Letter 5: Natural Religion
In the last four letters, I deconstructed religion for what it is. In this letter, I will lay out a new belief system–or rather an ancient one.
A concept so simple a child can comprehend it.
A structure so plain it requires no dogma or authority to support it.
A belief system so pure it requires only that we listen to the reason and conscience we were born with.
A religion that is natural to us all…
But Why?
In 1882 Nietzsche famously wrote: “God is dead. And we have killed him.”
It was not a denial of the existence of God. It was a warning — that the religions of the past would no longer work in the modern world. That the collapse of outdated belief systems would leave a void we were unprepared to fill.
And now, in the 21st century, we are watching that warning unfold in real time.
Science and historical research continue to dismantle cherished religious claims, the corruption within spiritual institutions is public knowledge, and the voices of social media have more influence than the pulpit. As traditional religious authority collapses, society unravels — and individuals are left drifting, untethered, and spiritually malnourished.
So what comes next?
Few have a satisfying answer.
Many are quietly asking:
“What do I believe now?”
“What’s worth holding onto?”
“How do I stay grounded in a world that no longer offers me truth?”
Natural Religion, for me, was the answer to those questions.
A universal answer that adapts in real time to our modern world.
What Is Natural Religion?
Natural religion is the belief in God and moral law drawn not from institutions or sacred texts, but from reason, conscience, and the observation of nature.
It contains the foundation of every religion, because it is the natural truth from which all religions derived.
But as quoted in the last letter "God makes all things good; man meddles with them, and they become evil.”
Natural religion came before men meddled and it will exist long after all other belief systems have collapsed.
Its Pillars Are Simple and Unshakable
The following quotes also come from Rousseau.
God can be known through Nature
“I believe, therefore, that the world is governed by a wise and powerful Will. I see it, or rather I feel it.”
“I see God everywhere in his works; I feel him within myself; I behold him all around me;”
“The works of nature never deceive; it is our judgment which deceives itself.”
Conscience is our highest moral guide
This means that everything we do, we will know the truth of it in our own hearts, and furthermore in the physical manifestation or results of that action.
“Conscience is the voice of the soul… it is man’s truest and safest guide.”
“I need only consult myself with regard to what I wish to do; what I feel to be right is right, what I feel to be wrong is wrong; conscience is the best casuist.”
“The morality of our actions consists entirely in the judgments we ourselves form with regard to them. If good is good, it must be good in the depth of our heart as well as in our actions.”
“Has he not given me conscience that I may love the right, reason that I may perceive it, and freedom that I may choose it?”
“When I do good, I feel good. That is my religion.” –Abraham Lincoln
Truth is inward, not institutional
“I could never believe that God would require such learning of me under pain of hell. So I closed all my books.”
“The divine law is written in indelible characters on my heart.”
“I consulted my innate instructor, who will deceive me less than I may be deceived by others.”
Virtue and truth are self-evident
Essentially, he describes that a spirit of peace is the direct result of good choices. The physical manifestations of any action or belief testify of their truth. Religious beliefs which cause a spirit of frustration are inherently false as truth always leads to peace.
“One of the first rewards of virtue is to be conscious of our putting it in practice.”
I would also take it a step further, and say that our physical healthy is the manifestation of the truth we are living.
Speculation is worse than ignorance
It is better to admit to not knowing something than it is to believe in speculation, or the testimony of others to fill that void.
“I give up all such idle disquisitions… they are useless in practice and above my understanding.”
I believe, therefore, that the world is governed by a wise and powerful will; I see it or rather I feel it, and it is a great thing to know this. But has this same world always existed, or has it been created? Is there one source of all things? Are there two or many? What is their nature? I know not; and what concern is it of mine? When these things become of importance to me I will try to learn them; till then I abjure these idle speculations, which may trouble my peace, but cannot affect my conduct nor be comprehended by my reason.
Paraphrasing several paragraphs he explains essentially: It is better to accept ignorance than to adopt false opinions or believe speculation.
We must look inward to know what is right
“Consult your own heart. That is all I require of you.”
One clarification in closing: Whatever God you worship, it is possible to practice natural religion without throwing away your beliefs entirely. If you are Christian, you can remain a Christian, while throwing out all of the dogma of Christianity. And so on and so forth. Or you can choose to believe in “no dogma” until it has been irrefutably revealed to you. The choice is yours.
Conclusion:
What I love about these principles is that they cannot be argued or denied, except with the use of dogma or speculation. They are closer to Christ’s teachings, than all of Christianity.
Live well. Seek enlightenment. Reject speculation. Obey your conscience.
What more could I possibly do in life to guarantee salvation in this life or in a lifetime to come?
In following letters, I will propose a new moral code as well as how I discussed these religious changes with my kids.
Sincerely With Love,
Heather N.
