Absurdity of Skepticism Rizwan Khan Those who believe that God does not exist often mock those

who do, declaring that such an absurdity is contrary to common sense. They assert that such lines of thought conflict with the laws of nature and every form of reason. They state that though the existence of God cannot be conclusively disproven, neither can that of mere figments of our imagination, such as Santa Claus, the tooth fairy, or unicorns. They mock that such conviction betrays intellectual immaturity, that such notions are riddled with reasoning fallacies. They affirm that belief in the unseen is a paradox which contradicts itself, which demands inconsistency of thought. The apparent contradiction between religion and science only exists when grave errors occur in understanding either. The physical and spiritual realms, far from contradicting one another, are parallel, and each provides insight into the other. Religion is not simply an explanation of the spiritual laws of nature, but is also an insight into the workings of the material realm. Belief in the unseen, a precept common to all faiths, is one such concept, the principles of which govern the material world as well. Those who are critical of theism seek to object on principle, presenting their ideas as diametrically opposed to those of religion. However, on closer analysis, we find that they themselves, in fundamentals, are actually in agreement with the religious principles to which they are so averse. Belief in the unseen is a necessary phenomenon which manifests itself in all fields of material progress. Every scientific discovery has taken place on the basis of this principle. Consider the earth: there was a time when the concept of the world being round was a notion so preposterous that it was beyond comprehension. It was then, in view of some hypotheses, that Galileo made an inferential leap, and he believed that such an idea was possible. The belief in that possibility, though not based on conclusive proof, was founded on indicative facts bearing implications of possibilities to come. At that time, this idea was objected to and condemned by those who failed to comprehend the true philosophy of belief in the unseen and adopted an approach of excessive skepticism. It was belief in the unseen, in the unknown potential which lies beyond mans existing comprehension, which has been the seed of scientific revolution since time immemorial. The religious zealots of that time and the atheists of today having fallen prey to the same mistake is an irony which would be amusing, were it not so tragic. This principle is not restricted to the scientific realm alone, but encompasses all aspects of life in which progress occurs. Each time we, as individuals or as a society, take a step forward, it is based on belief in the unseen. Whether it was the establishment of democracy or the pursuit of nuclear power, whether it is an entrepreneur pursuing a business opportunity or a child taking its first step, every action in the pursuit of progress is based on some facts and inferences which, though incomplete in and of themselves, collectively indicate towards a single objective. That extent, to which our intellect takes us, and beyond which lies the unknown, is the point where our doubts and aspirations decide our greatness as individuals and peoples. Those who succumb to fears and doubts and fall prey to excessive skepticism fall into the abyss of mediocrity, unable to take the inherent risk necessary in every step

of progress. Rather, those who, after going as far as their perception takes them, then make the inferential leap into the possibilities of the unknown, are those who achieve greatness in every field of progress. If, at that time, the objection were made that such ideas are absurd and worthy of rejection until they can conclusively be proven, man would never have progressed past the Stone Age. It is an absurdity to follow the skepticisms of cynics who reject an idea on such premises. Similar is the case with belief in the existence of God. The evidence which theists present in support of their views are not proofs which unequivocally prove the existence of God, nor are they meant to be, rather, they are sufficient evidence to necessitate a pursuit of discovering God. The purposeful organization of the universe, the improbability of arbitrary progress, the logical necessity of a cause of all causes, the testimonies of individuals throughout history, etc. these evidences prove a necessity to seek God. Just as Newtons observation of a falling apple did not prove the existence of gravity, it did necessitate the pursuit of the possibility. The evidence in support of the existence of God does not establish His existence, but establishes our responsibility to seek Him. The rejection of belief in the unseen and the acceptance of excessive skepticism is the rejection of growth and the acceptance of stagnancy. To reject His existence at the outset, just as in rejecting any prospective beyond our perception, is to deprive ourselves of the discoveries which lie just beyond our present comprehension. Concerning this principle, Allah the Almighty states in the Holy Quran: it (the Holy Quran) is a guidance for the righteous, Who believe in the unseen 2:3-4 In these verses, Allah the All-Knowing establishes, right at the outset, the importance of belief in the unseen as a basis for progress. It is impossible for those who reject this principle to progress in any field of understanding. Thus, the first requisite for those who hope to partake of the sublime spiritual verities in this book is that they believe in the possibility of that which transcends their present comprehension and be eager to pursue it. It is only through the full application of this principle of progress that one can hope to discover the subtle truths and perceive the spiritual nuances which exist just beyond the unaided intellect. In increasing ones physical strength, the accomplishments of others do facilitate one in finding their way, but ultimately the journey is ones own. Similarly, in understanding God and strengthening ones spiritual capacities, the epiphany is ultimately an individual attainment. It is for this that such importance is given to the establishment of the principle of belief in the unseen within each and every individual. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa), while describing a source of disorder in the future named ad-Dajjal, illustrated that his left eye would be sharp but that his right eye would be blind. This signified that though the material insight, the left eye, of such people would surpass that of any other people and would see into the depths of the oceans and the heights of the skies, the spiritual insight, the right eye, of such people would demonstrate such deficiency as to fail in penetrating even the surface of sublime truths. This is precisely the condition we find those who deny the existence of God in today. The inconsistency in their insight is due to the inconsistency in their principles. In the material realm, they apply the principle of belief in the unseen to its summit, pursuing and achieving levels of progress which man has never fathomed. Conversely, in the spiritual realm, they reject that same principle completely and have thus found

themselves in unprecedented spiritual regression. This internal contradiction exists because of the contradiction in their views, the inconsistency in their thought, and the fallacies in their reasoning. The serious pursuit of the possibility of the existence of God is a basic responsibility on every rational individual. It is not those who believe in the principle of belief in the unseen who are inconsistent, for their view of the material and spiritual realm is without contradiction, and they excel in both spheres. Rather, it is those who reject this principle who are inconsistent, for they accept it only when convenient to their beliefs. They accuse us, out of ignorance, of ignorance, but the greatest ignorance is ignorance of ones own ignorance.