Any theists here care to give an argument against atheism . . .?

Question

That actually addresses the idea of the existance of God rather than attacking evolution or communism or selfishness or some other idea that you associate with atheism?

I'm wondering, since most I see from Christians about atheism is some claim like 'atheists have no hope' or 'atheists refuse to see God' or some other such bunk.

Can anyone give a good argument as to why you think atheism --the lack of belief in God(s)--is wrong?

Comments from atheists welcome too :)

JerseyRick--
I figure. It would only prove my point.
And then I'll just let it go :)

What do you say to the atheistic followers of Ann Rand (spelling?) who's followers are strictly Capitalist?
If you don't know what I mean, google 'Objectivism'

STEPHEN J--
I'm not redefining anything. That is what atheism is. Lack of belief in god(s).

As for your other argument--saying that the followers of Jesus couldn't have been lying about seeing him risen from the dead--
Well, I find it a *whole lot* more likely that men were lying or deluded then that someone rose from the dead.
Extraordinary claims require extraorinary evidence. Just the words of a group of followers that claim it happened doesn't cut it.

Answer 1

Here is what the philospher and saint Thomas Aquinas said on determining the existence of God by pure logic and reason:

I answer that, The existence of God can be proved in five ways.

The first and more manifest way is the argument from motion. It is certain, and evident to our senses, that in the world some things are in motion. Now whatever is in motion is put in motion by another, for nothing can be in motion except it is in potentiality to that towards which it is in motion; whereas a thing moves inasmuch as it is in act. For motion is nothing else than the reduction of something from potentiality to actuality. But nothing can be reduced from potentiality to actuality, except by something in a state of actuality. Thus that which is actually hot, as fire, makes wood, which is potentially hot, to be actually hot, and thereby moves and changes it. Now it is not possible that the same thing should be at once in actuality and potentiality in the same respect, but only in different respects. For what is actually hot cannot simultaneously be potentially hot; but it is simultaneously potentially cold. It is therefore impossible that in the same respect and in the same way a thing should be both mover and moved, i.e. that it should move itself. Therefore, whatever is in motion must be put in motion by another. If that by which it is put in motion be itself put in motion, then this also must needs be put in motion by another, and that by another again. But this cannot go on to infinity, because then there would be no first mover, and, consequently, no other mover; seeing that subsequent movers move only inasmuch as they are put in motion by the first mover; as the staff moves only because it is put in motion by the hand. Therefore it is necessary to arrive at a first mover, put in motion by no other; and this everyone understands to be God.

The second way is from the nature of the efficient cause. In the world of sense we find there is an order of efficient causes. There is no case known (neither is it, indeed, possible) in which a thing is found to be the efficient cause of itself; for so it would be prior to itself, which is impossible. Now in efficient causes it is not possible to go on to infinity, because in all efficient causes following in order, the first is the cause of the intermediate cause, and the intermediate is the cause of the ultimate cause, whether the intermediate cause be several, or only one. Now to take away the cause is to take away the effect. Therefore, if there be no first cause among efficient causes, there will be no ultimate, nor any intermediate cause. But if in efficient causes it is possible to go on to infinity, there will be no first efficient cause, neither will there be an ultimate effect, nor any intermediate efficient causes; all of which is plainly false. Therefore it is necessary to admit a first efficient cause, to which everyone gives the name of God.

The third way is taken from possibility and necessity, and runs thus. We find in nature things that are possible to be and not to be, since they are found to be generated, and to corrupt, and consequently, they are possible to be and not to be. But it is impossible for these always to exist, for that which is possible not to be at some time is not. Therefore, if everything is possible not to be, then at one time there could have been nothing in existence. Now if this were true, even now there would be nothing in existence, because that which does not exist only begins to exist by something already existing. Therefore, if at one time nothing was in existence, it would have been impossible for anything to have begun to exist; and thus even now nothing would be in existence--which is absurd. Therefore, not all beings are merely possible, but there must exist something the existence of which is necessary. But every necessary thing either has its necessity caused by another, or not. Now it is impossible to go on to infinity in necessary things which have their necessity caused by another, as has been already proved in regard to efficient causes. Therefore we cannot but postulate the existence of some being having of itself its own necessity, and not receiving it from another, but rather causing in others their necessity. This all men speak of as God.

