Abstract

The preservation of historical archives is inherently linked to human memory, raising profound philosophical and theological questions about authenticity, truth, and the transmission of sacred and historical knowledge. While vivid oral narratives and reference data contribute to a more comprehensive collective memory, the reliability of historical records remains shaped by subjective cognition and sociocultural influences. This study examines the philosophical and religious dimensions of historical authenticity by analyzing the interplay between human memory, archival preservation, and epistemological trust. A human memory coding scale is developed, incorporating subjective intentionality and objective influences, alongside a multi-level framework for assessing historical authenticity from macro, meso, and micro perspectives. Using historical collections from museums in Province D as a case study, Pearson’s correlation coefficient is applied to explore the relationship between human memory and historical truth, while regression models assess the impact of memory distortion on archival integrity. Findings indicate that the correlation between human memory and the authenticity of historical records is significantly negative at the 1%–10% level, with deliberate forgetting (O2) exerting the greatest influence. The study argues that the transmission of historical and religious knowledge is not merely a technical challenge but also a metaphysical and ethical concern, as collective memory shape’s cultural identity, spiritual heritage, and theological interpretation. To mitigate distortions, the research advocates for the integration of digital preservation technologies, enhanced historical evaluation mechanisms, and a theological-philosophical discourse on truth, memory, and divine testimony. Future studies should further investigate how religious traditions, faith-based historiography, and sacred narratives influence perceptions of historical authenticity and the construction of collective memory.