Best Argument For or Against God's Existence

[GrimKingGrim]

It is my understanding that it is the religion that establishes the need, for which only they can provide the solution.

Exactly why tribes who have no suspicions of gods and don't even know the concept are very happy people

 

[TillICollapse]

Exactly why tribes who have no suspicions of gods and don't even know the concept are very happy people

Examples ?

I can think of one quick one (Piraha peoples and Daniel Everett). Can you reference more by chance ? I'm not much for the "noble savage" concept, but when it may actually exist in some capacity it's interesting.

 

[Achilles6129]

I'd say the best argument against a god is that there is no established need for one in the first place.

By "established need" do you mean the idea that the universe needs a Creator or people's emotional needs?

 

[GrimKingGrim]

By "established need" do you mean the idea that the universe needs a Creator or people's emotional needs?

Everything in general. The universe doesn't seem like it now not will ever need a God

 

[Belk]

I would say any God, but you could answer both if you'd like.

An argument against any god is problematic as the term is rather in-specific. Gods can range a wide gamut of ideas and that makes it hard to come up with any principle that would be against all of them. I would think the best generic argument I could come up with is our sheer ignorance. The ideas we come up with for gods are so human centric that they most likely would be wildly off from a truth of what a god would be.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

An argument against any god is problematic as the term is rather in-specific. Gods can range a wide gamut of ideas and that makes it hard to come up with any principle that would be against all of them. I would think the best generic argument I could come up with is our sheer ignorance. The ideas we come up with for gods are so human centric that they most likely would be wildly off from a truth of what a god would be.

We have an affinity for belief in God, almost like we were....made in the.....image and likeness of....? Hey, I think I've stumbled on to something!

 

[Freodin]

We have an affinity for belief in God, almost like we were....made in the.....image and likeness of....? Hey, I think I've stumbled on to something!

We have an affinity for belief in familiar things. That's why gods are... made in the... image and likeness of.... US!

 

[OldWiseGuy]

We have an affinity for belief in familiar things. That's why gods are... made in the... image and likeness of.... US!

It's true that some have shaped God into a more accommodating figure than is described in holy writ, although most of us don't buy into that idolatry.

 

[Freodin]

It's true that some have shaped God into a more accommodating figure than is described in holy writ, although most of us don't buy into that idolatry.

The figure "described in holy writ" is very much like us. Well, if it wasn't, your previous post about the "image and likeness" wouldn't make much sense. Just look beyond the "old man with a white beard and robe living in the sky" cliché.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

The figure "described in holy writ" is very much like us. Well, if it wasn't, your previous post about the "image and likeness" wouldn't make much sense. Just look beyond the "old man with a white beard and robe living in the sky" cliché.

That's an interesting point in itself, given the theme of this thread. Many of the most common arguments for the existence of God would only warrant deism at best. Yet the apologists wielding these arguments are usually Christians, Muslims, or Jews; people whose theological commitments include claims about sin, salvation, and the relationship between human beings and the divine. Many apologists seem to be under the impression that if they can convince us that there is a god, that this will be enough to set forth a chain reaction that will automatically render all their other claims credible. Providing a compelling case for theism is really only the first step!

 

[OldWiseGuy]

That's an interesting point in itself, given the theme of this thread. Many of the most common arguments for the existence of God would only warrant deism at best. Yet the apologists wielding these arguments are usually Christians, Muslims, or Jews; people whose theological commitments include claims about sin, salvation, and the relationship between human beings and the divine. Many apologists seem to be under the impression that if they can convince us that there is a god, that this will be enough to set forth a chain reaction that will automatically render all their other claims credible. Providing a compelling case for theism is really only the first step!

The most compelling argument for belief in God is......belief in God. God grants belief, we don't 'work it up' by ourselves. Debating is fun and interesting. No reasonable Christian expects to convert anyone through apologetics or any other argument. It's just a great way to pass the time while we're waiting around to die.

 

[Belk]

We have an affinity for belief in God, almost like we were....made in the.....image and likeness of....? Hey,I think I've stumbled on to something!

Yes, we have predilection to make up gods. Almost as if one of the characteristics humans share is pattern seeking and a human centric view of the universe.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Yes, we have predilection to make up gods. Almost as if one of the characteristics humans share is pattern seeking and a human centric view of the universe.

A 'god' that we make up is no god.

Even science seeks patterns (I pattern deer movements, in fact I'm checking a trail camera this afternoon).

We are the center of the universe, physically speaking. The true center is God's throne; somewhere in the "sides of the north".

 

[Belk]

A 'god' that we make up is no god.

I would agree. I guess the difference between us is I think they are all made up and you think all but 1 are.

Even science seeks patterns (I pattern deer movements, in fact I'm checking a trail camera this afternoon).

It does indeed. However, it has the crucial component of double checking to see if the pattern it sees is correct.

We are the center of the universe, physically speaking. The true center is God's throne; somewhere in the "sides of the north".

Not, so much.

History of the Center of the Universe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Freodin]

The most compelling argument for belief in God is......belief in God. God grants belief, we don't 'work it up' by ourselves. Debating is fun and interesting. No reasonable Christian expects to convert anyone through apologetics or any other argument. It's just a great way to pass the time while we're waiting around to die.

People believe - even in a religious or quasi-religious way - all kind of things?

Why would "belief in God" be an exception?

 

[Davian]

A 'god' that we make up is no god.

Agreed.

 

[Mediate]

Hello all,

In your opinion, what's the very best argument for the existence of God? Conversely, what's the top argument against the existence of God? Interested to hear your responses and subsequent reasoning. Thanks!

The best argument for God is the assertion that he exists; the best argument against God is the assertion that he does not.

The latter argument carries more proof.

 

[Achilles6129]

Everything in general. The universe doesn't seem like it now not will ever need a God

Why not?

 

[Achilles6129]

Freodin said:

The figure "described in holy writ" is very much like us. Well, if it wasn't, your previous post about the "image and likeness" wouldn't make much sense. Just look beyond the "old man with a white beard and robe living in the sky" cliché.

Oh really? So telling you to execute your child for cursing you is "very much like us"? The God/Christ of the Bible are nothing like humanity at all - why do you think antitheists have such a heydey attacking them?

 

[Achilles6129]

Not, so much.

History of the Center of the Universe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Actually, we may be near the center of the universe:

Our galaxy is the centre of the universe, 'quantized' redshifts show - creation.com