The fourth way is taken from the gradation to be found in things. Among beings there are some more and some less good, true, noble and the like. But "more" and "less" are predicated of different things, according as they resemble in their different ways something which is the maximum, as a thing is said to be hotter according as it more nearly resembles that which is hottest; so that there is something which is truest, something best, something noblest and, consequently, something which is uttermost being; for those things that are greatest in truth are greatest in being, as it is written in Metaph. ii. Now the maximum in any genus is the cause of all in that genus; as fire, which is the maximum heat, is the cause of all hot things. Therefore there must also be something which is to all beings the cause of their being, goodness, and every other perfection; and this we call God.

The fifth way is taken from the governance of the world. We see that things which lack intelligence, such as natural bodies, act for an end, and this is evident from their acting always, or nearly always, in the same way, so as to obtain the best result. Hence it is plain that not fortuitously, but designedly, do they achieve their end. Now whatever lacks intelligence cannot move towards an end, unless it be directed by some being endowed with knowledge and intelligence; as the arrow is shot to its mark by the archer. Therefore some intelligent being exists by whom all natural things are directed to their end; and this being we call God.

Answer 2

Worship of a few thing has existed on account that primitive beings have been terrified via their community volcano by way of the Egyptians not information that the Nile floods have been to do with snow soften 1000's of miles away to the Catholic Church and its atrocities interior the middle a while and at present's Muslims living in concern of any dissension approximately what's interior the Quran. faith is in keeping with faith. the religion that we are able to't be right here and not using a purpose and consequently there could desire to be somebody at the back of that purpose. Atheism is in keeping with faith. the religion that we don't desire a divine author yet by some skill this universe got here into being via skill of a physics that we don't understand. the biggest argument against God is a loss of information. Do Christians rather believe each and every thing as depicted interior the Bible. each and every thing all of us be responsive to concerning to the universe, life and all fabric issues around us is that the complicated is outfitted from simplicity. God must be the main complicated 'shape' ever envisaged. How did he start up?

Answer 3

Atheism says God doesn't exist. Prove it. Don't try to redefine atheism to say "it's a lack of belief in God" That's agnosticism. Atheism is the active belief that God doesn't exist. So prove it. Don't use pain, sin separates us from God and we have pain. Prove that God doesn't exist. It's impossible, the only way to do it is to know all of time and space, and since no person does, you can't prove God doesn't exist. So atheism is illogical.

Also, the Bible says God exists (actually, it's considered so obvious it just assumes we know). The apostle Paul, who had no reason to become a Christian (since He killed them) became one. Why? What happened on that road that changed his mind if it wasn't Jesus appearing to him? He didn't go insane, his writings are too wise and coherent, so what was it?

Prove Jesus' didn't rise from the dead. Why did the disciples, who would've known the truth, lie about it? They were killed for believing it, why would they die for something they knew to be a lie? Why would it spread so much, even though the followers knew they had a good chance of dying for becoming a Christian, they still did, why?

These are a few of the reasons I believe God exists and Jesus rose again. Thus, atheism is wrong.

