“This book is the direct and inspired word of God. It is a holy book, and you should believe me when I say it is inspired by God. Everything in this book is from God and is true.”
Statements like this are common across many religions. Christians often believe the Bible is the literal word of God. Muslims hold the same conviction about the Quran. Jews see the Torah as divinely inspired, while Hindus may regard texts like the Vedas as sacred revelations. In each case, followers are taught from a young age to accept the authority and divine origin of their scriptures—usually without question.
The Power of Authority and Tradition
Why do so many people accept these claims without investigation? One major reason is our tendency to trust authority figures—priests, imams, rabbis, monks, and religious scholars—who are seen as spiritual guides. These leaders interpret the texts, often shaping their communities’ understanding of what the scriptures actually say. Over generations, these interpretations become tradition, making it even harder for individuals to question or challenge them.
For example:
- In Christianity, the doctrine of the Trinity is not explicitly spelled out in the Bible, but centuries of church tradition have made it central to Christian belief.
- In Islam, the Hadith (sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad) are used alongside the Quran to guide daily life, even though their authenticity and origins have been debated by scholars.
- In Hinduism, the Bhagavad Gita is often quoted as a spiritual guide, but its interpretation varies widely among different sects and teachers.
Investigating the Origins
If we set aside tradition and authority for a moment and examine how these texts came to be, a different picture emerges. Historical and textual analysis reveals that:
- The Bible was written over centuries by multiple authors, edited and compiled long after the events it describes. The process of canonization—deciding which books were “in” or “out”—was a human, not divine, endeavor.
- The Quran was compiled after Muhammad’s death, with various versions reportedly existing before a standardized text was established.
- The Book of Mormon, central to the Latter-day Saint movement, was claimed by Joseph Smith to be a direct translation of golden plates delivered by an angel—yet no physical evidence of these plates exists.
Similar stories can be found in other faiths:
- The Guru Granth Sahib of Sikhism was compiled by human hands, even as Sikhs revere it as the eternal Guru.
- The Tripitaka in Buddhism was passed down orally for centuries before being written, raising questions about accuracy and authorship.
The Gap Between Text and Teaching
Another striking observation is the difference between what is actually written in these holy books and what is taught by religious leaders. Many times, the teachings of preachers and priests diverge from the original texts.
For instance:
- Some Christian denominations preach prosperity gospel, promising wealth and health to believers, even though the Bible often warns against the love of money.
- In Islam, cultural practices such as honor killings are sometimes justified in the name of religion, despite having no basis in the Quran.
- In Hinduism, the caste system has been justified using religious texts, yet many scholars argue this is a misinterpretation or manipulation of the original scriptures.
The Great Delusion: Blind Faith or Informed Belief?
This leads to a crucial question: Could the widespread belief in the divine origin of holy books be a “great delusion”? Are we too quick to accept these claims simply because an authority figure or tradition tells us to do so?
If we never question or investigate, we risk being manipulated or led into harmful beliefs and actions. History is full of examples where religious texts have been used to justify violence, discrimination, and oppression:
- The Crusades were launched in the name of Christianity.
- The concept of jihad has been used to justify terrorism, even though its original meaning is spiritual struggle.
- The justification of slavery and apartheid was often rooted in selective readings of religious texts.
The Role of Conscience
Perhaps the true test of faith is not blind obedience to a book or a leader, but the courage to do what is right based on our own conscience and reason. Shouldn’t we ask ourselves whether something is good or bad, not just because a book says so, but because it aligns with our sense of justice, empathy, and compassion?
Conclusion: Toward a More Thoughtful Faith
In summary, the belief that holy books are the direct word of God is widespread but often unexamined. By investigating the origins of these texts, questioning the interpretations of authority figures, and listening to our own conscience, we can move beyond “the great delusion” and toward a more thoughtful, authentic, and compassionate faith.
If you’d like, I can add even more historical or contemporary examples, or suggest further reading on this topic. Let me know how you’d like to expand or focus the discussion!
By Jesse E.Agbe (JCharis)