The search for meaning in the phenomena of "Religion"

The author examines how religions are often misused, leading to chaos and conflicts caused by the idolisation of religious elements, superstitions, and selfish motives. He advocates recognising and respecting diverse cultures and faiths through dialogue and understanding, emphasising the subjective nature of religious interpretations. The author supports an open-minded attitude towards religious experiences, focusing on inner meaning and individual spiritual journeys. Religion is depicted as a means for freeing the body, mind, and spirit, with mystics seeking to transcend the self through union with God, which brings a sense of immortality and eternity. He encourages valuing various religious systems for fostering dialogue and peace among cultures, addressing existential anxieties, and satisfying human longings while exploring life's mysteries, death, and the interconnectedness of human experiences across time. He explores the diversity of religious beliefs and their influence on personal and societal values, highlighting existential themes and the dual nature of religion as both creative and destructive. The author further discusses self-awareness, humility, and the pursuit of the divine, recognising different religious experiences and faiths. He stresses self-transcendence and unity among people, promoting dialogue, understanding, and respect for different cultures and faiths. He also highlights the transformative power of religious experiences, aiming for collective well-being, justice, and interconnectedness as vital values for future generations.

Prof. Fr. Joseph Kahiga Kiruki is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Kitale, Kenya. He is a Professor of Philosophy in the Department of Philosophy, Religion, and Theology at the School of Arts and Social Sciences Moi University Eldoret, Kenya. He earned a PhD (1993) in Philosophy from the University of Vienna, Austria, where he also completed his master's in philosophy (1991). He undergraduate studies include education at Urbanian University in Rome. His current research interests include Critical Thinking, Epistemology, Metaphysics, African Knowledge Systems, Applied Ethics, Bioethics, Philosophy and Development, Gender, Culture, Education, and Conflict Management. He is currently a member of the Moi University African Cluster Centre within the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence and has participated in seminar programmes of various clusters. He has authored several university-level books, including: "Women's Liberation, A Paradigm Shift for Development," published by AMECEA Gaba Publications; CUEA Press (2010); "Introduction to Critical Thinking," Longhorn Publishers (2014); and "Is a Human Being a Person? Interrogating the Meaning of Human Existence," Moi University Press (Moi University Inaugural Lecture 23, Series 2, 2015). His latest work is The Search for Meaning in the Phenomena of "Religion," Utafiti Foundation, 2025. He has written numerous scholarly articles in refereed journals, chapters in books, various book reviews, and has delivered high-quality papers on critical and contemporary philosophical issues affecting society.