RE: Christian in need of help (feeling uneasy about God quote)!!
May 23, 2017 at 9:54 am
(This post was last modified: May 23, 2017 at 10:00 am by Thumpalumpacus.)
(May 23, 2017 at 9:29 am)SteveII Wrote: 1. This specific natural theology argument is one of many many reasons to believe God exists. It is part of a cumulative case for God. Other reasons include my list I've posted elsewhere:
Reasons that I believe God exists and Christianity best fits the facts:
1. Person of Jesus is compelling.
2. The NT describes actual events including the miracles, life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
3. God works in people's lives today--changing people on the inside as well as the occurrence of miracles.
4. The natural theology arguments:
a. God is the best explanation why anything at all exists.
Which it isn't.
Quote:b. God is the best explanation of the origin of the universe.
This should be in with your point a), but was probably separated in order to convey a more impressive appearance -- make-weight for your list. At any rate, it is not the best explanation for the origin of anything, except things like the 30 Years' War or the Irish Troubles.
Quote:c. God is the best explanation of the fine-tuning of the universe for intelligent life.
99.99999 ..... % of the Universe is so hostile to human life that we'd vaporize instantly were we exposed to it. Even our own planet will kill us; we had to invent clothing because your little god couldn't even see fit to grant us hides of fur like he did other mammals.
Quote:d. God is the best explanation of intentional states of consciousness.
Which it isn't. For those states, I'd recommend you read some Nick Humphries. He explains a lot more than your mythology ever could.
Quote:e. God is the best explanation of objective moral values and duties.
You mean the god who killed all but seven humans in a flood because of their sinful nature -- the nature that he himself gave them at creation? That the god you're talking about?
Welcome to moral subjectivity, Steve. Pull up a chair and grab a cuppa joe. You're gonna be here a while.
Quote:2. While I think 'explanation' is a more robust word, I don't think it matters. Insert 'cause' if you like.
That may explain your equivocation, but it doesn't justify it. And FYI, the refutation of this argument is so old that fiddling with this or that word is the equivalent of painting the Titanic. You still haven't resolved the special pleading, which means that you're in the same ship.
Quote:3. See 1. I have lots of evidence and reasons to believe.
No, you may have "reasons to believe", but you have no evidence of any gods, including your own. If you had evidence, you would already have presented it, with supporting citations and links.
