Post 36 – Religion and the Necessity of Alienation: Toward a Unified Understanding of Reality

Introduction

The empirical self, separated from its transcendental whole by the limitations of time, perceives itself as fragmented and alienated from its own totality. In this alienated state, it naturally seeks meaning and connection beyond itself, often turning to religious or mythical frameworks. These frameworks attempt to bridge the perceived gap between the empirical and transcendental self, conceptualizing the eternal as something external—a divine entity or guiding force.

However, if our being is ultimately undivided and eternal, and religious systems merely intuit this unity from different perspectives, can they converge into a unified understanding based on the Structure of Being? Is it possible for them to unfold into a more complete recognition of the eternal, or are they destined to remain partial and alienated, grasping at truth through the veil of time?

The Empirical Self and Its Alienation

Within the Structure of Being, the empirical self, bound by time, perceives itself as fragmented. Time, as the appearing of eternity, unfolds as a sequence of moments, creating the impression of separation from the whole. From this temporal perspective, the self appears distinct, unaware of its inherent unity with Being. This sense of alienation compels the construction of religious and mythical frameworks—expressions of the self’s attempt to reconnect with its transcendental reality.

Yet, arising from the constraints of time and individuation, these frameworks remain partial. While they offer meaningful interpretations, they can only reflect eternity in a limited way.

The Role of Religion in Addressing Alienation

Religious systems arise to explain and alleviate the alienation felt by the empirical self. By externalizing the eternal—whether as God, divine principles, or metaphysical structures—they provide a sense of orientation within the realm of time. These frameworks offer meaning, purpose, and a path toward reunion with the absolute, but they do so in a way that remains conditioned by the limitations of time-bound understanding.

While religious representations serve as necessary mediators between the empirical and transcendental self, they ultimately remain partial. They address the human experience at a level accessible to the alienated self, yet they do not fully resolve the fundamental fragmentation that gave rise to them. Despite their limitations, they provide a structure through which individuals can navigate their experience of separation and move toward a deeper recognition of their eternal nature.

Can Religions Converge into a Unified Understanding of the Eternal?

Since all religions point to the eternal, could they eventually converge into a unified understanding of it, grounded in the Structure of Being? If the Structure of Being provides a framework that resolves the apparent contradictions of temporal experience, then a deeper reconciliation among religious traditions may be conceivable. Their fundamental intuitions—conceived through diverse cultural and historical lenses—may point toward a singular truth that transcends them.

Yet, this convergence faces significant challenges. The Structure of Being, in its depth and abstraction, is not immediately accessible to the masses. Religious systems provide a more immediate and personal means of engaging with the eternal, adapting to the limitations of the empirical self, its culture, and its environment. As long as individuation remains a condition of experience, religions will continue to fulfill their role as necessary intermediaries, guiding individuals toward an understanding of the eternal in ways they can comprehend.

The Necessity of Religious Frameworks for the Empirical Self

This necessity ensures that religion is not rendered obsolete by the Structure of Being. Instead, religious systems remain essential in helping individuals navigate the alienation inherent in time. For most, the direct contemplation of Being remains obscured by the veils of separation; religious structures offer a way to engage with the eternal, even if only in a partial form.

Rather than being dismissed as distractions or incomplete, religious systems should be understood as necessary expressions of the empirical self’s journey. While they do not provide the full comprehension of Being, they serve as meaningful pathways—offering guidance, structure, and connection between the apparent fragmentation of time and the unity of eternity. By orienting individuals within the vast complexity of existence, they alleviate the anxiety of separation without demanding an immediate intellectual grasp of the eternal.

The Gradual Unfolding of Religious Understanding

Though religions emerge from an alienated perspective, they are not necessarily static. Over time, as individuals awaken to a deeper understanding, religious frameworks may unfold to align more closely with the eternal truth. This does not mean their replacement by a purely intellectual model but rather their refinement—an unfolding where mythical and religious symbols come into greater resonance with the Structure of Being.

In this way, religious traditions need not be discarded in favor of abstract philosophy. Instead, they can serve as unfolding instruments of understanding, gradually refining their expression while continuing to fulfill their necessary role in addressing the empirical self’s experience of separation. The path toward the realization of Being need not be a rejection of religious frameworks but rather their deeper integration with the recognition of necessity.

Conclusion

The experience of alienation and fragmentation is an inevitable aspect of the empirical self’s journey through time. Religions, emerging from this alienation, serve as necessary means of addressing the self’s longing for meaning and connection. Though these frameworks are imperfect, they remain essential for guiding individuals toward an understanding of the eternal at a level they can engage with.

The Structure of Being offers the possibility of reconciling the diverse intuitions of religious traditions, providing a foundation upon which their contradictions may be resolved. However, this does not negate the role of religion—it suggests its gradual unfolding. Rather than standing in opposition to religious frameworks, the deeper recognition of Being may allow them to unfold, integrating their symbolic representations into a more complete expression of truth.

Ultimately, the path toward the recognition of the eternal is not about the rejection of myth, religion, or philosophy, but their necessary unfolding within time. The realization of truth is not a single moment of revelation but a gradual awakening, in which religious frameworks can continue to serve as guides—shaped, refined, and aligned ever more closely with the eternal reality they seek to express.