Kant's Religious Argument for the Existence of God: The Ultimate Dependence of Human Destiny on Divine Assistance

After reviewing Kant's well-known criticisms of the traditional proofs of God's existence and his preferred moral argument, this paper presents a detailed analysis of a densely-packed theistic argument in Religion within the Bounds of Bare Reason. Humanity's ultimate moral destiny can be fulfi lled only through organized religion, for only by participating in a religious community (or "church") can we overcome the evil in human nature. Yet we cannot conceive how such a community can even be founded without presupposing God's existence. Viewing God as the internal moral lawgiver, empowering a community of believers, is Kant's ultimate rationale for theistic belief.