Dr. Jose Rizal: The Foremost Filipino Deist

The article discusses the lesser-known fact that Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, was a deist.
This fact is not widely known among Filipinos.
Many details in Rizal's novels and aspects of his life have been neglected or concealed.

Rizal had a firm belief in God but rejected revealed religion.
Revealed religion is defined as a religion that bases its teachings on supposed revelations from God contained in "holy books" and/or traditions.
Rizal's views on religion are found in his correspondence with Fr. Pablo Pastells, a Jesuit priest who was his spiritual director during his time at Ateneo.
The exchange occurred when Rizal was in exile in Dapitan and Fr. Pastells was the Superior of the Philippine Mission of the Society of Jesus.

In his third letter to Pastells, Rizal explained his belief in a creative Being through reasoning and necessity, rather than through faith.
He questioned the ability of humans to adequately name this Being, whose works overwhelm the imagination.
Rizal acknowledged the use of names like "Dios" derived from Latin and Greek but considered them inadequate.
He attributed beautiful and holy qualities to this Being but acknowledged the limitations of his understanding.
Rizal stated that everyone conjures up God in their own image and likeness, referencing Anacreon's idea that a bull would imagine God with horns and mooing.
He thought of God as infinitely wise, mighty, and good based on the wonders of His works, the order of the universe, the magnificence of creation, and the goodness that shines in all.

Rizal settled for studying God in his creatures and in the voice of his conscience.
He strived to read and find God's will in all that surrounds him and in the mysterious sentiment speaking from within, which he strove to purify.
Rizal's belief in a Deity was based on reasonable reflection of nature and conscience, not on faith or divine revelation.

Rizal expressed his disbelief in the teachings of ancient sacred books.
He noted the contradictions, conflicting interpretations, obscure points, and the idea that God would hide what is necessary for eternal life in obscure languages and metaphors.
Rizal questioned why a wise father would provide everything necessary for this life but hide what is necessary for eternal life.
He uses the metaphor of a father who heaps candies and toys on his children but gives food only to one of them.

Rizal clarified that he only denied special revelation that came through ancient books or traditions.
He believed in the living revelation of nature, which is powerful, eternal, incorruptible, clear, distinct, and universal.
He said this revelation speaks to us and penetrates our being from birth to death.
Rizal questioned whether any other books could reveal God's work, goodness, love, providence, eternity, glory, and wisdom more faithfully than nature.
He quoted Psalm 19:1: “The heavens tell the glory of the Lord, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.”
Rizal suggested that humanity should look for God's will in the wonders of nature instead of scrolls and temples.
He advocated for interpreting the facts of nature to shape our lives according to its inviolable laws and utilize its resources for our perfection, instead of interpreting obscure passages.

Rizal was neither Catholic nor Protestant or any other religion.
He concluded that God exists through reasoning and studying nature, not from contradictory revelations.
Rizal's religious philosophy was attuned to the aspirations of independence, academic, and religious freedom for the Philippines.

Bonoan, Raul J., S.J. 1994. The Rizal-Pastells Correspondence. Manila: Ateneo de Manila University Press. pages 121-216. (Source of information regarding the letters between Rizal and Pastells)