April 6, 2025 • 15 mins
Self-defined philosopher.I am a self-defined philosopher, drawn to the endless pursuit of understanding, reflection, and growth. My journey began with a desire to bridge my cultural roots and my experiences living in the United States for over 30 years. It continues through my exploration of spirituality, identity, and knowledge.I believe that true wisdom comes from questioning both the external world and my internal experiences. By engaging deeply with topics such as faith, culture, technology, and human connection, I seek to cultivate a balanced perspective rooted in both tradition and progress.For me, philosophy is not confined to abstract theories but is a practical approach to understanding the world and my place within it. It is the constant effort to align my actions, beliefs, and values in harmony, recognizing that learning is a lifelong process.Through curiosity, empathy, and a commitment to growth, I strive to remain open to new insights while honoring the wisdom of my heritage. I approach each day as an opportunity to deepen my understanding, refine my thoughts, and contribute positively to the world around me.
my email address gholamrezava@gmail.com
Twitter account is @rezava
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_00 (00:00):
Hello, this is another episode of the Tandis
podcast.
My name is Reza Sanjideh.
As always, these podcasts arerooted in the philosophy of
life, with the aim of makingphilosophical thinking an
accessible and meaningful partof our everyday experiences.
(00:24):
Today's episode is a special onethat delves into the profound
and inspiring moments I'veexperienced in Ramadan.
This journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions and
insights, guiding me throughextraordinary moments of
reflection and growth.
What I'm sharing with you todayis not just a story.
It's a philosophicalexploration, one that ultimately
leads back to the essence ofeverything, the philosophy of
(00:46):
God.
But this episode is also deeplypersonal.
It's inspired by conversationswith two important people in my
life.
First, my son, whose passion forphilosophy sparked my own
journey into these deep,timeless questions.
And second, my 13-year-oldgranddaughter, whose curiosity
led her to ask simple yetprofound questions about
Ramadan.
(01:06):
She wanted to know why we fastfor 30 days and what the goal
truly is.
So, I dedicate this episode toboth of them.
Their questions, curiosity, andreflections have encouraged me
to look deeper and explore morethoughtfully.
Join me as we dive into thesethoughts.
unraveling the depths of faith,purpose, and the divine
connection that shapes ourlives.
(01:33):
Almost every human being asksthis question at least once in
their lifetime.
And when I say every human, Itruly mean it.
What is this question thatoccupies so many minds?
It's the question of God.
What do we truly mean when wecall upon that name?
Is it a being, a force, aconcept, or something beyond all
definitions?
The question of God touches thedeepest parts of our existence,
(01:54):
driving us to seek meaning,purpose, and understanding.
Today we explore that question,not to find definitive answers,
but to journey through thethoughts and philosophies that
have shaped our understandingthroughout history and within
ourselves.
I will start Pascal's argumentthat believing in God is better
than not believing.
The podcaster, Mr.
(02:14):
Hamad Gadiri, disagreed withPascal's logic, but acknowledged
the framework on which it wasbased.
It's worth briefly revisitingPascal's famous Night of Fire, a
profound spiritual experiencethat deeply influenced his faith
and writings.
On the night of November 23,1654, Pascal reportedly
experienced an intense divinerevelation that affirmed his
(02:36):
belief in God.
During this 18-hour encounter,he wrote what is now known as
the Memorial Note, a documentdescribing this transformative
moment.
Today, such experiences areoften referred to as mysticism
moment.
Pascal's argument, however, ispresented as having only two
options, belief in Godcategorizing one as a theist or
non-belief categorizing one aseither an agnostic or an
(02:59):
atheist.
I find this perspective overlysimplistic.
The concept of belief inexistence is far more nuanced,
encompassing four possibilities.
One, belief in God, but God doesnot exist.
Two, non-belief in God, but Goddoes exist.
Three, belief in God, and Goddoes exist.
Or fourth, non-belief in God,and God does not exist.
