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- The cosmological argument. The cosmological argument is fairly straightforward. A modern version of it reads: Whatever begins to exist must have a cause for its existence.
- The problem of evil. The problem of evil is the most famous argument against the existence of an all-powerful and loving god. It’s also old. For example, it provides the central theme of the Book of Job in the Abrahamic traditions.
- The teleological argument. Also known as “the argument from design,” the teleological argument claims the world’s complexity proves a designer exists. The argument is, again, rather straightforward
- Russell’s teapot. One of the more whimsical arguments against the existence of any gods was put forward by Bertrand Russell. And like any member of the British aristocracy in good standing, the third Earl Russell invoked tea in his argument.
- Overview
- Using Science to Argue Against the Existence of God
- Drawing on Cultural Evidence to Argue that God Doesn't Exist
- Engaging Philosophical Arguments to Argue that God Doesn't Exist
- Getting Ready to Discuss Religion
Most people around the world believe that a deity exists. For a significant number, this is the Judeo-Christian God. It can be challenging to effectively argue against his existence. However, scientific, historical, philosophical, and cultural evidence can all be brought into play when developing a compelling argument that God does not exist. Whate...
Propose that living beings are poorly designed.
The argument from poor design states that if God is perfect, why did he create us and many other living creatures so poorly? For instance, we are vulnerable to many diseases, our bones break easily, and with age our bodies and minds break down. You could also mention our poorly-made spines, inflexible knees, and pelvic bones that make childbirth difficult and painful for women. Together, this biological evidence indicates that God does not exist (or that he did not create us well, in which case, there is no reason to worship him).
Argue that belief in God is socially determined.
There are several variations on this idea. You could explain that in relatively poor nations, almost everyone believes in God, while in relatively rich and developed nations, few people believe in God.
You could also state that people who are well-educated are more likely to be atheists than those who have lower levels of education. Together, these facts make a strong case that God is only a cultural product and belief in God depends on one's particular social circumstances.
You could also suggest that people who are raised in one religion overwhelmingly tend to stick with that religion throughout their lives. Those who were not raised in a religious household, conversely, rarely become religious later.
Explain that just because most people believe in God, it is not necessarily true.
One common reason for belief in God is that most people believe it. This “common consent” argument might also suppose that because belief in God is so high, such a belief must be natural. However, you can refute this idea by proposing that just because many people believe something, it is not right. For instance, you might explain that belief in the Greek gods was common but is now no longer socially acceptable.
Argue that if God exists, he would not allow so much unbelief.
This argument proposes that where atheism exists, God would descend or intervene personally in the world to reveal himself to atheists.
The fact that so many atheists exist, however, and that God has not attempted to persuade them through divine intervention, means that God likely does not exist.
Believers might counter this claim by stating that God allows free will, and that therefore, unbelief is an inevitable outcome of this. They might cite specific instances in their holy texts of occasions when their God revealed himself to people who still refused to believe.
Explore inconsistency in the other person's belief.
If the believer's faith is premised on the idea that God created the universe because “All things have a beginning and an end,” you could ask, “If that is so, then what created God?"
Prepare to argue that God doesn't exist by familiarizing yourself with the main arguments and ideas of well-known atheists.
, by Christopher Hitchens, for instance, is a good place to start.
, by Richard Dawkins, is another excellent source of rational arguments against the existence of a religious deity.
In addition to researching arguments in favor of atheism, investigate the rebuttals or justifications from the religious perspective.
Be familiar with the issues or beliefs that might invite your opponent's criticism, and ensure you can adequately defend your own beliefs.
Arrange your arguments in a logical way.
Dec 4, 2019 · In it, I will lay out the most popular arguments for and against God’s existence, show why attempts to prove God exists fail, but argue that there is good evidence that God does not exist.
Dr. Atkins did not address the historical evidences from the empty tomb, the appearances of Jesus, and the origin of the disciples’ faith, or the resurrection of Christ, which provides miraculous evidence for God’s existence, nor did he address the immediate experience of God.
- The Arguments for God's Existence Fail. Undoubtably, the most persuasive arguments for God's existence are the Kalam cosmological argument (which suggests that God caused the universe) and the fine-tuning theological argument (which suggests that God designed it).
- The Kalam Cosmological Argument. The Kalam cosmological argument was originally formulated to make up for certain deficiencies in other cosmological arguments.Footnote 7 It gets its name from the ʿIlm al-Kalām, a Muslim school of thought, or ‘science of discourse’, used to defend Islam.
- The Fine-Tuning Argument. The fine-tuning argument invokes God, not as an explanation for the universe's existence, but for its design. The basic idea is this: the laws and constants that make life possible in this universe seem to be balanced on a razor's edge for life; if any one of them were slightly different from what it is, life could not exist.
- The Problem of Evil Succeeds. Perhaps the most common reason philosophers give for not believing in God is the presence of evil in the world. Rape, hunger, poverty, animal suffering, human misery, the holocaust … the list goes on. ‘
Oct 22, 2009 · There are lots of people who aren't aware of the existence of a loving God. Therefore such a God does not exist. This article is an in depth look at some of the reasons why people choose atheism...
Jun 12, 2014 · 1. The Goals of Theistic Arguments. 2. History of Moral Arguments for God’s Existence. 3. Theoretical Moral Arguments for God’s Existence and Divine Command Theories of Moral Obligation. 4. Arguments from Moral Knowledge or Awareness. 5. Arguments from Human Dignity or Worth. 6. Practical Moral Arguments for Belief in God. 7. Conclusion.
