Why do you actually believe in God?

[Neo-Scholastic]

Yeah, I've heard that argument from authority many times, yet the people who say that have a hard time restating those objections without presenting straw men or relying on odd translations.

I'm happy to go though each one and debunk it, but if I did, would you actually be prepared to acknowledge when an argument is refuted? I'd be happy to if you're up for an intellectually honest exchange.

I have already done one formal debate on AF. Then I had more personal time for formal debates. I no longer have that luxury. You are more than welcome to view my presentation of the 5W here: http://atheistforums.org/thread-34889-po...pid1007461 and my defense against the typical straw man arguments here: http://atheistforums.org/thread-34889-po...pid1009911

Since then I have seen many similar unserious objections – usually having something to do with “special pleading” which, not surprisingly, robvalue seems to find compelling. I addressed that charge in my reply “Against Objections to the First Way”.

I acknowledge that significant challenges to Aquinas have been proposed by important thinkers. For example, Kant’s objection to Anslem could be extended to 1W but no one here brings it up so I’ve never had to deal with it directly. Hume’s theory of causality could be used in an objection to 5W and I do have a response, but again, only a few people made hints in that direction so I’ve never had to confront that head-on either. So while I respect your eagerness to debate the 5W, I don’t know you very well and don’t want to have another “Metis” experience.