If I were an Atheist

[Mister Agenda]

As I've written before, the notion there is no evidence, not one single fact that is simpatico or comports with the belief we owe our existence to a Creator is so imbedded into the thinking of atheists, so fundamental and core to atheist thought that most atheists will refuse to acknowledge there is evidence (which are simply facts in favor of a belief) that no argument will stop atheists from saying it. But I love a challenge.

That this thinking is embedded in the minds of atheists seems to be a notion so thoroughly embedded in yours that no matter how many times we patiently and in detail explain that you've gotten our thinking wrong, some pages down the thread, you'll just repeat basically the same claim about us. It's NOT that not one single fact is sympatico or comports with belief in a Creator. It's that a fact being sympatico or in comportment with a belief does not make it evidence for a belief. Presents being found under Christmas trees is sympatico and in comportment with a belief that Santa leaves presents under trees. It is, however, not evidence that Santa leaves presents under trees because it is equally sympatico and in comportment with the belief that parents leave presents under trees. Your repeated inability to comprehend the necessity that evidence lead to one conclusion and not equally another leaves you where you were on page one and everyone else wondering what it would take for you to be able to understand this relatively simple fact.

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As a hypothetical imagine there is no universe, no stars, no planets and no life, yet somehow we're able to have this conversation and I said I think a Creator caused the universe to exist you'd say what universe? The position there is no God or creator of the universe or life would be a slam dunk...there is no universe and there is no life. In other words the popular claim of atheists there is no evidence of a Creator would be true.

No Creator doesn't mean no God. It means no God that  has created a universe, possibly with the caveat, yet. If it's true that such nothingness is impossible, the only explanation might be some unknown force preventing a universe from existing. The position that there is no God is not a slam dunk at all in the scenario you envision.

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Now suppose a universe does exist but its utterly chaotic, there is no predictable or uniform behavior and scientific research is impossible but I said I believe an intelligent designer caused this chaotic universe to exist. I could point to the existence of the universe as evidence it was caused by a personal agent as opposed to impersonal forces and if no one knows how the universe came to be a Creator couldn't be ruled out. But you could point to the fact the universe was utterly chaotic with no apparent rhyme or reason to it as evidence it was the result of mechanistic forces. You would argue that is exactly what we expect if mindless forces was the source of the universe.

Since true chaos necessarily results in pockets in order, a universe that has no such pockets of order must have 'uniform chaos' imposed on it by an unknown force. Perhaps a God that wants it to be chaotic. The universe you describe isn't behaving as though only mechanistic forces are at work. A pure chaos universe supports at least some sort of anti-order force at work.

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Now suppose we observe a universe that has discernible laws of physics that appear to govern how matter interacts and as a result the matter in the universe coalesces into stars that form into galaxies, that form into solar systems that cause planets to exist. Because of the laws of physics scientific research and inquiry, mathematical formulas, predictions and logical deduction are now doable. Furthermore through observation and study we also notice that not just any set of laws or characteristics will produce planets and stars. In fact we notice that even the strength of gravity falls in a narrow range that allows stars and galaxies to form. Then we notice that gravity alone won't hold galaxies together they just fly apart. We realize there is a huge amount of matter we can't detect but in order for galaxies to form it must be there as well. Again I say this universe was created by an intelligent being and I point to all the characteristics and laws of physics that cause the observed universe. However in this imaginary universe there is no life whatsoever. Not a spec not a molecule. You could still argue and say why would an intelligent being cause a sterile universe to exist? You'd say fine there are exacting characteristics that cause stars and planets to exist but so what? What would be the point of creating such a universe? You'd still have a good argument against the existence of a Creator but at this point you could no longer honestly say there is no evidence of a Creator (although you would still say that). The reason you'd still say that is because whether true or not its a great reason to decline a belief in something. Why should anyone believe in something minus any facts or data its true?

Again, you've introduced a universe with a mystery that points to something mysterious acting on it. A universe that much like ours would certainly have life in it somewhere unless something was actively preventing it from beginning or it has an 'anti-life' characteristic which you've failed to note which would make it reasonable to expect no life in it. Now, a God that finds stars pretty but life greasy would be sympatico with and in comportment with these hypothetical facts.

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Now suppose we observe the same universe but on one planet we find not only life...but sentient life! We find beings capable of art, music and conducting science. There's a reason Downbeat so many people do believe in God but don't believe in Santa Claus or fairies.

Yes, it's that belief in God has mostly replaced belief in faeries, and that largely occurred when the God believers held great political power.

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Its because they have a choice to subscribe to the belief that mindless, lifeless forces without plan or intent caused the universe to exist, caused the laws of physics and the characteristics of matter and subsequently unintentionally caused life and mind exist or they can subscribe to the belief that a fix was in, that all these conditions and laws of physics are the result of design and plan.

There's very strong and persuasive evidence that the reason is that most believers in a Creator indoctrinate their children to believe the same things they do. It's not only demonstrable, the counter examples of people raised to believe differently are legion.