The Religious Argument

[Loki]

One of the most common arguments by Christians, or indeed other believers, is that there must be a God, because the universe is so awesome that it cannot have come into existence without God.

One example can be seen here:

Think of all the millions of stars and planets, isn't it strange that the ONLY life is found in earth? How can this be? You'd think that some type of "life" would exist in other parts of the universe. Even if we try to imagine there is no God, the universe around us is a constant testimony of God's presence, power and goodness. There must be a God! It is the ONLY logical conclusion.

Well ... to the logical mind, this conclusion only makes things even less plausible. That is trying to explain something by adding a tinge of supernaturalness and superstition. Now that would explain the inexplicable!

On the contrary. If you want to throw a god into the argument to explain that which you cannot fathom with your tiny human brain, then you are only complicating matters. For if this God was indeed the creator of things we cannot understand, then who created him? How did he come into existence? Does God have a God who created him? You see, this creates a whole lot more problems to solve. I think the Big Bang theory, the expansion of the universe and the evolution of all life on earth is infinitely more plausible than the existence of an almighty god who created it all.

[Gooding]

Meaning, poetry,faith,Noble Virtues, gods and goddesses to focus on, ancestors to respect, that is what religion is to me.I would refute the Christian argument as being illogical and if it can't be verified, then belief should be suspended.Eostre came and went and it was truly a day of Spring, when the land gets green and the sun gets hot(and rain follows the next day) and the cycle of life goes on.

[Karaten]

Think of all the millions of stars and planets, isn't it strange that the ONLY life is found in earth? How can this be? You'd think that some type of "life" would exist in other parts of the universe. Even if we try to imagine there is no God, the universe around us is a constant testimony of God's presence, power and goodness. There must be a God! It is the ONLY logical conclusion.

When was it proven that Earth is the only planet with life?

[Loki]

When was it proven that Earth is the only planet with life?

Oh yeah, that's another point. It is virtually impossible that Earth would be the only planet in the universe to contain life.

[Gooding]

That's true.Seeing as how the Big Three (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) have nothing in their writings about life on other planets, they ignore or speak out against the possibility.If humanity is not the end all of the Universe,then the most helpful human religions are the tribal ones, which encourage evolution in thought.

[Ulf]

Isaac Asimov: The Last Question up up

...in spite of or in defiance of the whole of existence he wills to be himself with it, to take it along, almost defying his torment. For to hope in the possibility of help, not to speak of help by virtue of the absurd, that for God all things are possible — no, that he will not do. And as for seeking help from any other — no, that he will not do for all the world; rather than seek help he would prefer to be himself — with all the tortures of hell, if so it must be.

— Søren Kierkegaard

According to absurdism, humans historically attempt to find meaning in their lives. For some, traditionally, this search follows one of two paths: either concluding that life is meaningless, and that what we have is the here-and-now; or alternatively, filling the void with a purpose set forth by a higher power, often a belief in God or adherence to a religion. However, even with a spiritual power as the answer to meaning, another question is posed: What is the purpose of God? Kierkegaard believed that there is no human-comprehensible purpose of God, making faith in God absurd.

[Loki]

According to absurdism, humans historically attempt to find meaning in their lives. For some, traditionally, this search follows one of two paths: either concluding that life is meaningless, and that what we have is the here-and-now; or alternatively, filling the void with a purpose set forth by a higher power, often a belief in God or adherence to a religion. However, even with a spiritual power as the answer to meaning, another question is posed: What is the purpose of God? Kierkegaard believed that there is no human-comprehensible purpose of God, making faith in God absurd.

Absurdism is indeed an attractive train of thought Oulf. I would subscribe to it, and I am also of the belief that life is meaningless. It is a "mistake", so to speak. A brief one at that, too, since the existence of humans on earth is only a blink of an eye in the history of the universe and time itself.

[Ulf]

Absurdism is indeed an attractive train of thought Oulf. I would subscribe to it, and I am also of the belief that life is meaningless. It is a "mistake", so to speak. A brief one at that, too, since the existence of humans on earth is only a blink of an eye in the history of the universe and time itself.

Life is only as meaningless as you perceive it to be. Create a meaning, become a god.

[Loki]

Create a meaning, become a god.

That, I already am. But a mortal one. Such a shame that this brain must rot one day.

[Ulf]

But a mortal one. Such a shame that this brain must rot one day.

You should ask Multivac how to reverse entropy.

Isaac Asimov: The Last Question