(03:20):
Furthermore, the distinctionbetween agnostic, uncertainty
about God's existence, andgnostic, acclaimed knowledge of
divine existence, underscoresthe complexity of belief systems
and the wide spectrum ofperspectives surrounding this
timeless question.
(03:40):
Some people believe that God iseverything around us, nature,
all the universes, andeverything that has life within
it.
This concept of God as anall-encompassing presence is
very similar to what manyEastern believers and
philosophers describe.
Religions such as Taoism,Taoism, Confucianism, and Shinto
all embrace philosophies thatemphasize harmony, balance, and
(04:02):
the interconnectedness of allthings.
Even Buddhism, which many of usare familiar with, though not
centered on a creator God,explores similar ideas of unity,
interdependence, and thetranscendence of individual
identity.
Interestingly, many of theworld's Eastern religions,
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism,Sikhism, Taoism, Confucianism,
(04:24):
Shinto, and even the ancientZoroastrianism, share certain
philosophical threads that weavetogether our understanding of
the divine.
One common theme is the focus oninner transformation and
self-realization.
Whether it's the pursuit ofenlightenment in Buddhism, the
quest for moksha in Hinduism, orthe alignment with the Tao in
Taoism, the journey inward isoften seen as the pathway to
(04:48):
understanding the ultimate truthor divine essence.
Another shared element is thecyclical view of time.
While many Western traditionsview time as linear, Eastern
religions often see it as acontinuous cycle of birth,
death, and rebirth.
This belief in reincarnation orcontinuous renewal reflects a
deeper philosophicalunderstanding of life's
(05:08):
interconnectedness and eternalflow.
Speaking of interconnectedness,this theme is also central to
Eastern thought.
Whether it's the harmony withnature emphasized in Taoism, the
principle of nonviolence, ahimsain Jainism, or the duty dharma
in Hinduism, there's arecognition that all beings are
part of a greater whole.
And then there's the concept ofnon-duality, the idea that
(05:31):
distinctions and oppositions weperceive, such as good and evil,
self and other, are merelyillusions.
True understanding lies inrecognizing the underlying unity
of existence.
Hinduism speaks of Brahman, theultimate reality.
Taoism describes the balance ofyin and yang, and Zen Buddhism
guides practitioners totranscend dualistic thinking
(05:52):
altogether.
But perhaps one of the mostimportant similarities is the
acceptance of multiple paths totruth.
Rather than insisting on asingle way to reach the divine,
many of these traditions embracediversity in belief and
practice.
From the many schools ofBuddhism to the inclusive
approach of Hinduism, theunderlying philosophy is often
that truth can be reachedthrough many different paths.
(06:14):
So as we explore the question ofGod, perhaps we are also
exploring these common threads,seeking to understand what lies
beyond definitions anddoctrines.
What does it truly mean to callupon the divine?
And how can these ancientphilosophies help us uncover
deeper truths about our ownexistence?
So far, we've explored how manyEastern religions approach the
(06:36):
question of God, focusing oninner transformation,
interconnectedness, and theacceptance of multiple paths to
truth.
But this inquiry isn't limitedto the East.
Western religions, particularlyChristianity and Judaism, have
also grappled with the questionof God for centuries, offering
their own profound insights andphilosophical frameworks.
(07:04):
In Judaism, God is oftenunderstood as a singular,
omnipotent, omniscient, andbenevolent creator, transcendent
and yet intimately involved withhumanity.
The relationship between God andhuman beings is central, marked
by covenants, commandments, anda continual striving for
righteousness.
The Torah and the Tanakh, theHebrew Bible, serve as both a
(07:25):
spiritual guide and aphilosophical text that explores
morality, justice, and divinepurpose.
Christianity, emerging fromJudaism, retains the emphasis on
a singular, all-powerful God,but introduces a unique concept,
the Trinity, Father, Son, andHoly Spirit.
This complex understanding ofGod reflects an attempt to
(07:47):
reconcile God's transcendencewith his presence in the world
through Jesus Christ.
Love, salvation, and gracebecome central themes, with the
Bible serving as both ahistorical and theological
account of humanity'srelationship with God.
