Hello, this is another episode of the Tandis podcast. My name is Reza Sanjideh. As always, these podcasts are rooted in the philosophy of life, with the aim of making philosophical thinking an accessible and meaningful part of our everyday experiences. Today's episode is a special one that delves into the profound and inspiring moments I've experienced in Ramadan. This journey has been a roller coaster of emotions and insights, guiding me through extraordinary moments of reflection and growth. What I'm sharing with you today is not just a story. It's a philosophical exploration, one that ultimately leads back to the essence of everything, the philosophy of God. But this episode is also deeply personal. It's inspired by conversations with two important people in my life. First, my son, whose passion for philosophy sparked my own journey into these deep, timeless questions. And second, my 13-year-old granddaughter, whose curiosity led her to ask simple yet profound questions about Ramadan. She wanted to know why we fast for 30 days and what the goal truly is. So, I dedicate this episode to both of them. Their questions, curiosity, and reflections have encouraged me to look deeper and explore more thoughtfully. Join me as we dive into these thoughts. unraveling the depths of faith, purpose, and the divine connection that shapes our lives. Almost every human being asks this question at least once in their lifetime. And when I say every human, I truly mean it. What is this question that occupies so many minds? It's the question of God. What do we truly mean when we call upon that name? Is it a being, a force, a concept, or something beyond all definitions? The question of God touches the deepest parts of our existence, driving us to seek meaning, purpose, and understanding. Today we explore that question, not to find definitive answers, but to journey through the thoughts and philosophies that have shaped our understanding throughout history and within ourselves. I will start Pascal's argument that believing in God is better than not believing. The podcaster, Mr. Hamad Gadiri, disagreed with Pascal's logic, but acknowledged the framework on which it was based. It's worth briefly revisiting Pascal's famous Night of Fire, a profound spiritual experience that deeply influenced his faith and writings. On the night of November 23, 1654, Pascal reportedly experienced an intense divine revelation that affirmed his belief in God. During this 18-hour encounter, he wrote what is now known as the Memorial Note, a document describing this transformative moment. Today, such experiences are often referred to as mysticism moment. Pascal's argument, however, is presented as having only two options, belief in God categorizing one as a theist or non-belief categorizing one as either an agnostic or an atheist. I find this perspective overly simplistic. The concept of belief in existence is far more nuanced, encompassing four possibilities. One, belief in God, but God does not exist. Two, non-belief in God, but God does exist. Three, belief in God, and God does exist. Or fourth, non-belief in God, and God does not exist. Furthermore, the distinction between agnostic, uncertainty about God's existence, and gnostic, acclaimed knowledge of divine existence, underscores the complexity of belief systems and the wide spectrum of perspectives surrounding this timeless question. Some people believe that God is everything around us, nature, all the universes, and everything that has life within it. This concept of God as an all-encompassing presence is very similar to what many Eastern believers and philosophers describe. Religions such as Taoism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Shinto all embrace philosophies that emphasize harmony, balance, and the interconnectedness of all things. Even Buddhism, which many of us are familiar with, though not centered on a creator God, explores similar ideas of unity, interdependence, and the transcendence of individual identity. Interestingly, many of the world's Eastern religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto, and even the ancient Zoroastrianism, share certain philosophical threads that weave together our understanding of the divine. One common theme is the focus on inner transformation and self-realization. Whether it's the pursuit of enlightenment in Buddhism, the quest for moksha in Hinduism, or the alignment with the Tao in Taoism, the journey inward is often seen as the pathway to understanding the ultimate truth or divine essence. Another shared element is the cyclical view of time. While many Western traditions view time as linear, Eastern religions often see it as a continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. This belief in reincarnation or continuous renewal reflects a deeper philosophical understanding of life's interconnectedness and eternal flow. Speaking of interconnectedness, this theme is also central to Eastern thought. Whether it's the harmony with nature emphasized in Taoism, the principle of nonviolence, ahimsa in Jainism, or the duty dharma in Hinduism, there's a recognition that all beings are part of a greater whole. And then there's the concept of non-duality, the idea that distinctions and oppositions we perceive, such as good and evil, self and other, are merely illusions. True understanding lies in recognizing the underlying unity of existence. Hinduism speaks of Brahman, the ultimate reality. Taoism describes the balance of yin and yang, and Zen Buddhism guides practitioners to transcend dualistic thinking altogether. But perhaps one of the most important similarities is the acceptance of multiple paths to truth. Rather than insisting on a single way to reach the divine, many of these traditions embrace diversity in belief and practice. From the many schools of Buddhism to the inclusive approach of Hinduism, the underlying philosophy is often that truth can be reached through many different paths. So as we explore the question of God, perhaps we are also exploring these common threads, seeking to understand what lies beyond definitions and doctrines. What does it truly mean to call upon the divine? And how can these ancient philosophies help us uncover deeper truths about our own existence? So far, we've explored how many Eastern religions approach the question of God, focusing on inner transformation, interconnectedness, and the acceptance of multiple paths to truth. But this inquiry isn't limited to the East. Western religions, particularly Christianity and Judaism, have also grappled with the question of God for centuries, offering their own profound insights and philosophical frameworks. In Judaism, God is often understood as a singular, omnipotent, omniscient, and benevolent creator, transcendent and yet intimately involved with humanity. The relationship between God and human beings is central, marked by covenants, commandments, and a continual striving for righteousness. The Torah and the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible, serve as both a spiritual guide and a philosophical text that explores morality, justice, and divine purpose. Christianity, emerging from Judaism, retains the emphasis on a singular, all-powerful God, but introduces a unique