Religion within the Boundaries of Mere Reason is a collection of Immanuel Kant’s thoughts and philosophy of religion. Kant believes that religion is an intuition that human beings are born with which helps us determine what is right and wrong. The author also believes that institutionalized religion hinders individuals from developing genuine religious experiences. Kant lays out his argument in four sections-In the first section Kant examines the radical evil inherent in human nature; second, the personification of Jesus Christ; third, good triumphs over evil; and fourth, the difference between true and false worship to God.
In the first section, Kant commences with a question of whether humans are born good or evil. Kant believes that people are born with two simultaneous urges that determine good and immoral behavior. He believes that we engage in good behaviors to satisfy four urges that exist in every individual: the first is to maintain stable relationships with others, the second is increasing the population, and the third is fostering meaning, and finally respecting the moral rule. According to Kant, we are also inclined to do evil acts to satisfy our selfish desires. He goes ahead to give an example of the evil that is evident in the world-our current political, cultural, and social lives are filled with such selfishness.
In the second part, Kant paints Jesus as the personification of good morals and upright principles, he also poses the devil as the lord of evil. However, Kant states that the devil’s hold on evil is a God-given authority. God is in control of both good and evil but has given humans the freedom of choice, to decide on which side they fall. The conflict between good and evil thus originates from the devil who inclined on tempting humans to worship him rather than Jesus. However, God remains the ultimate lawmaker.
In the third section, Kant says it is possible for people to create a morally upright society. A society that encourages and rewards good over evil. Such a community will henceforth be committed to leading morally upright lives even without the aid of religious institutions and practices. Being morally sound would require people to understand and accept good acts as a duty other than a profession of faith.
In the last section, Kant strongly criticizes institutionalized religion. He claims going to places of worship and professing our faith will never change our morally corrupt ways. People only need to accept the moral law and take up the responsibility to transform themselves into morally upright individuals.
