Transcript Problem to argument

By Arunav, Aran, Humza
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theist- belief in the existence of a god or gods, specifically of a
creator who intervenes in the universe.
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atheist-a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence
of God or gods.
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agnostic- a person who believes that nothing is known or can
be known of the existence or nature of God
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Proof- argument establishing a fact or the truth of a statement.
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Reason- A source of moral authority.
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Experience- S kill or knowledge obtained from observation or
living through situations or circumstances.
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Evidence- Facts that can indicate whether something is true
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First Cause argument (cosmological argument)
-A proof for the existence of God based on the idea that
there had to be an uncaused cause that made everything
else happen
-The belief that God created the universe. Everything has a
cause, so God must be the cause of the universe
(Aquinas).
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Design argument (teleological argument)
-The argument that God designed (made) the universe
because everything is so intricately made in its detail that it
could not have happened by chance.
How do we prove things
exist?
1. Personal experience- ‘I have seen it so I know it
exists.’
2. Using a chain of reasoning to reach a
conclusion(logic)-‘I have not seen it but there
must be a logical reason to believe in its
existence’
3. Reliable evidence-‘ I have not seen it but others
have convinced me they have.’
How do we prove God
exists?
1. Theists are certain that they have been in
contact with God directly.
2. Theists accept the accounts that other people
have given of their experience of God
3. Believe that god is the reason for the origin of
the universe and the order within it.
First cause(Cosmological)
argument
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Everything that exists was caused to exist
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the Universe exists, so it must have a cause
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There had to be something eternal(without
beginning or end) that was not caused by
anything.
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Eternal cause has to be god
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Therefore god exists.
Problems with argument
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The First Cause argument states that things exist
because they are caused to exist, and this includes the
universe which was caused by Gosd, who is eternal.
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Atheists and agnostics challenge the argument by
saying-if the argument is that things exist because they
are caused to exist, THEN WHAT CAUSED GOD?
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THEISTS reply that the argument only applies to God
as he is transcendent.
Design (Teleological) Argument
William Paley(1734-1805)
If you were walking on a heath and saw a watch on the ground
you would assume that its parts had not come together by
chance because it is too ordered and complicated. Therefore
someone must have designed it or it would not work.
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Because the universe is also ordered and complicated,
someone must have designed that too. That 'someone' is God.
Problem with argument
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ATHEISTS point to the existence of the cruelty
and suffering found within nature as evidence that
the world is not designed- a designer would not
have included such flaws.
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THEISTS reply that God is beyond human
understanding and there is an explanation for
natural evil and suffering which humans do not
understand.
Morality Argument
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MORALITY is a sense of right and wrong that helps guide people’s
behaviour.
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THEISTS argue:
People have an inbuilt sense of morality
This sense comes from a source outside of them.
This source is God
Therefore GOD EXISTS.
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Some THEISTS argue that the fact that we have a conscience is
evidence fore the existence of God. Conscience is like AN INNER
VOICE from GOD that guides our behaviour.
Problem to argument
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ATHEISTS and AGNOSTICS claim that morality
is part of human development through evolution
and thus natural selection has favoured morality
as survival value.
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THEISTS reply that the fact that morality helps
people to survive is part of God’s design for
humans.
Miracles Prove God
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A miracle is an event that would be impossible by
natural law, but is brought to pass by the
supernatural power of God.
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therefore god must exist due to it.
Problem to argument
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miracles could have a scientific explanation,
however cannot be found due a lack of
scientific knowledge
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miracles can be faked easily
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Theists want miracles to happen, so they give
miraclous claims to ordinary events.
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THEISTS respond by saying that miracle cases
are thouroughly tested.
Religious Experience
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The argument for God’s existence based on
personal experience of God through a
revelation, miracle, conversion, worship, etc.
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Revelations prove God’s existence
Problem to argument
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Could just be delusions caused by medical
problems in that situation e.g. serious dehydration
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A false statement could have been made to
enforce peoples belief in God.
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THEISTS reply that the influence of religious
experiences is so great that they must be true.
Key Quotes
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"As we shall see, the concept of time has no meaning
before the beginning of the universe. This was first
pointed out by St. Augustine. When asked: What did
God do before he created the universe? Augustine
didn't reply: He was preparing Hell for people who
asked such questions. Instead, he said that time was
a property of the universe that God created, and that
time did not exist before the beginning of the
universe."
-Stephen Hawking, A Brief History of Time (New
York: Bantam, 1988), p. 8
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“And without faith it is impossible to please him,
for whoever would draw near to God must believe
that he exists and that he rewards those who
seek him”
-Hebrews 11:6
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“A man can no more diminish God's glory by
refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out
the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the
walls of his cell”
-.C.S. Lewis
Thank you for Listening