Unlike many Eastern traditionsthat emphasize cycles and
interconnectedness, Judaism andChristianity generally present a
(08:09):
linear view of time, abeginning, a progression, and an
ultimate fulfillment.
History itself is seen aspurposeful, directed by God
toward a final divine plan.
This belief in a purposefulhistory has shaped much of
Western thought and philosophy.
Yet, despite their differencesfrom Eastern traditions, Both
Christianity and Judaism alsotouch upon concepts of inner
(08:31):
transformation and moral growth.
Whether it's the call torepentance and renewal in
Christianity or the emphasis onteshuva, repentance and personal
accountability in Judaism,there's a shared recognition
that spiritual understandingoften involves a journey within.
And while these faiths emphasizea single ultimate truth, they
(08:51):
also engage deeply withphilosophical questions about
the nature of God, good andevil, human purpose and the
meaning of life.
In many ways, the God of theWest is not so different from
the ultimate truth sought byEastern traditions.
Both are quests for somethinggreater, something beyond the
limitations of humanunderstanding.
But here's where it becomesfascinating.
(09:14):
Despite the differences in howGod is conceptualized and
approached, whether throughrituals, scriptures or
philosophical contemplation, theunderlying desire remains the
same, to understand, to connect,and to find meaning.
Now, as we continue to exploreWestern religions, particularly
Christianity and Judaism, it'simportant to note how religious
(09:36):
structures and philosophicalconcepts have evolved over time.
And one of the most fascinatinginfluences on Christianity,
particularly in its hierarchicalorganization, comes from an
unexpected source,Zoroastrianism.
In Zoroastrianism, one of theoldest known monotheistic
(09:58):
religions emerged in ancientPersia, what we now call Iran.
It featured a highly organizedpriestly class known as the
Magi.
These priests weren't justreligious leaders, they were
scholars, ritual specialists,and custodians of sacred texts.
The Magi maintained a clear andformalized hierarchy, with
(10:18):
high-ranking priests overseeingreligious education, rituals,
and administration.
Now, why does this matter?
Well, during the early centuriesof Christianity, the Roman
Empire had substantial contactwith the Persian Empire, where
Zoroastrianism was the dominantreligion.
These interactions weren't justpolitical, they were also
cultural and philosophical.
(10:40):
As Christianity grew,particularly after becoming the
state religion of the RomanEmpire, it started to adopt a
more structured, hierarchicalmodel.
The establishment of bishops,priests, and deacons echoes the
organized structure of seen inZoroastrianism, where religious
duties were divided amongvarious levels of clergy.
This influence became especiallyprominent in the Catholic and
(11:01):
Orthodox churches, whichdeveloped a clear chain of
command, the pope or patriarchat the top, followed by bishops,
priests, and deacons.
Interestingly, this structuredapproach is not only about
maintaining religious purity orguiding worshippers.
It's about creating a systemthat sustains itself, ensuring
continuity of belief andpractice across generations.
(11:23):
This parallels Zoroastrianism'sapproach, where religious
knowledge and authority weremaintained through a
well-defined hierarchy.
Furthermore, some ceremonialaspects of Christian worship,
such as the use of incense,specific liturgical garments and
elaborate rituals, bearsimilarities to Zoroastrian
practices.
Although these parallels are notdirect imitations, they reflect
(11:45):
how cultural exchange andadaptation shape religious
traditions over time.
Now, when we look at Westernreligions, particularly
Christianity and Judaism, we seea strong emphasis on a single,
all-powerful God.
This stands in contrast to manyEastern religions that often
emphasize interconnectedness,duality, and the cyclical nature
of existence.
(12:06):
However, both approaches aretrying to answer the same
fundamental question.
What is the divine, and how dowe relate to it?
But before we dive into howChristianity and Judaism
conceptualize God, It'simportant to understand how
their organizational structures,particularly in the Catholic and
Orthodox traditions, were shapedby historical influences,
(12:26):
including those from religionslike Zoroastrianism.
