A beginning

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The Existence of God is under Review Series

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I am very interested in the idea of God. In fact, this whole debate concerning the existence of God consumes much of my mental time. I do not believe the Entity exists as the religionists proclaim. I do not think it is rational to believe in something that you cannot touch or see and hear in a physical manner. To envision an idea is one thing, but to proclaim that God exists, and to make Him out like the truth is yet another. And, for a whole civilization to embrace something which is nothing more than an idea is perplexing to me, and an injustice all at the same time.

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Recently, I have been reading the writings of the philosopher David Hume (1711–76) for some thoughts regarding the existence of God, and in fact, what the very origins of ideas are. Philosopher Hume is a much respected man, even now after his death. A man must have some good thoughts if they are to persist and if people continue to take hold of them. David Hume was such a man and I would encourage anyone interested in this notion of a God to study his rationale for debating the existence of God. I am hoping to study Mr. Hume in a more complete manner so as to fully understand his thoughts on the matter. You can read about David Hume on the main part of my blog. The link is below:

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The Philosophy of David Hume

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" A miracle is a violation of the laws of nature; and as a firm and unalterable experience has established these laws, the proof against a miracle, from the very nature of the fact, is as entire as any argument from experience can possibly be imagined. Why is it more than probable, that all men must die; that lead cannot, of itself, remain suspended in the air; that fire consumes wood, and is extinguished by water; unless it be, that these events are found agreeable to the laws of nature, and there is required a violation of these laws, or in other words, a miracle to prevent them? Nothing is esteemed a miracle, if it ever happen in the common course of nature. It is no miracle that a man, seemingly in good health, should die on a sudden: because such a kind of death, though more unusual than any other, has yet been frequently observed to happen. But it is a miracle, that a dead man should come to life; because that has never been observed in any age or country. There must, therefore, be a uniform experience against every miraculous event, otherwise the event would not merit that appellation. And as a uniform experience amounts to a proof, there is here a direct and full proof, from the nature of the fact, against the existence of any miracle; nor can such a proof be destroyed, or the miracle rendered credible, but by an opposite proof, which is superior. "

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Above quote found in An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding in Hume's discussion of Miracles.



And, you might also want to scan my main blog in the Organizational portion.

If you are a believer in the Entity here are a couple of links which will help you to consolidate your views in support of God:

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Arguments for the Existence of God

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One of the themes of the preacher in the following video is the negativity of the atheist. For example, he states in the video that he wonders why the atheist even bothers to get up in the morning if there is nothing to live for. This minister touches on many topics including the Cosmological argument for God's existence. At the beginning of his speech the speaker proposes an interesting argument using the O.J. Simpson case as being analgous to an understanding of the existence of God. Mr. Simpson got off because his case was not proved beyond a reasonable doubt. In the civil case against him we know that he was found guilty. And, it is the same with Christianity claims the preacher, since it can be shown that based on the preponderous of the evidence God exists. This fellow is an effective speaker and he is most definitely preaching to the choir.

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Video: A Christian discusses the existence of God

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To get the debate rolling here is a video with two hard-hitting participants. One is a Christian, Alister McGrath, ( a former atheist ) and a confirmed atheist ( Richard Dawkins ) This debate will reveal a typical stance taken by a religionist. They simply do not have legitimate arguments to support and consolidate their views, and, in the end, rely on faith as a defence for their arguments. Topics discussed in this video are ideas about probability and the question of evil. Richard Dawkins does all of the heavy lifting here and is asking all of the important questions to the Christian believer. This film highlights for me the weakness of the Christian religion as a theology, and the supporter of the faith ( Alister McGrath ), seems forced to provide theological answers to issues that are not really religious ones.

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Personally, I feel that God is an idea just as love is an idea. Although " love " is only an idea I can prove that it exists because I can feel the results of it. An emotion can have a name and I have given it one. What sort of proof is there of God's miracles and of his design and his morality and all the rest? A Christian might say that he can feel " God's love." Maybe what he is really feeling is his own love and the idea of that thing and nothing more.

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Richard Dawkins and Alister McGrath

in a video debate on God's existence

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A Summary of the arguments

Concerning the Existence of God:

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Listed below is a summary of the major arguments that are debated relating to the existence of God. The arguments themselves are arranged under the following headings:

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Pascal’s Wager,

The Ontological Argument,

The Cosmological Argument (including the first cause argument),

The Teleological Argument (i.e. the argument from design),

The Moral Argument,

Religious Experience and

The Argument from Miracles

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The source for the above links is found here:

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Philosophy of Religion

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I am not against the religionist posting his views on my site as I consider myself to be an objective person, one who is willing to listen to all voices of reason. ( Although, I should warn you that I am a pretty firm believer in the non-existence of any kind of Entity as we know Him to be here in the Western world. ) Therefore, debate from a Theist is certainly encouraged. I, myself, will most likely post articles that explain and defend the religious beliefs and the existence of the Entity. Consider this as a courtoom, a courtroom where the greatest case of all mankind will be examined and decided upon.

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Sincerely,

Carl Baydala,

Saturday August 2, 2008.

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This post was updated on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at approximately 5:00 AM.

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