concept, the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This complex understanding of God reflects an attempt to reconcile God's transcendence with his presence in the world through Jesus Christ. Love, salvation, and grace become central themes, with the Bible serving as both a historical and theological account of humanity's relationship with God. Unlike many Eastern traditions that emphasize cycles and interconnectedness, Judaism and Christianity generally present a linear view of time, a beginning, a progression, and an ultimate fulfillment. History itself is seen as purposeful, directed by God toward a final divine plan. This belief in a purposeful history has shaped much of Western thought and philosophy. Yet, despite their differences from Eastern traditions, Both Christianity and Judaism also touch upon concepts of inner transformation and moral growth. Whether it's the call to repentance and renewal in Christianity or the emphasis on teshuva, repentance and personal accountability in Judaism, there's a shared recognition that spiritual understanding often involves a journey within. And while these faiths emphasize a single ultimate truth, they also engage deeply with philosophical questions about the nature of God, good and evil, human purpose and the meaning of life. In many ways, the God of the West is not so different from the ultimate truth sought by Eastern traditions. Both are quests for something greater, something beyond the limitations of human understanding. But here's where it becomes fascinating. Despite the differences in how God is conceptualized and approached, whether through rituals, scriptures or philosophical contemplation, the underlying desire remains the same, to understand, to connect, and to find meaning. Now, as we continue to explore Western religions, particularly Christianity and Judaism, it's important to note how religious structures and philosophical concepts have evolved over time. And one of the most fascinating influences on Christianity, particularly in its hierarchical organization, comes from an unexpected source, Zoroastrianism. In Zoroastrianism, one of the oldest known monotheistic religions emerged in ancient Persia, what we now call Iran. It featured a highly organized priestly class known as the Magi. These priests weren't just religious leaders, they were scholars, ritual specialists, and custodians of sacred texts. The Magi maintained a clear and formalized hierarchy, with high-ranking priests overseeing religious education, rituals, and administration. Now, why does this matter? Well, during the early centuries of Christianity, the Roman Empire had substantial contact with the Persian Empire, where Zoroastrianism was the dominant religion. These interactions weren't just political, they were also cultural and philosophical. As Christianity grew, particularly after becoming the state religion of the Roman Empire, it started to adopt a more structured, hierarchical model. The establishment of bishops, priests, and deacons echoes the organized structure of seen in Zoroastrianism, where religious duties were divided among various levels of clergy. This influence became especially prominent in the Catholic and Orthodox churches, which developed a clear chain of command, the pope or patriarch at the top, followed by bishops, priests, and deacons. Interestingly, this structured approach is not only about maintaining religious purity or guiding worshippers. It's about creating a system that sustains itself, ensuring continuity of belief and practice across generations. This parallels Zoroastrianism's approach, where religious knowledge and authority were maintained through a well-defined hierarchy. Furthermore, some ceremonial aspects of Christian worship, such as the use of incense, specific liturgical garments and elaborate rituals, bear similarities to Zoroastrian practices. Although these parallels are not direct imitations, they reflect how cultural exchange and adaptation shape religious traditions over time. Now, when we look at Western religions, particularly Christianity and Judaism, we see a strong emphasis on a single, all-powerful God. This stands in contrast to many Eastern religions that often emphasize interconnectedness, duality, and the cyclical nature of existence. However, both approaches are trying to answer the same fundamental question. What is the divine, and how do we relate to it? But before we dive into how Christianity and Judaism conceptualize God, It's important to understand how their organizational structures, particularly in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions, were shaped by historical influences, including those from religions like Zoroastrianism. It's fascinating to see how even as religions form their own unique identities, They often absorb elements from other traditions, sometimes unconsciously, but always in ways that influence their development. Now, let's turn our attention to how Judaism and Christianity define God, how their philosophical approaches compare to those of the East, and how their structures and rituals contribute to their broader understanding of the divine. Now, as we explore how Judaism and Christianity define God, we notice key differences from the Eastern traditions we discussed earlier. Both Judaism and Christianity are 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 linear progression, a purposeful creation, historical revelation, and eventual fulfillment. Christianity builds on these ideas, but introduces the concept of the Trinity, God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This attempt to reconcile God's transcendence with his presence in the world through Jesus Christ adds a unique complexity to its theology. Where Eastern religions often focus on interconnectedness, cycles, and transcending duality, Judaism and Christianity emphasize a relationship with a personal moral God who acts within history. This includes moral laws, divine commandments, and a clear distinction between good and evil. But here's where the parallel emerges. Just as Eastern traditions strive for enlightenment or unity with a higher truth, Western religions strive for a deeper relationship with God, whether through obedience, faith, love, or spiritual renewal. The structured hierarchies seen in Catholicism and Orthodoxy, influenced by systems like Zoroastrianism, serve to maintain this relationship, ensuring continuity of faith, doctrine, and practice. And ultimately, the question remains the same. What is the nature of God? and how do we connect to that ultimate reality. Next, we'll dive into Islam, another major religion from Middle East, and explore how its understanding of God both aligns with and diverges from the traditions we've discussed so far. Since this episode contains so much information, I've divided it into two parts. As we come to the end of today's episode, part one, I hope I've been able to share a glimpse of the profound journey that Ramadan has inspired within me. Stay tuned for the follow-up episode where we'll continue this journey, delving deeper into Islam, Ramadan, fasting, and the quest for understanding that connects us all. Thank you for listening. Until next time, keep questioning, keep exploring, and stay curious.