It's fascinating to see how evenas religions form their own
unique identities, They oftenabsorb elements from other
traditions, sometimesunconsciously, but always in
ways that influence theirdevelopment.
(12:48):
Now, let's turn our attention tohow Judaism and Christianity
define God, how theirphilosophical approaches compare
to those of the East, and howtheir structures and rituals
contribute to their broaderunderstanding of the divine.
Now, as we explore how Judaismand Christianity define God, we
notice key differences from theEastern traditions we discussed
(13:08):
earlier.
Both Judaism and Christianityare monotheistic, centered
around a singular, all-powerful,omniscient, and benevolent
creator.
In Judaism, God is transcendent,yet deeply involved with
humanity through covenants,commandments, and moral
guidance.
The emphasis is on a linearprogression, a purposeful
creation, historical revelation,and eventual fulfillment.
(13:31):
Christianity builds on theseideas, but introduces the
concept of the Trinity, God asFather, Son, and Holy Spirit.
This attempt to reconcile God'stranscendence with his presence
in the world through JesusChrist adds a unique complexity
to its theology.
Where Eastern religions oftenfocus on interconnectedness,
cycles, and transcendingduality, Judaism and
(13:53):
Christianity emphasize arelationship with a personal
moral God who acts withinhistory.
This includes moral laws, divinecommandments, and a clear
distinction between good andevil.
But here's where the parallelemerges.
Just as Eastern traditionsstrive for enlightenment or
unity with a higher truth,Western religions strive for a
deeper relationship with God,whether through obedience,
(14:15):
faith, love, or spiritualrenewal.
The structured hierarchies seenin Catholicism and Orthodoxy,
influenced by systems likeZoroastrianism, serve to
maintain this relationship,ensuring continuity of faith,
doctrine, and practice.
And ultimately, the questionremains the same.
What is the nature of God?
and how do we connect to thatultimate reality.
(14:36):
Next, we'll dive into Islam,another major religion from
Middle East, and explore how itsunderstanding of God both aligns
with and diverges from thetraditions we've discussed so
far.
Since this episode contains somuch information, I've divided
it into two parts.
(14:58):
As we come to the end of today'sepisode, part one, I hope I've
been able to share a glimpse ofthe profound journey that
Ramadan has inspired within me.
Stay tuned for the follow-upepisode where we'll continue
this journey, delving deeperinto Islam, Ramadan, fasting,
and the quest for understandingthat connects us all.
Thank you for listening.
(15:18):
Until next time, keepquestioning, keep exploring, and
stay curious.
Hello, this is another episode of the Tandis
podcast.
My name is Reza Sanjideh.
As always, these podcasts arerooted in the philosophy of
life, with the aim of makingphilosophical thinking an
accessible and meaningful partof our everyday experiences.
(00:24):
Today's episode is a special onethat delves into the profound
and inspiring moments I'veexperienced in Ramadan.
This journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions and
insights, guiding me throughextraordinary moments of
reflection and growth.
What I'm sharing with you todayis not just a story.
It's a philosophicalexploration, one that ultimately
leads back to the essence ofeverything, the philosophy of
(00:46):
God.
But this episode is also deeplypersonal.
It's inspired by conversationswith two important people in my
life.
First, my son, whose passion forphilosophy sparked my own
journey into these deep,timeless questions.
And second, my 13-year-oldgranddaughter, whose curiosity
led her to ask simple yetprofound questions about
Ramadan.
(01:06):
She wanted to know why we fastfor 30 days and what the goal
truly is.
So, I dedicate this episode toboth of them.
Their questions, curiosity, andreflections have encouraged me
to look deeper and explore morethoughtfully.
Join me as we dive into thesethoughts.
unraveling the depths of faith,purpose, and the divine
connection that shapes ourlives.
(01:33):
Almost every human being asksthis question at least once in
their lifetime.
And when I say every human, Itruly mean it.
What is this question thatoccupies so many minds?
It's the question of God.
What do we truly mean when wecall upon that name?
Is it a being, a force, aconcept, or something beyond all
definitions?
