Sunday, February 9, 1913, at 30 rue St. Didier, Paris.
(Translated from notes in Persian)
Today someone asked a question regarding the existence of
God. What are the proofs throng through
which one can establish the existence of God?
People are divided into two sections, one which is satisfied
with the knowledge of the attributes of divinity, and the other which strives
to establish the existence of divinity, and be informed of the fundamental
principles of divine philosophy. Therefore today If will speak to you of the
proofs which establish scientifically the existence of God. I will not quote to
you the scriptural proofs from the Old and the New Testament or the Qur’an, for
you are more or less familiar with those ideas. Consequently I will deal with
this abject from an intellectual standpoint. As it is an abstruse subject I
request you to give your utmost attention.
When we look upon all
forms of phenomena we observe that they are the results of composition. For
example, certain single atoms are brought together through the inherent law of
elective affinity existing between these various particles, the result of which
is the human being. A number of primordial atoms have gone into the makeup of a
plant, the result of which is the flower.
Again looking into the mineral kingdom we observe that this
law of cohesion is working in the same manner in that kingdom, for we see that
many atoms go into the composition of a piece of stone which through
purification may reach to the state of a mirror.
In short, the existence of life depends upon the composition
and decomposition of phenomena. When the particles of a given composition are
disintegrated this may be called non-existence, but the original simple atoms
will go back to their primary elements and are ever existent. For instance, the
body of man being the resultant factor of the composition of these atoms, when
this body becomes the subject of decomposition we call that death, but those
atoms of which the body of man was composed, being simpleand primordial, are
indestructible. Consequently it is proved that the existence of phenomena depends
upon composition and their mortality upon decomposition.
This is a scientific principle; science approves of it,
because it is not a matter of belief. There is a great difference between
theories upheld by belief, and facts which are substantiated by science.
Beliefs are the susceptibilities of conscience, but scientific facts are the
deductions of reason and inexorable logic.
Therefore it is logically proven that the existence of
phenomena depends up on composition and their destruction upon disintegration.
Now going back to our subject and the facts upheld by
materialists. They state that inasmuch as it is proven and upheld by science
that the life of phenomena depends upon composition and their destruction upon
disintegration, then where comes the need or necessity of a Creator - the
self-subsistent Lord? For we see with our own eyes that these infinite beings
go through myriads of compositions and in every composition appearing under a
certain form showing certain characteristic virtues, then we are independent of
any divine maker.
This is the argument of the materialists. On the other hand
those who are informed of divine philosophy answer in the following terms:
Composition is of three kinds: Accidental, Involuntary, and Voluntary. There is
no fourth kind of composition. Composition is restricted to these three
categories.
If we say that composition is accidental, this is
philosophically a false theory, because then we have to believe in an effect
without a cause, and philosophically no effect is conceivable without a cause.
We cannot think of an effect without some primal cause, and composition being
an effect, there must naturally be a cause behind it.
As to the second composition, that is the involuntary
composition: Involuntary composition means that each dement has within it as an
inherent function this power of composition. For example, certain elements have
flowed towards each other, and as an inherent necessity of their being they are
composed. That is, it is the inherent need of these elements to enter into
composition. For example, the inherit quality of fire is burning or heat. Heat
is an original property of fire. Humidity is the inherent nature of water. You
cannot conceive of H2O, which is the chemical form of water, without having
humidity connected, for that is its inherent quality, inseparable and
indivisible.
Now as long as it is the inherent necessity of these
elements to be composed, there should not be any decomposition. While we
observe that after each composite organism, there is a process of decomposition
we learn that the composition of the organisms of life is neither accidental
nor involuntary. Then what have we as a form of composition? It is the third,
that is the voluntary composition. And that means that the infinite forms of
organisms are composed through a superior will, the eternal will, the will of
the living and self-subsistent Lord.
This is a rational proof, that the Will of the Creator is
effected through the process of composition. Ponder over this carefully. When
you comprehend the significances of this subject you will then be able to
convey it to others. The more you think over this the greater will be your
comprehension.
Thank God that He has given you such a power through which
you can comprehend these divine mysteries. Reflect deeply, ponder carefully,
think minutely, and then the doors of knowledge shall be opened unto you.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Notes of a talk, 'Star of the West', vol. 6, no. 8, August 1, 1915)
