Philosophical arguments used to 'prove' God's existence

Former Member

There are a fewl:

The Design Argument - The universe's intricacy and intelligent design must be have been instituted by an intelligent entity

The Anthropic Principle - Sentient life has evolved and exists on Earth. Ergo, that means a God must have been responsible for the creation of the universe.

First Cause Argument- ALL THINGS are the result of some action. Therefore, the universe exists because God created it.


Which one makes the most sense to you?

Former Member

None of them I'm afraid. Life is capable of creating itself when the right elements and conditions are present. The rest is a question of self-improving and evolution.

I cannot think of a single aspect of life or the universe that justifies the existence of god. That doesn't prove that god doesn't exist, but it does not prove the opposite either. We still don't know the origins of the universe and are struggling to understand the concepts of 4 dimensional space-time universe, or what 'was' before the big bang. But that is no different from cavemen who could not comprehend what caused an eclipse. Just because we cannot possibly comprehend something it means there must have been some superior being behind it (although it is much easier a concept to grasp for the mind).

Former Member

http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104-984921.html

http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/Mathematicians/Bayes.html

Former Member

Re: Philosophical arguments used to 'prove' God's existence

Originally posted by monocrat
The Design Argument - The universe's intricacy and intelligent design must be have been instituted by an intelligent entity

The universe(s) is(are) infinitly large. Therefore, in the space of infinity, all possibilities must occur, including this apparently intricate and intelligent design.

The Anthropic Principle - Sentient life has evolved and exists on Earth. Ergo, that means a God must have been responsible for the creation of the universe.

see above

First Cause Argument- ALL THINGS are the result of some action. Therefore, the universe exists because God created it.

What created God, and caused God to create the universe? Someone or others razor - the simplest soloution is usually the correct one. That the universe appears on its own is much simpler than God appeared on its own and created the universe without input.

Former Member

People who don't believe in God, will say that you can't believe something which you have no kind of physical evidence for. While people who do, will say that just because there's darkness in the room, doesn't mean that the furniture isn't there.

I don't think that arguments, will convince either of the "sides" that the other believe is the "true" one. Think you need an actual event or occurance, before you can change your "side".

Former Member

If you believe in something without evidence, how can you condemn others who do the same. If you cannot be convinced that you are wrong, then you should accept that other people may believe that what they're doing is right, whilst everyone else thinks it's wrong.
Case studies: Islamic militants, IRA, Al Quaeda and so on. Whilst many religious people condemn what these groups do, how can they complain. These people are doing what they thing is right, just like, for example, the mormons preach to people, which they believe is right. Whilst the effects are not the same, the idea essentially is.

Former Member

Well said.

We are told that fundamentalists are interpreting the scriptures 'wrongly' but what does that mean?

If in the end you must condemn these people as 'wrong' because of other human values then doesn't that make the idea that morality stems from religion look a bit silly?

Former Member

None of those prove God's existance.

Personally, I believe that anyone who is focused on proving God's existance is on his or her way to not believing in God.

The properties of Math can prove some of what you're saying. Seeing the universe based on man's experience is another error...maybe we can't comprehend "always."

Faith doesn't require proof.