Consider whether symbol provides any clear understanding of God

Consider whether symbol provides any clear understanding of God

Symbols are ultimately incredibly effective in communicating a clear understanding of God which is not so clear and abstract. A symbol can communicate a very complex concept that cannot be put into words into a clear visual image; which can then be universally understood. One example would be the symbol of the Dove in Christianity. The Dove is often used as the symbol for the Holy Spirit (coming to rest on Jesus’ shoulder during his baptism), a very abstract principle which many people have no clear understanding of. It is also used as a symbol of God’s peace and the salvation Christian’s are to achieve with the Holy Spirit in their souls. This is difficult to put into words and therefore a symbol like a dove can communicate a much clearer understanding.       Although some would say that only those in the religious sect would understand certain symbols (I.e. the Catholic symbol of the lighted tabernacle communicating the sacred presence of God), use of symbol can be understood outside of the “form of Life” that Ludwig Wittgenstein proposes in Language games and can then be used in wider society.

Paul Tillich (1886-1965) believed that all religious language was symbolic and communicated the most significant beliefs and values of humans- “symbolic language alone is able to express the ultimate”. God, to Tillich, is “the ground of being”- the cause for everything and the meaning behind everything and therefore should be “man’s ultimate concern”. This being cannot be known in a personal way, making the understanding of it highly unclear. However, through symbols, such as Jesus’ work, the ground of being can be revealed. He said that symbols are something we can all participate in and participate in the event themselves. For example, we participate in the feeling of unity surrounding certain national flags. Although we do not have a clear understanding in words of God, common feelings associated with religious symbols are enough to comprehend a complex concept. Music, for example, can communicate with people on a different level to words. It is a form of expression which captures a mood and communicates feelings. Non symbolic language is hard pressed to connect with people on this level, and give a clear understanding of God who evokes certain emotions rather than clear comprehension. Paul Tillich argues that symbols can open up levels of reality which are usually closed to us and consequently open up dimensions of the soul; allowing a clearer understanding of God. Like signs, they point to these new dimensions and realities- “pointing beyond themselves to something else”.

Not only do symbols provide a clear understanding of God, they are incredibly useful in the community they are normally used within on a practical level. Randall states that symbols have 4 other uses in a religious community. They arouse emotions and make people act. For example, the cross as a symbol of sacrifice and love may arouse an emotion in someone who then goes on to resolve an issue in their personal life. Symbols then stimulates and inspires community action on a wider level. Amnesty International’s candle flame is a Christian symbol which has been modified to arouse feelings and actions on a practical level. Symbols allow people to express religious experiences non-literally which can often be ineffable and therefore hard for the skeptic to accept as the truth. Lastly, it clarifies and provides a clearer understanding of our experience of God. To Randall, God as an intellectual symbol is a “ripple of imagination”, a metaphor aptly describing the positive ripple-effects a religious symbol can have.

Although they do give a clear understanding of God, symbols have been criticised to be meaningless. We don’t know whether they are true or not, William Alston argues, and they cannot be verified or falsified because of their subjective nature, Paul Edward similarly argues- they simply “can’t convey facts”. This is beside the point. Symbols do not convey religious facts, their subjective nature is what gives them personal truth and understanding. Everyone interprets God differently. The Adam and Eve story’s story be interpretated to the level of symbolism the believer personally believes in.  Although their subjectivity can be a positive, the constant reinterpretation of symbols can become a problem. The Swastika is an ancient symbol employed by many cultures such as China, Germany and England from 3000 years ago. It was a widespread symbol with an overall but culturally variant symbol of positivity; either a good luck, power, sun and life symbol. The Nazis then used this symbol incredibly powerfully to symbolise Aryan ancestry and acted as justification for horrific holocausts and certainly stimulated action and emotion. This symbol’s meaning was certainly warped.

Symbols do provide a clearer understanding of God which doesn't need to be factual or concrete. A key part of religion is the emotions involved in belief and symbols communicate something which speaks to this rather than our logic. Symbols are the most effective in providing a realistic understanding of an abstract concept which communities can work with on a practical level and share experiences.