The question of God touches thedeepest parts of our existence,
(01:54):
driving us to seek meaning,purpose, and understanding.
Today we explore that question,not to find definitive answers,
but to journey through thethoughts and philosophies that
have shaped our understandingthroughout history and within
ourselves.
I will start Pascal's argumentthat believing in God is better
than not believing.
The podcaster, Mr.
(02:14):
Hamad Gadiri, disagreed withPascal's logic, but acknowledged
the framework on which it wasbased.
It's worth briefly revisitingPascal's famous Night of Fire, a
profound spiritual experiencethat deeply influenced his faith
and writings.
On the night of November 23,1654, Pascal reportedly
experienced an intense divinerevelation that affirmed his
(02:36):
belief in God.
During this 18-hour encounter,he wrote what is now known as
the Memorial Note, a documentdescribing this transformative
moment.
Today, such experiences areoften referred to as mysticism
moment.
Pascal's argument, however, ispresented as having only two
options, belief in Godcategorizing one as a theist or
non-belief categorizing one aseither an agnostic or an
(02:59):
atheist.
I find this perspective overlysimplistic.
The concept of belief inexistence is far more nuanced,
encompassing four possibilities.
One, belief in God, but God doesnot exist.
Two, non-belief in God, but Goddoes exist.
Three, belief in God, and Goddoes exist.
Or fourth, non-belief in God,and God does not exist.
(03:20):
Furthermore, the distinctionbetween agnostic, uncertainty
about God's existence, andgnostic, acclaimed knowledge of
divine existence, underscoresthe complexity of belief systems
and the wide spectrum ofperspectives surrounding this
timeless question.
(03:40):
Some people believe that God iseverything around us, nature,
all the universes, andeverything that has life within
it.
This concept of God as anall-encompassing presence is
very similar to what manyEastern believers and
philosophers describe.
Religions such as Taoism,Taoism, Confucianism, and Shinto
all embrace philosophies thatemphasize harmony, balance, and
(04:02):
the interconnectedness of allthings.
Even Buddhism, which many of usare familiar with, though not
centered on a creator God,explores similar ideas of unity,
interdependence, and thetranscendence of individual
identity.
Interestingly, many of theworld's Eastern religions,
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism,Sikhism, Taoism, Confucianism,
(04:24):
Shinto, and even the ancientZoroastrianism, share certain
philosophical threads that weavetogether our understanding of
the divine.
One common theme is the focus oninner transformation and
self-realization.
Whether it's the pursuit ofenlightenment in Buddhism, the
quest for moksha in Hinduism, orthe alignment with the Tao in
Taoism, the journey inward isoften seen as the pathway to
(04:48):
understanding the ultimate truthor divine essence.
Another shared element is thecyclical view of time.
While many Western traditionsview time as linear, Eastern
religions often see it as acontinuous cycle of birth,
death, and rebirth.
This belief in reincarnation orcontinuous renewal reflects a
deeper philosophicalunderstanding of life's
(05:08):
interconnectedness and eternalflow.
Speaking of interconnectedness,this theme is also central to
Eastern thought.
Whether it's the harmony withnature emphasized in Taoism, the
principle of nonviolence, ahimsain Jainism, or the duty dharma
in Hinduism, there's arecognition that all beings are
part of a greater whole.
And then there's the concept ofnon-duality, the idea that
(05:31):
distinctions and oppositions weperceive, such as good and evil,
self and other, are merelyillusions.
True understanding lies inrecognizing the underlying unity
of existence.
Hinduism speaks of Brahman, theultimate reality.
Taoism describes the balance ofyin and yang, and Zen Buddhism
guides practitioners totranscend dualistic thinking
(05:52):
altogether.
But perhaps one of the mostimportant similarities is the
acceptance of multiple paths totruth.
Rather than insisting on asingle way to reach the divine,
many of these traditions embracediversity in belief and
practice.
From the many schools ofBuddhism to the inclusive
approach of Hinduism, theunderlying philosophy is often
that truth can be reachedthrough many different paths.
