How can human beings recognize the existence of the Absolute Being?
Philosophers have ever pondered this question; some offering proofs while others are skeptical that any such knowledge can be had. Although such discussion is beyond the scope of this anthology, certain arguments are put forth in scripture.
God has left evidence of His existence and provided ways for people to know Him if they only look.
The first of these is evidence of God’s handiwork in the creation. Numerous scientists testify that the more they studied nature, the more certain they were of a Designer.
Inventor Thomas Edison remarked, “The universe is permeated by Intelligence. I tell you, no person can be brought into close contact with the mysteries of nature or make a study of chemistry without being convinced that behind all, there is a supreme Intelligence.”
The second path to God is the doorway of contemplation, that innermost self which senses God’s reality. The apprehension of God is mystical, not intellectual.
Blaise Pascal said, “It is the heart which perceives God, and not the reason.” Father Moon teaches that God is most essentially our Parent; hence, we should experience Him with the same immediacy that we know our parents.
The third type of evidence is supernatural. Few of us have access to this source, but we regard those who have such experiences as trustworthy guides. They are the founders of religion and people who have journeyed into the spiritual realms.
Traces of God in the Creation
For what can be known about God is plain to [all], because God has showed it to them. Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Romans 1.19-20
We shall show then Our signs on the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the Truth. Qur’an 41.53
And of His signs is that He created you from the dust; now behold, you are human beings, ranging widely. And of His signs is that He created for you, of yourselves, spouses that you might find repose in them, and He has planted love and kindness in your hearts. Surely there are signs in this for people who reflect. And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the variety of your tongues and hues, surely there are signs in this for people who have knowledge. And of His signs is your slumber by night and day, and your seeking of His bounty. Surely there are signs in this for people who hear. The lightning which He shows you for fear and hope is yet another of His signs; He sends down water from the sky, thereby reviving the earth after it is dead. Surely in this, there are signs for people who understand. And of His signs is that space and the earth stand firm by His command; then, when He calls you, suddenly, from the earth you shall emerge. Qur’an 30.20-25
For every form, he is the Model; it is his form that is to be seen everywhere; Indra moves multiform by his creative charm; the bay steeds yoked to his car are a thousand. Rig Veda 6.47.18 (Hinduism)
Too many people have a microscopic idea of the Creator. If they would only study his wonderful works as shown in nature herself and the natural laws of the universe, they would have a much broader idea of the great Engineer. Indeed, I can almost prove [God’s] existence by chemistry. One thing is certain: the universe is permeated by Intelligence. I tell you, no person can be brought into close contact with the mysteries of nature or make a study of chemistry without being convinced that behind all, there is a supreme Intelligence. Thomas Edison
So also did We show Abraham the power and the laws of the heavens and the earth, that he might have certitude. When the night covered him over, he saw a star; he said, “This is my Lord.” But when it set, he said, “I love not those that set.” When he saw the moon rising in splendor, he said, “This is my Lord,” but when the moon set, he said, “Unless my Lord guides me, I shall surely be among those who go astray.”
When he saw the sun rising in splendor, he said, “This is my Lord; this is the greatest of all,” but when the sun set, he said, “O my people! I am indeed free from your error of ascribing partners to God. For me, I have set my face firmly and truly towards Him who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I ascribe partners to God.” Qur’an 6.75-79
All things are made to bear record of Me, both things which are temporal and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above, and things which are on the earth, and things which are in the earth, and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of Me. Pearl of Great Price, Moses 6.63 (Latter-day Saints)
The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, neither is their voice heard; Yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. Psalm 19.1-4
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
How can we know the divine nature of the incorporeal God? One way to fathom His deity is by observing the universe which He created. Thus, St. Paul said: Ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature, namely, His eternal power and deity, has been perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Rom. 1.20)
Just as a work of art displays the invisible nature of its maker in a concrete form, everything in the created universe is a substantial manifestation of some quality of the Creator’s invisible, divine nature. As such, each stands in a relationship to God.
