The Existence of God

“God is too big for just one religion.”

— Michael Franti

Is the Existence of God a Matter of Faith?

I shouldn’t be writing about God because I hardly understand the concept. It is a belief, more than anything else. It does not necessarily fit into the expectations of those who demand rationality and rely on evidence to draw logical conclusions.

One could debate the existence of God for hours and still fail to arrive at a conclusive answer.

An elderly person in my circle once said:

“Ishwar charcha ka nahin, aastha ka vishay hai.”

Translation: God is not a subject of debate; it is a matter of faith.

To me, that higher energy does exist, whatever name we choose to give it.

Why Do I Believe in a Supreme Energy?

The existence of God is my answer to questions such as: Why are we not all born equal? What happens to those who commit wrongdoings but escape legal accountability during their lifetime? Who administers the workings of the theory of Karma? And to whom are actions performed under the codes of conduct prescribed by different religions ultimately answerable?

The absence of belief in a supreme energy also takes away the comfort that many people find in the powerful practice of prayer.

Billions of people across the planet, belonging to different religions, hold themselves accountable to a higher power. In my view, this belief can encourage moral responsibility and help maintain social order.

If every single person were to become an atheist, I find it difficult to imagine how the world would function. Of course, morality and responsible behaviour can also exist without religious belief, but faith remains an important source of guidance for many people.

Monotheism: One God for Everyone

Another concept that has been grossly misinterpreted, to say the least, is monotheism.

I do believe in monotheism, which means the existence of only one God. However, that one God is the same for everyone, irrespective of caste, creed, or religion.

We cannot assign a different one to each faith in a way that excludes everyone else. If that were the case, each faith might consider itself monotheistic, but the world as a whole would effectively be divided among competing claims about different supreme beings.

God is not the exclusive domain of a sect or a community.

For believers, there is one God, and that God is the same for everyone.

Even Hinduism, which is often described as polytheistic because of its many deities, includes philosophical traditions that understand ultimate reality as one. In these traditions, Parmatma or Brahman represents the supreme or ultimate reality, while different deities may be understood as manifestations of that one divine reality.

One Supreme Reality, Many Expressions

Different religions may choose to worship, love, or fear their respective understanding of the supreme power. Yet, as tiny beings in this vast universe, we are all living under the same cosmic existence.

Consider the example of international law. Residents of different countries must abide by their respective national laws, but they also operate within a broader international framework. Without shared principles and cooperation, the world would be far more vulnerable to disorder.

Similarly, I believe that different religions may be referring to the same eternal existence, even when they describe it through different names, symbols, and traditions.

Consider a few examples.

Hinduism: Adidev

Hindus refer to Lord Shiva as Adidev, a name associated with the primordial or first divine being. In some traditions, Shiva is regarded as the supreme deity.

The lyrics of the Hindi song Jai Ho Shankara include:

“Srishti ke janam se bhi pehle tera vaas tha.”

Translation: You existed even before the universe came into being.

Sufism: Kun Faya Kun

The Sufi song Kun Faya Kun expresses a similar idea of divine existence preceding everything else:

“Jab kahin pe kuchh bhi nahin tha, wahi tha, wahi tha.”

Translation: When nothing at all existed, He was there; He was there.

Sikhism: Ek Onkar

The Sikh spiritual tradition expresses the idea of one divine reality through Ik Onkar. The Mool Mantar also includes the words:

“Aad sach, jugaad sach.”

Translation: True in the beginning and true throughout the ages.

These expressions emerge from different spiritual traditions, yet each invites us to contemplate an existence that transcends ordinary human boundaries.

When Religion Becomes a Reason for Division

We cannot force the existence of God into our respective versions of truth or the codes we have devised for ourselves.

Ironically, some so-called leaders exploit religious rhetoric and encourage people to fight with one another, often serving their own vested interests.

A Hindi song, Kasme Vaade, contains a powerful passage that questions the hypocrisy of religious divisions:

“Kaam agar ye Hindu ka hai, mandir kisne loota hai?

Muslim ka hai kaam agar ye, Khuda ka ghar kyun toota hai?

Jis mazhab mein jaayaz hai ye, woh mazhab toh jhootha hai.”

The lines challenge us to examine the contradiction between professing religious devotion and committing acts that violate the very values religion is supposed to uphold.

Rather than risk doing injustice to the depth of this thought through an inadequate interpretation, I would encourage readers to explore the song and reflect on its message themselves.

The central question remains: how can we claim to love God while allowing hatred, injustice, and violence to flourish in His name?

The Forgotten Principle: God Is One

We were taught the basic principles of respecting all religions and believing that God is one. Yet, certain selfish interests continue to prevent us from making this world a better place.

Religious traditions may differ in their beliefs, practices, and interpretations. Respecting those differences does not require us to agree on everything. It requires us to recognise the dignity of others and resist turning faith into a reason for hatred.

My Understanding of Monotheism

I believe in a supreme energy, and I believe that this energy is one and common to everyone in this vast universe.

That, to me, is monotheism in its true spirit.

It is also my way of interpreting the quote mentioned at the beginning of this article:

“God is too big for just one religion.”

At the end of the day, we may even choose not to believe in this single supreme energy, if that is what works for us. Belief itself cannot be forced upon anyone.

What I find difficult to understand is the point of creating divisions based on our different and exclusive definitions of that energy.

If nothing else, let us do good deeds and serve others.

“Par seva hi Narayan seva.”

Translation: Serving others is serving God.

Perhaps we do not need to resolve every philosophical disagreement about God’s existence before we learn to treat one another with compassion.

If God exists, His language is Love.