Hello all,
I'm new at this forum (i.e. this is my first post). However, I've been quite active in two other forums. So, in debates, I'm not a newbie. Yet, I haven't got a handle on this forum style just yet. So, if I make mistakes (formatting, etc.), please forgive me.
As far as my posting style, I tend to get to posts once a day. Yet at times, several days can pass before I get a chance to address posts if I'm busy.
And without further ado ... let's tackle the subject at hand.
One of the posts that I read contained a probability of God. That got me to thinking about this topic. What is the probability of the existence of God, without naming names, existing? What I mean by "God" is some supernatural being that has omniscient and omnipotent capabilities. To answer this question, one must ask a simple question. "Where did I come from?"
To determine a probability, one can measure the actual results over time. But, on certain questions, it is impossible to answer based upon repeated results. For example, the Twin Towers collapse in New York cannot be duplicated multiple times. Therefore, other methods are more practical for determining the "probability" of that event. Thus, some times it is necessary to determine the probability by eliminating other possibilities. For example, we could reasonably state that the towers did not collapse because of the wind that day.
Since this question (Where did I come from?) is of this nature, I will be utilizing the technique of eliminating the alternative answers in order to objectively determine the probability of the existence of God.
There are many theories that attempt to answer that question. In fact, there are too many to address in this short post. However, I can address two of the more common theories.
NATURALISM
Simply speaking, naturalism is the belief that all life's questions can be answered through science. Thus, there is no need for a god or gods to explain life's mysteries.
Naturalists answer the question of "Where did I come from?" with the following sets of answers.
A) All human life came from the first human couple.
B) The first human couple evolved from a more primitive species.
C) This species evolved from a series of evolutions back to the first life on earth.
D) The first life evolved by chance, due to available energy from the sun.
E) The sun came into being through a process known as the "Big Bang".
F) The Big Bang originated from a singularity, which exploded scattering matter that formed the galaxies.
G) But, there is no naturalist explanation for the origins of this singularity.
Thus, we are left with three questions that are unanswerable through science.
What are the origins of Matter, Energy and Time?
Since naturalism is unable to explain these three questions, then naturalism is not a viable option.
THEISM
Theism is the belief that a god or multiple gods created the universe. Three of the more common theist religions are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Since all three are founded upon a common source (i.e. Old Testament), I will utilize this source as a foundation for answering this question.
The Bible records that God created the heavens and the earth, along with all plants, animals, and mankind.
It also addresses the questions which naturalism was unable to answer.
Where did the following originate?
Matter - Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Energy - Gen 1:3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
Time - Gen 1:4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
CONCLUSION
With naturalism eliminated as a possible contender for explaining the origins of life, the probability of a supernatural being is increased. However, this still doesn't guarantee that God is a certainty.
Thus, one is left to consider which supernatural being holds the likely answers to life's questions. Just food for some discussion.
I'm new at this forum (i.e. this is my first post). However, I've been quite active in two other forums. So, in debates, I'm not a newbie. Yet, I haven't got a handle on this forum style just yet. So, if I make mistakes (formatting, etc.), please forgive me.
As far as my posting style, I tend to get to posts once a day. Yet at times, several days can pass before I get a chance to address posts if I'm busy.
And without further ado ... let's tackle the subject at hand.
One of the posts that I read contained a probability of God. That got me to thinking about this topic. What is the probability of the existence of God, without naming names, existing? What I mean by "God" is some supernatural being that has omniscient and omnipotent capabilities. To answer this question, one must ask a simple question. "Where did I come from?"
To determine a probability, one can measure the actual results over time. But, on certain questions, it is impossible to answer based upon repeated results. For example, the Twin Towers collapse in New York cannot be duplicated multiple times. Therefore, other methods are more practical for determining the "probability" of that event. Thus, some times it is necessary to determine the probability by eliminating other possibilities. For example, we could reasonably state that the towers did not collapse because of the wind that day.
Since this question (Where did I come from?) is of this nature, I will be utilizing the technique of eliminating the alternative answers in order to objectively determine the probability of the existence of God.
There are many theories that attempt to answer that question. In fact, there are too many to address in this short post. However, I can address two of the more common theories.
NATURALISM
Simply speaking, naturalism is the belief that all life's questions can be answered through science. Thus, there is no need for a god or gods to explain life's mysteries.
Naturalists answer the question of "Where did I come from?" with the following sets of answers.
A) All human life came from the first human couple.
B) The first human couple evolved from a more primitive species.
C) This species evolved from a series of evolutions back to the first life on earth.
D) The first life evolved by chance, due to available energy from the sun.
E) The sun came into being through a process known as the "Big Bang".
F) The Big Bang originated from a singularity, which exploded scattering matter that formed the galaxies.
G) But, there is no naturalist explanation for the origins of this singularity.
Thus, we are left with three questions that are unanswerable through science.
What are the origins of Matter, Energy and Time?
Since naturalism is unable to explain these three questions, then naturalism is not a viable option.
THEISM
Theism is the belief that a god or multiple gods created the universe. Three of the more common theist religions are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Since all three are founded upon a common source (i.e. Old Testament), I will utilize this source as a foundation for answering this question.
The Bible records that God created the heavens and the earth, along with all plants, animals, and mankind.
It also addresses the questions which naturalism was unable to answer.
Where did the following originate?
Matter - Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Energy - Gen 1:3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
Time - Gen 1:4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
CONCLUSION
With naturalism eliminated as a possible contender for explaining the origins of life, the probability of a supernatural being is increased. However, this still doesn't guarantee that God is a certainty.
Thus, one is left to consider which supernatural being holds the likely answers to life's questions. Just food for some discussion.
