in his book ‘Indian Philosophy' said “Though there is no divine creative spirit, still every soul when it reaches its highest perfection becomes a Paramātman or Supreme Soul. God is only the highest, noblest and fullest manifestation of powers which lies latent in the soul of man. All perfected souls are divine, and there is no rank among them, since all are equal. The trouble however starts when we try to transform this idealism to the daily life of mankind into a God who satisfies the whole being of a man, a real which exceeds the whole mere infinite (the absolute) and the mere finite thereby an absolute impersonal non-active becomes the active personal Lord creating and sustaining the universe. This is indeed a perplexing situation and labeling one as theist and another atheist becomes stickier.
Prof. Krishna A. Gosavi has spent more than ten years delving on this question with particular reference to Jainism and it's being labeled as theist or orthodox by some and atheist or heterodox by others. He has made significant contribution in this quest and needs a thorough review and analysis by the enthusiastic scholars of philosophy and religion. We at Parshwanath Vidyapeeth took upon ourselves, without any favour or opposition, to bring his views on the table for all readers of philosophy and religious traditions. Our task will be fulfilled when Prof. Gosavi has comments (refutations and supporting) from you all, the readers.
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