The idea of the Transcendence that lies at the heart of religion and spirituality is justified either by an infra-rational belief or a supra-rational intuition. Between the two stretches the realm of reason. Belief accepts unquestionably; reason doubts, questions and denies that which it cannot logically justify. In the upward evolution of mankind reason is at first a help; for it shows the inanity of the conventional dogmas, traditions, cults and the authority of the letter of some ancient book, śāstra, priests, theologians and theocrats. Reason refuses to accept these without enquiry, test and proof. When the rational man is confronted by the supposed divine authority he finds no arguments that would justify the claim. He declares the truth as reason sees it and discards religious belief as superstition that should be rooted out if mankind wants to discover the truth of itself and the world.

The revolt of reason leads inevitably to atheism. This revolt is not new. In ancient India the rational investigation of the transcendence, ideas like that of Karma, reincarnation, after-life, heaven and hell, of the immortality of the soul and of religious cults, sacrifices, food-offerings to the departed souls were tested by reason. These rationalistic thinkers, cārvāka, came to the conclusion that there was no rational foundation for these beliefs and deeds. They were vehement and abusive in their denunciation of the Vedic ritualism. …   more »