Do theists generally worry about how to explain the existence of their god, or just shy away from the issue?

Question

It seems perplexing to me that someone would be so keen to explain the origin of the universe that they invoke a god as its creator, but then have no interest at all in accounting for the existence of that god. Where is the explanatory value of this idea?

nondescript: Mmm, I suppose you have a valid point, but surely people must think about this stuff SOMEtime...

dogsneeze: If something is necessary, why does it have to be a being? That is never explained.

Answer 1

Yes this is the key problem. But if you ignore the problem under the cloak of "we can't understand it" that doesn't make the problem disappear.

The problem with this entire issue is one of complexity. How complex is this god. If god were extremely simple his existence would not be such an issue. But the usual definition of god entails infinite complexity.

The more complex a context free system the smaller its likelihood. If a system has only 1 bit it's likelihood is 1/2 which one could argue would be within the realm of plausible chance. I the system is 10 bits then the odds diminish to 1 in 1024 still reasonable through pure chance. But to claim a god of infinite complexity with no exterior context is simply impossibly unlikely.

The only reasonable solution to me is that what is ultimately (context free ) necessary must be extremely simple perhaps even tautological ( zero complexity ). Certainly not a god.

Answer 2

Why do so many theists think that atheists are so concerned with their beliefs. We are not. I have never 'demanded' any kind of proof from a believer and having spent a lot of time here I have have rarely seen real atheists demanding anything.

The point is we are unlikely to demand something which is impossible to produce. Proof of god for example. Theists on the other hand base their entire belief systems on impossible things so naturally get extremely bent out of shape when questioned.

Non believers do have a much better grasp on the concept of debate. Theists see any debate as an attack and because of this are fundamentally incapable of rational thinking. If they were capable, there would be far fewer of them.

You cannot use a book of ancient stories as the basis for a rational debate.

Answer 3

No, a christian (I cannot speak for other theists) does not worry about how to explain the existence of God, nor does he "shy away" from the issue. If you are a christian who believes the bible then you believe in the God who described himself in the bible. He describes himself as "the beginning and the end". All knowing, all powerful, loving, sovereign, and just. Before all, in all, through all. Apart from Him there is nothing. So, if you are working from a Christian world view, how would you "explain" such a thing? If man with his limited knowledge could really explain God, wouldn't he actually be worshipping a man like himself? Or, I guess, the man himself would be a god?

Answer 4

Christianity was considered a cult in ancient Rome. When the emperor Constantine ruled at the fall of Rome, he altered the scriptures and changed allegiance by torture and death when he appointed what is known as the crusades. Next, the Spanish inquisition. Both of these atrocities of torture and death were fear tactics and political in nature, because back in time, church ruled the state. Constantine abolished the Jewish calender which is more accurate than our current calender, which has to make up a leap year every four years in order to catch up. The BC and AD were political ploys to base life around the Empires new found Christianity as an effort to control western rule. This is partly why an eastern desert religion has become westernized.

Answer 5

Many atheists object to the belief that the universe is contingent on a necessary being who can not not be, this being we call God. Instead they insist that if God can be eternal and have no beginning, then why not the universe? This is an intelligent and reasonable question, I generally rely upon St. Thomas Aquinas' "Quinquae Viae", Five Ways for proving the existence of God.

The first argument is generally suitable enough to refute atheism. Aquinas beings by stating that some things are in motion. No being is capable of putting itself in motion, but rather it must be moved by another being. Just as a pot of cold water can not heat itself spontaneously, it must be heated by an external force. For each motion there is a series of movers, who each move one another, regressing into the past. In the universe an infinite regress is impossible however. For if there were an infinite regress, there would be no definitive beginning, consequently there would be no first move. This would negate the existence of the universe. Therefore we come to the conclusion that there must be an original unmoved mover to set all other movers in motion, this being we call God.

It is impossible to have a physical infinity, that is not to negate the existence of the concept of infinity, for it is very much real in the realm of mathematics. Allow me to illustrate the absurdity of a physical infinity, relying on the Library analogy. Imagine a library which has an infinity of books. Suppose that each book is numbered from 1 to infinity, this would imply that there are no other possible numbers, and consequently there could be no other possible books. However, it is evident that we could simply take one page from the first one hundred books, staple the pages together, and allot it a number, having created a new impossible book.

Secondly, imagine we were to loan out these books. Imagine that we loaned out every odd book in the library. This is an infinity of book. According to the law of mathematics, even though we have loaned out an infinity of books to the general public, the library maintains the same amount of books. This evident loss illustrates the physical impossibility of infinity.

God, unlike the universe is immaterial, not bound to the constraints of physical reality. because of his immateriality he is capable of having a boundless infinite and eternal existence.

-Kerplunk!

Answer 6

I didn't believe in Jesus because of a great fact finding search and everything came up thumbs up, (although the inerrant Bible can face the most intense scrutiny and win every time) I believe in Jesus because I repented my sins as exposed by the Bible, believed that Jesus' blood paid the price and the Holy Spirit now lives in me, I can't deny it, I'd first die.

If you listen to how naturalists explain the origin of the world, it's a non-explanation. The universe just "is", it didn't ever "begin". Physician heal thyself, atheists do not have an explanation for the universe (since the big bang supports that the world did begin at one time).


"Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' 'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' "
Luke 16:28-31

There is no further sign of revelation or proof for the world. There are only those who read the gospel and, because they are Jesus' sheep, they recognize his voice (John 10:4), know it's truth, then repent and believe.

Answer 7

There is no way to either prove or disprove the existance of God. Maybe through thousands of answers it could be partially explained, but then, if a person does not want to be open to other views, it is still futile.

Answer 8

I dont shy away from the issue and try to answer any question regarding creation in my beliefs. I believe God created the universe but I believe it happened through a scientific process just like everything else in the world. I dont try to deny scientific theories through blind faith in my religion. My religion tells me to explore the world and gain knowledge so thats what I try to do. Science is not something to be afraid of.

Answer 9

I keep an open mind. Something is there. I think perhaps that 'She', just wants us to earn our way.
Atheists may become the ultimate devotes since they are so earnest! Athiests have integrity. Hmmmmmm. Big smile.
The best parent is the one that emulates no gender role at all, only a heart of gold and the mastery of unconditional love.
So I believe.

The force be with you...

Answer 10

They worry how to explain the existence of their god. They always use analogies to prove themselves correct. Can't they use straight logic? Why do they have to beat around the bush? I could say the following: "Just like it OK to ride a dangerous roller coaster, I can take a similar risk and drive 90 mph on a surface street." They are geniuses, after all.