Theological veto

The theological veto^[1] is the concept in philosophy of religion that philosophy and logic are impious and that God, not reason, is sovereign. This concept is held as true by some theists especially religious fundamentalists. The idea is derived from a belief that mankind is depraved, and his intellect is a flawed product of this fallenness. In this view conversion, not reason, is the way to the truth; preaching, not argument is the way to persuade; and grace, not evidence is the way belief is confirmed. Also, in this view, natural reason is so profoundly hostile to the divine that holding it above faith is tantamount to worshiping a sinful creature as an idol.

An early use of the phrase is reported from a 1925 critique of opponents of evolution: "They meet the accumulating evidences of the descent of man with a theological veto. They set the limit to science by the quotation of a verse from the creation legend "Genesis.""^[2]

Even the use of reason on behalf of faith is rejected under the theological veto, as it shows faithlessness. It presupposes by practice that faith can be benefited by reason.

The theological veto is logically irrefutable, in the same way that there can be no game winner without entering into some kind of game.

Rejecting the theological veto

There are several reasons put forth by those who reject the theological veto.

• The theological veto is futile: One way to reject the theological veto is to assert that one cannot isolate reason from faith. Intelligible use of language is claimed to commit one to consistency, so to reject reason is to refuse to make sense. This argument asserts that even the theological veto itself must be consistent with itself and inconsistent with reason.^[1]
• The theological veto is self-defeating: Another way the theological veto is rejected is to assert that rejection of critical control over one's beliefs, as for instance by the requirement of evidence, lowers the barrier against bigotry, fanaticism, and persecution.^[1]
• The theological veto is immoral: While its high aspiration is to warn against human pride, some say its supporters are guilty of what they themselves claim is the highest form of pride: They claim that they know the mind of God.^[1]

References

1. Frederick Ferré, Basic Modern Philosophy of Religion
2. American Ethical Union, The Ethical Outlook, Volume 12, 1925, page 67.