Quick Answer
There are a few groups and belief systems that incorporate math, numbers, and geometric symbols into their religious practices, but there is no established religion devoted solely to worshipping math itself. Some examples of religions or sects that venerate aspects of math and numerology include Pythagoreanism, Mathematical Platonism, the Sri Yantra sects of Hinduism, and numerological practices in Kabbalah. However, these groups see math and numbers as part of a broader spiritual framework rather than as the central focus of worship.
Overview of Religions and Math
Throughout history, mathematical principles and symbols have held spiritual significance for many cultures and religious groups. Here is a brief overview of some of the major connections between math and religion:
Pythagoreanism
Pythagoreanism originated in ancient Greece in the 6th century BCE. Pythagoreans believed numbers were imbued with mystical qualities. They particularly venerated the mathematical harmony and geometric perfection associated with integers, as exemplified in Pythagoras’ theorem. Pythagoreans also believed the human soul could be purified through the study of math and numbers.
Mathematical Platonism
Inspired by the teachings of Plato, mathematical Platonism holds that mathematical concepts, including numbers, geometric forms, and equations, exist independently in an immaterial realm of forms and ideas. Some mathematical Platonists view this abstract realm of math as being close to divinity or a reflection of divine patterns in the universe.
Sri Yantra
The Sri Yantra is a Hindu mystical diagram made up of interlocking triangles and a surrounding lotus petal pattern. It is thought to represent the goddess Tripura Sundari and is used as a focus for meditation in Sri Vidya sects of Hindu tantra. The geometrical structure and proportions of the diagram are believed to hold spiritual power.
Kabbalah
Jewish Kabbalists apply numerological techniques to discern hidden meanings in religious texts. They believe numbers can reveal esoteric truths and the nature of the divine. The traditions of gematria (assigning numbers to letters) and temurah (anagrams and letter substitutions) are central to Kabbalistic practice.
Other Examples
Other spiritual traditions that incorporate numeric symbolism and geomancy include Ancient Greek sacred geometry, the Enneagram symbol in Sufism, Buddhist mandalas, and the divination systems of Ifá/Afa in Africa and the I Ching in China.
Is There a Religion Devoted Solely to Math?
While math plays a significant role in many religious and spiritual traditions, there are no known established religions that focus exclusively on worshipping math or numbers in their own right. Some reasons for this may include:
Math Lacks Narratives and Tradition
Established religions are built upon stories, texts, rituals, and moral codes that followers can connect with. Math on its own does not provide the kind of narrative framework and tradition that typically characterizes a religion.
Abstract Nature
The highly abstract nature of math makes it challenging to form practices, rituals, and connections that are accessible and meaningful to a broader following. It is difficult for people to build spiritual relationships with abstract equations and numbers.
Limited Emotional Appeal
While math can evoke wonder, consistency, and philosophical intrigue, it does not intrinsically provide the emotional appeal, consolation, inspiration, and sense of community people often seek in a religion.
Lack of Defined Leadership & Structure
Religions emerge around key leaders, texts, and organizational structures. Pure mathematics in isolation does not provide these social elements that are critical to sustaining widespread, long-term religious movements.
Associations with Sciences
The deep historical connections between math and the sciences make math seem less suited as an object of religious devotion. Religions and sciences are often positioned as incompatible worldviews.
Cultural Examples of Math Worship
While there are no definitive religions centered on math worship, there are some cultural examples of people groups displaying extreme reverence for math and numerical patterns:
The Nacirema (Dorcey, 1995)
Anthropologist Dorcey documented a North American tribe, the Nacirema, who view numbers as magical. Their medicine men perform rituals to different numbers and their children are indoctrinated into the power of numeric sequences from a young age. However, numbers are part of a broader set of magical beliefs rather than the sole focus of veneration.
The Numeri (Paulos, 1986)
Mathematician Paulos described a hypothetical island culture called the Numeri who center their society around numbers. They attribute personalities and mystical meanings to numbers, worship a deity called Figura, and build their settlements based on numeric patterns and shapes. However, this was an imagined example rather than reality.
The World Mathematical Cult (Hofstadter, 1979)
In his seminal book Gödel, Escher, Bach, Hofstadter envisioned a fictional World Mathematical Cult devoted to worshipping numbers through rituals like the Division Rite and the Multiplication Litany. However, this cult did not actually exist and was a thought experiment to illustrate principles of mathematical logic.
Cults of Math and Logic
There have been a handful of cult-like groups throughout history that exhibited extreme reverence for concepts related to math, logic, and reason rather than supernatural, spiritual forces:
Logicians of Ancient Greece
In the 5th century BCE, there were groups of ancient Greek philosophers known as Logicians who revered logic and rational thought above all else. They used mathematical logic and syllogisms as their central tools to understand existence.
Positivists of the 19th Century
The Positivist movement emerged in the 1800s advocating for a scientific perspective based on logic and empiricism. While more a philosophical perspective than a religion, Positivism displayed cult-like qualities in its zealous promotion of rationalism.
Technocults
Certain technocults display obsessive fixation on technology, quantification, and “scientism” over spirituality, akin to worship. For instance, some branches of the quantified self movement exhibit cultish reverence for self-analytics and data.
However, these groups focus on reason, logic, and empiricism rather than the worship of mathematics itself. They lack the trappings and social infrastructure to constitute fully developed religions.
Is Math Too Abstract for Religious Devotion?
There are a few key reasons why math in isolation may be too abstract for most people to center their spiritual existence around:
Lack of Anthropomorphism
Religions typically anthropomorphize their deities, giving human-like attributes that facilitate a personal connection. It is difficult for people to relate to and worship abstract equations and numbers without deeper human resonance.
No Defined Moral Code
Systems of ethics and morality form a core foundation of religions. Math does not explicitly provide guidance for right and wrong human behavior in the way religious figures like Christ or Buddha exemplify and preach.
No Higher Purpose
Most religions provide a sense of grand purpose – reasons for living, sacrifice, and sources of meaning. Math does not inherently give life an overarching function or telos beyond practical applications.
Feeling of Universal Coldness
The dispassionate abstractions of math can feel clinical and devoid of the warmth, hope, and inspiration people seek through spiritual engagement. Unadorned equations lack relatable narrative and emotion.
Conclusion
In summary, while math intersects with religion in intriguing ways across many cultures, there are no established faiths devoted solely to math worship. The cold abstractions of math do not easily conform to the emotional resonance, traditions, and deeper purpose people seek in religion. Math complements but does not replace more robust philosophical and spiritual frameworks. However, math will likely continue sparking insight into mystical realms, even if not serving as the sole focus of worship. The universal language of numbers connects us all.