by Br Nathaniel Kharthangmaw 

On January 11, 2025, Divyadaan hosted a thought-provoking philosophical symposium organized by the second-year students, centered on the theme, “The Eclipse of God: A Philosophical Response.” The event commenced at 2:00 PM with an opening prayer, followed by an introduction from Br Stefan Paul, the Moderator. The symposium featured four insightful presentations by esteemed speakers: Br Alroid Pinto OFM Cap, Br Jashbir Sanga SDB, Br Seymour Afonso SDB, and Br Jeremias Cardozo OFM Cap. Each speaker offered a unique perspective on the theme, with a particular focus on atheism.

The first presentation, delivered by Br. Alroid Pinto OFM Cap, traced the historical evolution of the “eclipse of God.” He discussed how, in the ancient era, the existence of God was unquestioned, and how, over time, the intellectual climate shifted, especially in the 21st century, where atheism has gained prominence, particularly in academic and intellectual circles. In the second presentation, Br Jashbir Sanga SDB provided an in-depth analysis of the traditional arguments for God's existence - the teleological, cosmological, and ontological proofs - while also addressing the criticisms these arguments face. He also tackled the problem of evil, a central challenge to belief in God, exploring its implications for theistic philosophy.

Br Seymour Afonso SDB, in his third paper, examined the far-reaching impact of atheism on three key areas of human life: society, politics, and religion. He explored how the rise of atheistic thought has reshaped cultural and political discourse, as well as its influence on contemporary religious practice. The final presentation, by Br Jeremias Cardozo OFM Cap, offered a philosophical response to the theme of “The Eclipse of God.” His talk focused on how the Church engages with the challenge of atheism, addressing the theological and philosophical responses offered by Catholic thought.

Following the presentations, the symposium opened up to an engaging floor discussion, where the audience posed thoughtful questions and the speakers provided insightful answers. The event concluded at 4:00 PM with a vote of thanks by Br Hanley Gomes SDB.