Quick Summary: In summary, the binding religious creed refers to a set of beliefs or principles that are considered essential within a religious tradition. It serves as a guide, outlining the core tenets and practices that followers of that religion are expected to adhere to. Jonathan Peterson, a scholar, suggests that a binding creed is driven by an unalterable God and those who stray from it face potential dangers. Kant, however, takes issue with the authority placed by the binding creed, as he promotes independent thinking and the questioning of religious power. Kant who wrote in the ‘Age of Enlightenment’ challenges the idea of relying on someone else's thought instead of using one's own reason.
The binding religious creed refers to a set of beliefs or principles that are considered essential and foundational within a particular religious tradition. It is a statement or a code that outlines the core tenets, doctrines, or principles that followers of that religion are expected to adhere to.
In simpler words, the binding religious creed can be thought of as a summary or a guide to what a specific religion believes and teaches. It serves as a framework for understanding the fundamental truths, values, and practices that shape the religious community and its followers' lives.
Elaborating on it more, Jonathan Peterson, a noted scholar points that a binding creed is something that is primarily driven by a God who is persistent, unalterable, and not to be doubted by anyone publicly that is beyond suspicion. If one is to stray away from the binding creed, the dangers of it are revealed making people committed to the binding creed. For example, the image given below. Imagine humans as the sheep who are kept in a single file by the shepherd that is the God or the binding creed and if the sheep strays away from the path, it is exposed to the beatings of the shepherd, that is fear leading them to the path of the binding creed.
Why Kant finds a problem with this binding creed is simple. As we saw in the previous blog, “Kant’s Enlightenment” Kant is heavily against the private use of reason as compared to the public use of reason. He wants people to think for themselves and not be guided by someone else’s thought. The authority binding creed places over people is what Kant is calling into objection and asking us to go against. We must also remember that Kant wrote in the ‘Age of Enlightenment’ that was signified by moving away from the stringent forces of religion and questioning the power of Church.
Via: Modern Farmer
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