Where does divine authority come from? Can atheists call upon the authority of the theory of gravity?

Question

Can we say that our books are true and gravity authorizes them by allowing them to fall?

Answer 1

There is no such thing as "divine authority". Atheists do not anthropomorphise, so would not ascribe authority to gravity.

Answer 2

An excellent test. When I wade in the ocean I call upon the laws of gravity and displacement to make my feet sink to the bottom. If any Christians can call upon divine authority to allow them to walk on water as Jesus does (not to mention god and Bruce in Bruce Almighty) then I might be willing to accept that their belief does, indeed, have some divine authority. Until then, I'll match my natural authority against their divine authority without fear.

Answer 3

Which theory of gravity, Newtonian or Einsteinian? There is a difference you know. Neither theory of gravity carries any authority. We can observe the effects of gravity and the theories are the best explanations of how gravity works. It is also possible to make predictions using the theories but there is no authority there at all.

Answer 4

Divine authority can only come from one.

Sure you can call upon whatever you want.

Yes, you can say that, I have seen a lot of absurd things atheists have said.

Answer 5

Sure. Just act like a nutball and turn every scientific theory into a religion.

There! I'm a technologist. I worship the almighty circuit board. Are calling me a liar? Its all right here on my hard drive. Its the word of the machine itself! How DARE you question the almighty Windows Vista- it gave its only begotten control panel for you.

Dude, any more questions like that, and you're going to Recycle Bin!

There. Now I said it.

Answer 6

Easy, just tell people that god spoke to you and that's divine authority.

Answer 7

excellent question!