Answer 4

I use to be an Atheist, so I am qualified to answer this one. When I was 19, I had a coworker nicknamed Flame, an ex biker outlaw asked me into his car to talk. I did and he told me the gospel. I felt very uncomfortable, but I wanted to demonstrate that I had an open mind, so I listened without listening. I just wanted to get out of his car. At the end, he asked me to accept Christ as my Lord and Savior. I had no intention of doing it, but to be nice, I said that I would pray about it and that I might do it later. He then said something that really pricked my heart. He told me that if he was right, I would receive eternal life in Heaven. He then said that if I was right, that if I just did the prayer, I only wasted five minutes of my life. Because I was an intelligent young man who admits that I do not know everything, and since I was not much of a gambler, I did the salvation prayer only as fire insurance, because I did not want to spend eternity of torment in Hell's flames, I still did not believe, but over the next 20 years, God proved to me that He does exist! But I was not sure that He was the God of the Bible until 7 years ago. Because I did not follow Jesus, my life turned upside down. I became addicted to everything. I was weak and powerless. I became a homeless bum. I suffered depression and lost my home and family because of my selfishness. I was only living for my next high. I began living at a crack house in Milwaukee. A couple of years later I began to attend a Pentecostal Church because I had no where else to go. I was lonely and bored inbetween highs. All my girlfriends were unfaithful to me so I thought that I could find a better one here. I did not find any, but I found something better, I found the Holy Ghost! I received the Baptism on Jan 17, 1999 and He entered my body on Jan 21, 1999. He filled me with all hope, peace, and joy! He delivered me of my depression and all of my addictions the next day as if I never done them! The next day, God brought me a good wife and we were married 3 months later. I now have a wonderful marriage and a wonderful relationship with God. God and I have become one and I am never alone! My life has never been better! I never thought that anyone could hear God's voice, but I do. I would have thought that they were crazy! But you too can begin to have a life that is rewarding, full of love and joy, with a purpose. With no doubts, fears, and regrets. Just receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior today! What do you have to lose? Why forfet eternal life in Heaven for trusting in your own head knowledge. Turn from your sins and run into the arms of a Loving and Forgiving God who loved you so much that he gave himself for you! What other logical decision can one make. Waste five minutes of your life. I promise you that it is the best thing that you can do!

Answer 5

First of all, there's absolutely nothing wrong with associating communism with atheism.

Atheism has always been communism's official religion -- and the communists have enforced this "state religion" by putting people who don't believe in it in prison and killing them.

Communism is undeniably the most vicious, murderous institution that's ever existed on this planet -- and its lack of God is the biggest reason for that!

So, sorry, but when your "religion" is adopted by a political system that has murdered 150 million people in the last century, people are naturally going to associate the two. And rightly so.

Second, I know for a fact that God is real. I don't "believe" it. I know it.

I know He's real, because I have been in some situations in life that, logically speaking, I had absolutely NO business getting out of.

Yet every time I've prayed to God and asked Him to be with me -- and every time I've asked Jesus' mother Mary to pray for me in a true hour of need -- I have NEVER been let down.

Not once. Not even in logically hopeless situations.

I don't "think" that atheists are wrong for not acknowledging that God exists -- I KNOW they are wrong.

Answer 6

I supose that there actualy are some "atheists" but most are in truth agnostics... I am of The Christian Faith and, of course, I Know God IS. There is no "argument" that will confince anyone that God exists. If all that is accepted as valid is logic, as most "atheists" demand, then it is pointless to even try to convince them. The "logic" of man is extreamly limited. God is not limited by man's "logic". Also, each individual must come to a point of understanding, within themself, that they need God. Untill the need for God is recognised internaly, no external evidence is adiquate.

I accept email questions concerning the basics of The Christian Faith. Any honest seeker is welcome to contact me.

Answer 7

Why is anything wrong?

work on that question for a while... and you'll come to figure out that either nothing is wrong, or we know that something is wrong because there is a "right" opposing it. No moral law without a moral law giver (god).

Answer 8

Good luck with this.

You'll get 2 or 3 decent answers and the rest will be insulting and demeaning to us atheists.

Answer 9

I did that the other day.

The truth table for "p implies q" is:

p.....q......p-->q
T.....T.....T
T.....F.....F
F.....T ....T
F.....F.....T

Given that:
p = There is evidence that God exists.
q= God exists

and:

p --> q is true.

I.e. Evidence of God's existence implies God exists.

p is either T or F.

If p is T and p-->q is true, then q must be true. Hence theism.

If p is F and p-->q is true, then q is indeterminate. Hence agnosticism.

There's no room left for atheism (a.k.a. strong atheism).

Answer 10

I don't think athiesm is wrong. it is just not the way I believe - I am perfectly happy to agree to disagree

Answer 11

Because you get flamed from so many Christians. I mean, come on, it has to get annoying, right?