Dear List,

As there is already a debate about philosophy of religion, I might as well
supply this discussion with another question:
Since Hegel agreed with most principles of Christianity and tries to support
Christian religion by philosophical arguments whenever he can, it puzzles me
that he, as far as I know, never gives an explicit argument for the
immortality of the soul, which is a central part of Christian doctrine.
A reason for that might be that the concept of the immortality of the soul,
as it is understood by Christians (i.e. the infinite persistence of
individual souls in a world beyond this one) seems to be a classical case of
the deficient kind of infinity which Hegel criticizes in the section on
finitude and infinity in the LOGIC. According to this interpretation, he
didn't subscribe to this part of Christian doctrine.
But, on the other hand, he gives, again as far as I know, no argument
against the immortality of the soul either. Following my interpretation,
this might be a result of him disagreeing with that part of Christian
doctrine but not wanting to come into conflict with the authorities of his
time. I mean, he knew what happened to Fichte. This is of course just some
hypothesis I have come up with because I could not think of a better
explanation.
So does anyone know about a passage where he comments on that problem? And
if there really isn't such a passage, could someone comment on the
interpretation offered above?

Best regards,
Birte Schelling