Just as we can come to know the character of an artist through his works, so we can understand the nature of God by observing the diverse things of creation. (Exposition of the Divine Principle, Creation 1.1)
The human body reflects the mystery of God. Analyze and dissect it using your intellect, and even after millions of years, you would not know all there is to know about your body.
Despite thousands of eye doctors, there are still innumerable mysteries about the eye. Do you think medical science knows all there is to know about the eye? No, their knowledge is still in its infancy. How, then, can these “infants” say there is no God? (95:123, November 6, 1977)
Look at the eye. Before it was formed, the eye must have been designed by someone who realized that it would be functioning in an atmosphere of dust and wind. It was designed in such a way as to adjust to such conditions. Do you think the eye knew ahead of time what conditions it would face?
If it did not, there must be Someone who knew and who created the eye with the means to protect it. There must be some Intelligence operating behind the scenes which had cosmic knowledge. It knew that the earth’s heat would cause moisture to evaporate from the surface of the eye, so it made tear ducts to lubricate it.
There is Reason within the design of nature. Look at the eyelids, designed to prevent the serious problem of dust entering the eye. Look at the eyebrows; they were designed to block sweat from running down into the eye.
Did the eyebrows appear knowing that they would have this function?
Or did the eyes put on eyebrows because they knew this of themselves? No. There is an Intelligence that knew in advance the environment in which the eye would be functioning and designed the eye precisely for it. (117:78, February 1, 1982)
One way to prove the existence of God is by observing the abundant evidence that God is trying to promote world citizenship and the concept of the world as one nation.
Can you find a certain universal ingredient in religion that encourages loyalty beyond the level of nation or race? That evidence alone is sufficient for us to recognize the existence of God, who, through the course of history, has been promoting unity. (95:63, October 23, 1977)
Evidence for God within the Self
Eye cannot see him, nor words reveal him; by the senses, austerity, or works he is not known. When the mind is cleansed by the grace of wisdom, he is seen by contemplation—the One without parts. Mundaka Upanishad 3.1.8 (Hinduism)
The thing that is called Tao is eluding and vague. Vague and eluding, there is in it the form. Eluding and vague, in it are things. Deep and obscure, in it is the essence. The essence is very real; in it is evidence. From the time of old until now, its manifestations ever remain, by which we may see the beginnings of all things.How do I know that the beginnings of all things are so? Through this. Tao Te Ching 21 (Taoism)
As the Holy One I recognized Thee, O Wise Lord, When He came to me as Good Mind; The Silent Thought taught me the greatest good so that I might proclaim it. Avesta, Yasna 45.15 (Zoroastrianism)
Who knows truly, and who will now declare, what paths lead together to the gods? Only their lowest aspects of existence are seen, who exist on the supreme, mystical planes. Rig Veda 3.54.5 (Hinduism)
Confucius said, “The power of spiritual forces in the universe—how active it is everywhere! Invisible to the eyes and impalpable to the senses, it is inherent in all things, and nothing can escape its operation.” It is a fact that there are these forces which make men in all countries fast and purify themselves, and with solemnity of dress institute services of sacrifice and religious worship. Like the rush of mighty waters, the presence of unseen Powers is felt; sometimes above us, sometimes around us. In The Book of Songs, it is said, The presence of the Spirit: It cannot be surmised, How may it be ignored! Such is the evidence of things invisible that it is impossible to doubt the spiritual nature of man. Doctrine of the Mean 16 (Confucianism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
Before I came into being, God existed. Before I was able to think about God, God existed. God rules over my whole being, including my senses. This is the most important key to understanding. It is a principle that experience precedes understanding.
We do not know what cold is until we feel cold. First, we feel the cold weather, and consequently, we form a notion of cold. Likewise, to know that God exists, you should feel His presence in your very cells. To what degree do you experience God? To what degree does your actual experience confirm God’s existence? That is the question. (58:291-92, June 25, 1972)
God is alive; so is the Devil. How do you know that God exists, or that the Devil exists? Communism and philosophy in general raise this question. It is the philosophical argument of idealism versus realism. In the latter perspective, anything invisible is not real, but merely an abstract idea.
