RE: Evidence for the existence of God
January 12, 2017 at 4:18 pm
(This post was last modified: January 12, 2017 at 4:41 pm by Yadayadayada.)
(January 12, 2017 at 3:49 pm)Asmodee Wrote: My answer is simple. Demonstrate to me that magic is real and we'll have something to talk about then. You say you believe in the "Biblical God". That doesn't really tell me much, but I assume it to mean that you believe how the Bible describes him. I have found that the New Testament is generally more universally accepted than the Old Testament, so we'll limit it to just the NT. And it doesn't get any more "Christian" that the words of Jesus the Christ (Christ was a title, not a last name), so we'll limited it just to the things he spoke directly. This is taken from Mark 16
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
So, "those who believe" not only can, but WILL heal the sick. Jesus says these signs WILL accompany those who believe. Not that they might. Not "Well, through the power of prayer....God's will....faith of a grain of mustard see....if...." THESE SIGNS WILL accompany those who believe. Show me ONE person who fits that description. All I need is the evidence Jesus says I WILL have.
Based on the master texts, those verses were actually additions made by later copyists and were never part of the original manuscripts. According to reliable early manuscripts, the Gospel of Mark ends with vs. 8.
(January 12, 2017 at 4:11 pm)FatAndFaithless Wrote:(January 12, 2017 at 4:07 pm)Yadayadayada Wrote: Really?! You honestly believe that a God capable of creating the vast universe and everything in it, including billions of galaxies, red hypergiants like VY Canis Majoris, and of course, all life on earth, would be indistinguishable from something or someone that is entirely non-existent?
Does that sound logical to you?
Arguments from personal incredulity aside...
"Argument from personal incredulity" is itself a weak argument, since incredulity is perfectly acceptable if warranted.
Quote:Yes, a god that started creation, then ceased to have any measurable effect on reality at all, is indistinguishable from one that doesn't exist.
How so? Even if God started creation then ceased to have any measurable effect on reality, would not the existence of creation itself still testify to the fact of it being created by God?
The existence of your computer testifies to the fact that some tech people put it together and programmed it, even though they do not come over to your house every day to maintain it.
