1. A complex all-knowing all-loving God created the universe, and made human beings, and many centuries ago God spoke with human beings, and came to human form as Jesus, died, made his appearance to humans, then was ascended into heaven, and has made no physical contact with humans since then, and we today in 2006 must believe this or when this God returns we will be punished,
or
2. Through natural causes life started in the universe on Earth, my sperm made it to the ova instead of the other 6million. When I die my body decomposes.
2006-07-20 05:29:34 · 42 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
#2 falls within the scientific principle of Occam's Razor.
"Of two equivalent theories or explanations, all other things being equal, the simpler one is to be preferred."
2006-07-20 05:50:00 · answer #1 · answered by iu_runner 2 · 4⤊ 2⤋
What do you think is simpler?
1) The computer you used to post this question was put together by someone.
or
2) All the parts (through natural causes) came together in their exact shape and form in a naturally caused dust free environment.
For the record, I believe the God created the laws of nature, and so the creation of the earth was probably a combination of the two, but I don't think the "which is simpler" or occums razor is very good argument for the side of a Godless creation.
2006-07-20 05:39:10 · answer #2 · answered by daisyk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What natural causes? Both beliefs call for a Kierkegaardian leap of faith. Who created God? Goes to the definition of God. But if "natural causes" started life, what was there, how did it get there, what set the chemical reactions in motion, etc. Both answers are equally simple--if one chooses one without thinking. If one chooses to think, reflect, examine, both are equally complex and ultimately, making a choice based as much on faith as reason, equally simple.
Someone once said that for someone to state that life "just happened" is like saying that a hurricane blowing through a junkyard full of spare parts could assemble a 57 Chevy. Maybe it could. Or...
2006-07-20 05:53:36 · answer #3 · answered by Nihil Sanctus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it sounds easier for someone just to snap his fingers and everything comes into existence. However, it is more logical to believe in the scientific explanation (#2). But I guess that's why they call it "faith," not "fact." But let me ask you something: Why do you have to try and complicate the first (Christian) explanation and simplify the second (Scientific) just to make your point to people that will never see it your way? There is no point and you will probably just get criticized for this. If you go through every step of human reproduction and baby development instead of the simplified version you have given, then #2 would seem more complicated. It's all in the way you ask. Your point will not be taken as seriously as you would hope.
2006-07-20 05:38:13 · answer #4 · answered by bluejacket8j 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simplicity is a completely inappropriate criterion for deciding between two theories. The proper method is to ask: How can this theory be proved wrong? If it is not possible to do so, then it can be shown that the theory can predict nothing: that it is useless. If it IS possible to do so, how well has the theory stood up to attempts to disprove it? Among the choices you have presented, these criteria provide definitive results: theory 1 is irrefutable, hence useless; theory 2 is testable, works, and is now established: workers in the field use it to make predictions which they find useful because they give correct results.
2006-07-20 05:36:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No physical contact? Paul on the road to damascus had Jesus appear to him in such a way that it blinded him for three days. The Holy Spirit makes continuous contact with people every moment. People are changed everyday, lives are being restored, bodies healed, the dead raised. God is living and active in our world, you just dont see it. Those who reject the truth of God are blind to it.
By the way, these natural causes, who started that? It didn't appear out of thin air!
2006-07-20 05:37:55 · answer #6 · answered by foxray43 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
#1 is simpler, because everything is explained by a single cause (motive, intiial impulse). #2 requires a near uncountable number of coincidences, a very complex set of scientific explanations in every field (astrophysics, chemistry, biology, sociology, etc.). Here's another way to think of it: Statement one can be completely explained, with all needed justification, in, at most, one book. Statement 2 requires an extremely complicated understanding of thousands of subjects, which would fill millions of detailed books.
Note that you should get a difference answer if you ask "which is correct," "which is better," "which is preferable," "which is scientific," etc.
2006-07-20 05:37:31 · answer #7 · answered by Qwyrx 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
#1 It's pretty simple and easy to understand. Have you taken an evolutionary biology course? Yeah, um, it's not easy to understand. What goes into evolution is quite complex, and just because your explanation used fewer words does not mean it's simpler. Next time, use the same number of words for both explanations, and see what people say.
2006-07-20 05:38:04 · answer #8 · answered by Dave S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is easier to believe that lightning struck a pool of goo and life began spontaneously. Never replicated in a lab, this theory is just a theory, like my religious belief. Simpler doesn't have anything to do with truth, by the way. Try again.
2006-07-20 05:31:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe God created the earth millions of years ago and the universe billions of years ago and we have been through many ages. Maybe the bible talks about those ages briefly but focuses on the one we now live in more.
2006-07-20 05:33:30 · answer #10 · answered by Fantasy Girl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither is simple. Number 2 is true. The truth of Number 2 in no way denies the existence of God. The answer lies in between, my friend.
2006-07-20 05:36:51 · answer #11 · answered by B D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