(06:14):
So as we explore the question ofGod, perhaps we are also
exploring these common threads,seeking to understand what lies
beyond definitions anddoctrines.
What does it truly mean to callupon the divine?
And how can these ancientphilosophies help us uncover
deeper truths about our ownexistence?
So far, we've explored how manyEastern religions approach the
(06:36):
question of God, focusing oninner transformation,
interconnectedness, and theacceptance of multiple paths to
truth.
But this inquiry isn't limitedto the East.
Western religions, particularlyChristianity and Judaism, have
also grappled with the questionof God for centuries, offering
their own profound insights andphilosophical frameworks.
(07:04):
In Judaism, God is oftenunderstood as a singular,
omnipotent, omniscient, andbenevolent creator, transcendent
and yet intimately involved withhumanity.
The relationship between God andhuman beings is central, marked
by covenants, commandments, anda continual striving for
righteousness.
The Torah and the Tanakh, theHebrew Bible, serve as both a
(07:25):
spiritual guide and aphilosophical text that explores
morality, justice, and divinepurpose.
Christianity, emerging fromJudaism, retains the emphasis on
a singular, all-powerful God,but introduces a unique concept,
the Trinity, Father, Son, andHoly Spirit.
This complex understanding ofGod reflects an attempt to
(07:47):
reconcile God's transcendencewith his presence in the world
through Jesus Christ.
Love, salvation, and gracebecome central themes, with the
Bible serving as both ahistorical and theological
account of humanity'srelationship with God.
Unlike many Eastern traditionsthat emphasize cycles and
interconnectedness, Judaism andChristianity generally present a
(08:09):
linear view of time, abeginning, a progression, and an
ultimate fulfillment.
History itself is seen aspurposeful, directed by God
toward a final divine plan.
This belief in a purposefulhistory has shaped much of
Western thought and philosophy.
Yet, despite their differencesfrom Eastern traditions, Both
Christianity and Judaism alsotouch upon concepts of inner
(08:31):
transformation and moral growth.
Whether it's the call torepentance and renewal in
Christianity or the emphasis onteshuva, repentance and personal
accountability in Judaism,there's a shared recognition
that spiritual understandingoften involves a journey within.
And while these faiths emphasizea single ultimate truth, they
(08:51):
also engage deeply withphilosophical questions about
the nature of God, good andevil, human purpose and the
meaning of life.
In many ways, the God of theWest is not so different from
the ultimate truth sought byEastern traditions.
Both are quests for somethinggreater, something beyond the
limitations of humanunderstanding.
But here's where it becomesfascinating.
(09:14):
Despite the differences in howGod is conceptualized and
approached, whether throughrituals, scriptures or
philosophical contemplation, theunderlying desire remains the
same, to understand, to connect,and to find meaning.
Now, as we continue to exploreWestern religions, particularly
Christianity and Judaism, it'simportant to note how religious
(09:36):
structures and philosophicalconcepts have evolved over time.
And one of the most fascinatinginfluences on Christianity,
particularly in its hierarchicalorganization, comes from an
unexpected source,Zoroastrianism.
In Zoroastrianism, one of theoldest known monotheistic
(09:58):
religions emerged in ancientPersia, what we now call Iran.
It featured a highly organizedpriestly class known as the
Magi.
These priests weren't justreligious leaders, they were
scholars, ritual specialists,and custodians of sacred texts.
The Magi maintained a clear andformalized hierarchy, with
(10:18):
high-ranking priests overseeingreligious education, rituals,
and administration.
Now, why does this matter?
Well, during the early centuriesof Christianity, the Roman
Empire had substantial contactwith the Persian Empire, where
Zoroastrianism was the dominantreligion.
These interactions weren't justpolitical, they were also
cultural and philosophical.
(10:40):
As Christianity grew,particularly after becoming the
state religion of the RomanEmpire, it started to adopt a
more structured, hierarchicalmodel.
The establishment of bishops,priests, and deacons echoes the
organized structure of seen inZoroastrianism, where religious
duties were divided amongvarious levels of clergy.
