The God Hypothesis Examined Part 2
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Which God?
The argument from design is a popular argument used by theists to prove the existence of God (One major problem with the argument from design is addressed in part 1 http://hubpages.com/hub/Percy-Bysshe-Shelleys-Refutation-Of-Deism-Examined) . I have heard many Christians use this argument as a way to convert skeptics. However, one important aspect of this argument that they need to consider is this: even if the argument were valid, it doesn't prove the existence of any particular god. Further evidence must be presented to establish the validity of the particular religion that the proselytizer is espousing.
Another problem with the argument from design is the fact that, even if design were proven, this doesn't necessarily mean that the designer is omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent or is in possession of any of the characteristics usually ascribed to deities. The designer could simply be a very powerful and intelligent being, but not necessarily all powerful. If nature is any indication of its abilities, I would have to say that this is most likely the case. When you look at nature, you will undoubtedly see complexity and order; however, you will also see horrible flaws that would seem to indicate that the designer is limited in ability. (To see a great article that deals with the flaws found in nature, I highly recommend the article entitled Jury Rigged Design In Nature from the talkorigins.com website. Here's the link http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/jury-rigged.html)
Another thing that needs to be considered is that, it may not be just one designer. Perhaps there is an entire society of designers that are responsible for our existence.
The truth is, we cannot know the identity, power, number, intention or any significant information about the nature of the designer(s) based solely on what it, or they, have designed.
What I have noticed over the years is that theists of all religious persuasions often use the design argument to argue for the existence of their particular god as well as the book that was supposedly authored by that god. However, you can't argue the truth of the Bible or the Qur'an by asserting the design argument! In formal logic, that is what is referred to as a non-sequitur (a logical error where the conclusion does not follow from the premises). When I engage in a debate with a theist, I make sure and always call them out on that point.
You won't hear any of that in Sunday school!
Click this link for part 3
- The God Hypothesis Examined Part 3
Other problems with the God hypothesis were addressed in part 1 http://hubpages.com/hub/Percy-Bysshe-Shelleys-Refutation-Of-Deism-Examined and part 2...
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Comments
gandalfthegrey - I am content to allow people their beliefs. However, this attitude is not always reciprocated. We non-believers have had to endure constant accusations about our "true" intentions. Believers say that, deep down inside, each non-believer actually believes the same thing they do and that they have no good reason not to believe. They say that we have a hatred for God and only wish to live decadent lifestyles free of the fear of punishment in the hearafter. I heard this when I was growing up as a fundamentalist Christian and I continue to hear it now. Such accusations are utterly absurd. My articles are an attempt to challenge that assertion by providing what I see as very logical reasons for not believing. If they stopped trying to claim to know what we non-believers were thinking inside our heads, I would be content to drop the subject altogether. As of yet, however, that has not happened and there is no sign of an end to it. Perhaps the two sides are destined to debate the subject indefinitely - who knows?
Thanks for reading and commenting.
David, as much as I agree and subscribe to your cause I fear it is, at least for the time being, unlikely to convert theists in great numbers. Sadly they do not respond to the word 'logic'. It is not in their psychic translator. As I see it, there are believers and "believers". The first kind live in a world of uncertainty and fear. They seek answers to settle their fears and when the answers are not there, they invent them. The second kind are the worst kind. They see the uncertainty and fear in others and plot to take advantage of, and profit from it. Before we can educate the first, we have to expose the second.
John, you may be correct. The top-down approach you speak of may in fact be the remedy. However, I personally think that when people are better educated in critical thinking, they will be better able to see the charlatans for what they really are; a sort of bottom-up approach if you will. If that were to happen, the "believers" would gradually lose thier influence. I am sometimes astonished at the level of ignorance displayed by believers about very simple things that you or I would take for granted. If people were better educated, much fewer would fall victim to religion.
