The God Instinct

What Is Happening Spiritually in the World Today?

Many people who claim to be atheists actually have faith in the unseen realm. Over 50% of Chinese atheists believe in hidden forces of good and evil, 20% of atheists in the UK believe in supernatural entities. Surely these people are not devoid of faith and spirituality. These so-called atheists are not ignorant and, on average, score higher in religious knowledge tests than others. They are not passive but actually appear to be searching for the unbiased truth without bias more than others. Perhaps, many faithful people without clear guidance have sunk into the disease of apathy.

What Has Happened to the Old Religious Order?

We have lost connection with the old order our places of worship have been locked up but still adorned in gold with lavish carpets, echoing with psalms and hymns. Yet, at a time of crisis and social change, they are no longer a voice of support or seat of moral growth for a new generation. Perhaps in the end, we shall find our temple was inside us all along?

We have lost respect for ‘our holier than thou’ priests and vicars, who created the idea of a God sitting on a throne in the sky. They do not seem to represent us or even care about us, especially as they do not practice what they preach and twist the words of God, to suit their own desires. Why would they listen anyway? They exclaim hatred of outsiders and make us feel guilty for our mistakes made in ignorance. They want our worship, and say we are doomed to eternal hellfire if we do not submit. Fear is their motivation. All we need to do is memorise and recite a few words from a sacred text to get what we want from this life. There is no need to understand its meaning. Everything will be just fine. Televangelists use Sacred books for personal gain, with mega-churches like palaces, villas in the sun, a fleet of cars, and private jets to reach their flock. They expect us to roll out the red carpet for them. Perhaps, in the end, we will find the sacred knowledge we needed was within us all along?

What Do We Believe Our Political Leaders Are Offering Us Today?

It does not seem to make any difference what system of governance we submit to, since every ‘ism’ we choose seems to lead to more schism. Every choice seems to lead to greater confusion and self-delusion: communism, fascism, socialism – and even democracy. How is it truly the rule of the people when those in charge that we supposedly choose dictate their own will to us? We are battery cells for the machine. Did we ever sign up to give our hard-earned taxes to support wars against innocent people in far-off lands? Have we not chosen the sweet shop owner who gives us comfort and distractions rather than the wise doctor who gives us the bitter cure? With all this mismanagement, our problems have magnified. The wealth divide grows, more are on the breadline, debt servitude, less access to medical care, house repossession, more divorce, more racism. We feel more isolated and more despair. There is more depression and suicide. Perhaps, in the end, we will realise there is another way.

With What Have We Replaced the Worn Out Idols?

Now celebrity idols have encouraged us to fill this void with the religion of Thelema, as Alister Crowley said, ‘Do as thou wilt’, following our egoistic urges for selfish gain. This notion takes a multitude of forms: pushing for a higher status or salary; more sexual partners; more holidays; a bigger house; but it seems no matter what we attain, we always seek more. Such an attitude always seems to involve us hurting or manipulating those around us, and all this self-seeking often makes us feel hollow inside.

Some have sought to pursue seemingly selfless acts, such as meditation, yoga or alternative health remedies, traveling to appreciate and adjust to different cultures. We gain spiritual insights, but global dilemmas such as famine, war, disease, and injustice still persist. Why did all the messengers before speak of selflessness to progress on the path of enlightenment?

So What Do We Believe Remains at the Core of Our Being?

We believe that despite all of this welling up of hurt and frustration, a yearning remains inside us to find and bond with a higher truth. The following of personal material gain and cult of celebrity has not given us peace and calm inside – we still see hatred and injustice at the core of our lives. Yet, we still instinctively understand and respect the ‘Law of Karma’, looking out for our elderly neighbour, ensuring we do not hurt one another’s feelings. Why would we bother if we did not think we were accountable? We are warmed to see a clip of animals leap into a raging river to save another. What is the spark that is helping us realise and practice such morality? Is there perhaps a God instinct within us that urges us to follow the primal law that we should do unto others as we would have done unto ourselves.

Is There Any Proof That We Have a God Instinct Within Us?

Science has proven that many of those who label themselves agnostics believed, as children, in a supernatural God, who would know unseen matters. For instance He would know the unseen contents locked away in a safe. They recognised order and design to the world. 50% of all four-year-olds have an imaginary friend. Only as we get older and we go to school and work does this seem to, quite literally, get drilled out of us. If we are fair to ourselves, do we not need to go back within ourselves? The truth is, every single person alive has wondered whether God exists. This is evidence of a God instinct. Imam Ahmad Al-Hassan (fhip) has said: