(September 28, 2011 at 1:50 am)mastertrell Wrote: See everything that has a beginning has a cause
This is where this argument completely falls apart.
There is an equivocation fallacy right at the beaning that invalidates the entire argument.
When 'Begins to exist' is first used in the argument, it is just a rearrangement of existing matter. A tree 'begins to exist' by rearranging the existing matter in the soil.
But then a different meaning for 'begins to exist' is used to describe the universe, it is creation Ex nihilo. A god creating the universe out of nothing.
'Begins to exist', 2 different meanings. Equivocation fail.
You'd believe if you just opened your heart" is a terrible argument for religion. It's basically saying, "If you bias yourself enough, you can convince yourself that this is true." If religion were true, people wouldn't need faith to believe it -- it would be supported by good evidence.