I can tell you from first hand experience that most believers take anyone with reverend in front of their name at their word on anything. If reverend so and so tells them that evolution is a lie, it must be true because, in their eyes, he is a spokesman for the almighty. Rarely would they even think about questioning the things they've been told. This type of sheepish herd-like mentality pervades the religious culture and it's high time that we, the rational, start rattling the saber of reason.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
David - promoting critical thinking is a laudable aim (I would have to say that because I try to do it too!) but it is very hard to compete with the financially backed promotion of misinformation and illogic that pervades modern society. Sadly, there are powerful vested interests who prefer an irrational populace. But keep trying!
Paraglider - Trying to promote reason to the unreasonable has its discouraging moments, but regardless, we must persevere! The vested interests that spread the misinformation sure aren't going to stop anytime soon, so we, the rational, must continue being a voice for reason.
Thanks for the comment.
"Another thing that needs to be considered is that, it may not be just one designer. Perhaps there is an entire society of designers that are responsible for our existence."
Yep. Design by committee! That's why things are so messed up! LOL!!!
Cheers!
Chef Jeff
Chef Jeff - That may indeed be why things are so messed up. Maybe they ran out of funding and had to cut some corners. LOL!
Thanks for the comment and for becoming a fan!
I've enjoyed reading this blog and it seems that everyone that's commented has a great degree of intelligence, which is refreshing!
I have to say that I don't agree with the meat of this article however. I'm also not a "Bible Thumper!" I'm more of a spiritual person with an open mind.
I suscribe to the "Ying and Yang" principal. There is always two sides to everything. With every good act, there is a bad, for every good there is evil. Without that aspect in our lives it would be pointless. How could a world of all good ever amount to anything. There would no lessons to learn, no teachers, as everyone would know everything. Life would be pointless and boring.
I agree with a variation of the evolution theory. I don't think life began just out of the blue and that we evolved from an ape. I do however agree that all humans are going through a change and we are getting taller, black and white is becoming "tan!" Just like dogs and cats as they breed with other types of their kind, mix breeds occur. What I don't agree with is that eventually a cat could become a human!
One thing that I would love to hear from an evolutionist is the explanation of how it all began. I'm talking about the beginning of space, planets stars and etc and the first single celled animal and including the creation of "DNA."
I don't believe in the bible version of God, Jesus, Moses and all of that and I'm not a church goer at all. I am not a Christian really, Babtist, or even a Catholic. I do believe in a divine entity however that created the "cause."
I see it as more of a light energy from which all energy is created. Of course I've never seen this entity, but I know there is such a force, as there is an Earth, water and oceans, wind and animals and plant life that all began somehow. Once the beginning has happened than I'm ok with the explanations as to how animals will change through evolution.
rvsource - I have more respect for your view on the supernatural than I do for those who adhere to the various world religions. I'm not sure if you realize this or not, but atheists don't necessarily claim to know that there is no creator. They simply claim that no definitive evidence has been presented to support that conclusion. I have another article that clears up some common misconceptions about atheism http://hubpages.com/hub/Of-Gods-And-Teapots . So, you may be correct about the existence of a creator, but I think we both agree that that creator wouldn't be the psychopathic creator described in the Bible or the Qur'an.
Also, I don't think that yet to be explained phenomenon should be automatically assumed to be the work of a supernatural entity. That conclusion has been premature in the past and there's no reason to think that will change. In my opinion, positing a creator raises more questions than is answers. It just answers a mystery with a mystery.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
I may be considered an agnostic in that I question the common perceptions of God, and I have no idea if God exists or not. I may believe He exists, but that doesn't make it true. Therefore, I have chosen to believe but keep an open mind.
Cheers!
Chef Jeff
Chef Jeff - Your view is a very rational one. Being rational is all about being doubtful or uncertain on questions like these. Sometimes the best answer is "I don't know."
Thanks for the comment.
gandalfthegrey says:
3 months ago
All religious "Holy Books" were written by men. The long term editing went on for hundreds of years and is still in progress. Humans are an insecure race of beings, threatened on all sides through most of Man's existence, by animals, Nature and each other...read Tribal...this is also continueing today. Let them have their comfort.