This influence became especiallyprominent in the Catholic and
(11:01):
Orthodox churches, whichdeveloped a clear chain of
command, the pope or patriarchat the top, followed by bishops,
priests, and deacons.
Interestingly, this structuredapproach is not only about
maintaining religious purity orguiding worshippers.
It's about creating a systemthat sustains itself, ensuring
continuity of belief andpractice across generations.
(11:23):
This parallels Zoroastrianism'sapproach, where religious
knowledge and authority weremaintained through a
well-defined hierarchy.
Furthermore, some ceremonialaspects of Christian worship,
such as the use of incense,specific liturgical garments and
elaborate rituals, bearsimilarities to Zoroastrian
practices.
Although these parallels are notdirect imitations, they reflect
(11:45):
how cultural exchange andadaptation shape religious
traditions over time.
Now, when we look at Westernreligions, particularly
Christianity and Judaism, we seea strong emphasis on a single,
all-powerful God.
This stands in contrast to manyEastern religions that often
emphasize interconnectedness,duality, and the cyclical nature
of existence.
(12:06):
However, both approaches aretrying to answer the same
fundamental question.
What is the divine, and how dowe relate to it?
But before we dive into howChristianity and Judaism
conceptualize God, It'simportant to understand how
their organizational structures,particularly in the Catholic and
Orthodox traditions, were shapedby historical influences,
(12:26):
including those from religionslike Zoroastrianism.
It's fascinating to see how evenas religions form their own
unique identities, They oftenabsorb elements from other
traditions, sometimesunconsciously, but always in
ways that influence theirdevelopment.
(12:48):
Now, let's turn our attention tohow Judaism and Christianity
define God, how theirphilosophical approaches compare
to those of the East, and howtheir structures and rituals
contribute to their broaderunderstanding of the divine.
Now, as we explore how Judaismand Christianity define God, we
notice key differences from theEastern traditions we discussed
(13:08):
earlier.
Both Judaism and Christianityare monotheistic, centered
around a singular, all-powerful,omniscient, and benevolent
creator.
In Judaism, God is transcendent,yet deeply involved with
humanity through covenants,commandments, and moral
guidance.
The emphasis is on a linearprogression, a purposeful
creation, historical revelation,and eventual fulfillment.
(13:31):
Christianity builds on theseideas, but introduces the
concept of the Trinity, God asFather, Son, and Holy Spirit.
This attempt to reconcile God'stranscendence with his presence
in the world through JesusChrist adds a unique complexity
to its theology.
Where Eastern religions oftenfocus on interconnectedness,
cycles, and transcendingduality, Judaism and
(13:53):
Christianity emphasize arelationship with a personal
moral God who acts withinhistory.
This includes moral laws, divinecommandments, and a clear
distinction between good andevil.
But here's where the parallelemerges.
Just as Eastern traditionsstrive for enlightenment or
unity with a higher truth,Western religions strive for a
deeper relationship with God,whether through obedience,
(14:15):
faith, love, or spiritualrenewal.
The structured hierarchies seenin Catholicism and Orthodoxy,
influenced by systems likeZoroastrianism, serve to
maintain this relationship,ensuring continuity of faith,
doctrine, and practice.
And ultimately, the questionremains the same.
What is the nature of God?
and how do we connect to thatultimate reality.
(14:36):
Next, we'll dive into Islam,another major religion from
Middle East, and explore how itsunderstanding of God both aligns
with and diverges from thetraditions we've discussed so
far.
Since this episode contains somuch information, I've divided
it into two parts.
(14:58):
As we come to the end of today'sepisode, part one, I hope I've
been able to share a glimpse ofthe profound journey that
Ramadan has inspired within me.
Stay tuned for the follow-upepisode where we'll continue
this journey, delving deeperinto Islam, Ramadan, fasting,
and the quest for understandingthat connects us all.
Thank you for listening.
(15:18):
Until next time, keepquestioning, keep exploring, and
stay curious.
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