by Virginia Gaces

Created on: September 20, 2008   Last Updated: February 12, 2009

Philosophy is defined by Webster as: "The pursuit of wisdom". In short philosophy is the study of life itself; the intricacies, problems and challenges that you encounter in life. Since religion is a part of our daily lives and of humanity since time immemorial, it would be difficult to separate one from the other.

Religion could only exist when coupled with philosophy which has a vital, dynamic role. This is because without philosophy, religion does not have any means of clarifying itself to prove the existence of God.

What are the specific roles of philosophy in religion? The following are considered as the roles of Philosophy:

1. Philosophy has an essential role in establishing and proving the existence of God. When a person wants to prove the existence of God, one has to use philosophy. Empirical methods do not completely support the existence of God. One has to go through the process of hypothesis, logic and then a logical conclusion.

One specific example is this:

The universe exists.

Only someone more knowledgeable and powerful than man could create the universe.

Only a super being like God could do that;

Therefore, God exists.

2. Philosophy is also constantly used in debating the various theories of different religions like, "The Divine Trinity", "Heaven", "Purgatory", "Reincarnation", "Karma", "The Middle Way, etc.

Since faith and religion could not be proven through experimentation and research, they now could only be presented logically through philosophy.

3. Religion has provided a place where people could be able to find peace and contentment by way of philosophy.

Philosophy acts as the pacifier and serves as the venue for believers to be able to renew their faith through "philosophizing".

In reality, religion is the product of philosophy. It is because of philosophy that religion came to be. If man did not seek the answers to his existence, to his meaning in life, to his purpose in this world, then religion would not have been established.

They say that religion acts as the panacea for all human illnesses and problems and this is probably true because men tend to rationalize poverty and illness as a means of purifying themselves spiritually.

Religion without philosophy is like a rudderless ship; it is sailing but with no specific destination.

Philosophy gives this direction to religion and at times religion too gives the direction to a person's formation of his philosophy in life.

It goes without saying that the two coexist with each other and need each other to be able to be complete, for what is philosophy without religion? And what is religion without philosophy? Your answer is as good as mine!

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