Even the conscience is thought of as a mere concept. It is the same with love. Love is also an abstract idea from that point of view, yet in truth, love is not an idea. Love connects with everything in our actual lives. (186:67, January 29, 1989)
Do you have love? Do you have life? Do you have lineage and conscience? Then, have you ever seen love? Can you see life, lineage, or conscience? You know these exist, but you must acknowledge that you cannot see or touch them.
You know them because you sense them with your mind. A similar logic applies to the question of whether God exists or whether a person can see God. Anyone can recognize God and confirm that He exists. Once God comes into your heart, your heart knows Him. (May 1, 2004)
Just as you understand the true meaning of filial piety only after having your own children, you can sense the value of your faith and experience the concrete existence of God only after you have put your faith into practice.
(29:198, February 28, 1970)
Had humans not fallen, no one would question whether God exists. Each of us would know the answer through our original minds. Had humans been born from good parents whose original nature was fully developed, they would know God’s existence naturally from birth.
Doesn’t a baby emerge from the womb knowing how to suck its mother’s breasts? When the newborn is presented with the breast it begins sucking instinctively.
Likewise, had the Human Fall not occurred, we would instinctively know God. Firmly relating with God, we would know how to solve any problem and understand the right path to follow.
However, because of the Fall, that original relationship was forgotten. Humankind created a world in which people doubt the existence of God. This is, indeed, a miserable situation. (20:306-07, July 14, 1968)
Just as an electron revolves around a proton, human beings are made to revolve around God. God can pursue the providence for restoration because the human mind, as an electron, naturally relates to God’s mind as its nucleus, its proton.
Hence, when we search for the truth, even all by ourselves, we begin to feel the vibration of God’s life and the harmony of God’s love. (2:137, March 17, 1957)
What is the world we long for in our hearts? It is not the world that we perceive through the outward five senses. Nor is it a world created by concepts. We long for the world of heart, filled with God’s love. In that world, we can feel the love of God in even the smallest subatomic particle.
You must experience this world. Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear will hear.” You cannot experience this multidimensional, transcendent world with your everyday feelings. (7:255, September 20, 1959)
God’s true homeland is the spirit world… If you want to truly know God, first know the spirit world where God lives and works. (365:302, January 14, 2002)
Evidence of God in History
No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known. John 1.18
And you shall know that I am the Lord, when their slain lie among their idols round about their altars, upon every high hill, on all the mountain tops, under every green tree, and under every leafy oak, wherever they offered pleasing odor to all their idols. And I will stretch out my hand against them, and make the land desolate and waste, throughout all their habitations, from the wilderness to Riblah. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 6.13-14
All thy works shall give thanks to thee, O Lord, and all thy saints shall bless thee! They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and tell of thy power, to make known to the sons of men thy mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of thy kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endures throughout all generations. The Lord is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds. The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to thee, and thou givest them their food in due season. Thou openest thy hand, thou satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The Lord is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings. Psalm 145.10-17
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
The Absolute Being is not conceptual, but rather a real existence that has been revealing Himself throughout human history. The saints, sages, and religious leaders who appeared at various times and places have, without exception, appealed to the human conscience and heart, urging the people to practice love of neighbor.
When the people responded and followed their teachings, they and their nations enjoyed peace and prosperity, but when they refused, they fell into confusion and decline.
Even in today’s confusion and chaos, humankind is waiting, consciously or unconsciously, for the appearance of modern saints and sages who will reveal the path of love.
All this shows that the Absolute Being is a real existence who operates behind the scenes of history. He is the Subject of love, who has worked through saints, sages and religious leaders of every age.
He works to fulfill His plan: to establish a world of moral values, a world where love is the norm. (69:238, November 21, 1973)