The existence of God can be proven in five ways (by St Thomas Aquinas, in his "Summa Theologia"):
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.
http://www.newadvent.org/summa/1002.htm#3
2007-11-04 22:32:37
·
answer #1
·
answered by Swiss Guard 2
·
0⤊
2⤋
At the beginning of the world was the kingdom of the deities where there was no death and people could live up to 150 years the least. Not only that but there was no name or trace of sorrow or death except total and complete happiness, peace and prosperity.
This kingdom of the deities otherwise called Heaven lasted for 2500 years and like the day, it has come and gone and the good news is that it is coming back again after the night.
Sadly enough, this period of the deities and therefore of eternal life is not known to humanity and that the scriptures date back to the second half of the history and geography of the world with the founders of the various religions starting with Islam by Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim).
Presently, we are in the second half of the 5000 year cycle and this is where there is nothing but sorrow, death and peacelessness. Added to this is the fact that humanity is battling with the five vices of lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego to the extent that we have become more of thorns in the jungle pricking one another and stumbling in the dark in search of God and peace. Now as a proof of the existence of eternal life, it is said in the bible that heaven existed 3000 years before christ was born and it is 2000 years since his exit which confirms the 5000 world drama cycle.
Presently, one major thing in the world that we are all afraid of is death. The fear of death continues to haunt us like a plaque and yet despite the significant improvements is science death is just ahead of us.
Contrary, in heaven one knows when death is coming so one prepares for it. It is not sudden like a thief in the night and the process is akin to a snake shedding its old and dirty skin for a new one so it is always a welcome one.
For one to live in peace, properity, harmony and happiness for 2500 years without any trace of death of or sorrow is what is called eternal life. Perhaps, it is important to note that heaven is on this earth and not up above in the skies and that eternal life like liberation-in-life should be experienced in the body while on earth and not in the spirit which is bodiless and therefore cannot enjoy the pleasures of life after death.
2007-11-04 23:42:49
·
answer #2
·
answered by ebenjosiah 5
·
0⤊
0⤋
Aren't virus and bacteria, single celled entities more or less living eternally?
All the copies are more or less the same, so that there are trillion copies of the same entity repeatedly reproducing itself forever. That it occasionally may have a small change in its internal machinery is no different than other living entities adjusting to their environments?!
2007-11-05 00:16:49
·
answer #3
·
answered by Fuzzy 7
·
0⤊
0⤋
Physicists says energy can not be created or destroyed. And we do not know how to create life from nonliving things. It is beyond our comprehension. We are not even sure what it is. But if science is correct, it is eternal.
2007-11-04 23:06:55
·
answer #4
·
answered by mecasa 4
·
0⤊
0⤋
No, but it is something we are all aware of.
God has put eternity in the hearts of men Ecclesiastes 3:11
2007-11-04 22:33:01
·
answer #5
·
answered by Don 5
·
1⤊
1⤋
The only proof we have is in the Bible. You either believe it to be truth or you don't. I for one believe it to be truth and I will have eternal by believing in the name of Jesus.
2007-11-05 00:01:22
·
answer #6
·
answered by B"Quotes 6
·
0⤊
0⤋
Nope
2007-11-04 22:29:35
·
answer #7
·
answered by Seán 4
·
2⤊
1⤋
um, the fact that energy cannot be created or destroyed, I guess thats a good place to start, though it doesn't really prove that you will remember anything once you are dead.
2007-11-04 22:43:39
·
answer #8
·
answered by GEISHA 3
·
1⤊
1⤋
Not unless you have faith- can you prove to me that it doesn't exist?
2007-11-04 22:34:02
·
answer #9
·
answered by michelle 6
·
1⤊
1⤋
Nope. It is faith. You got to have the faith that Jesus Christ was telling the truth.
2007-11-04 22:34:14
·
answer #10
·
answered by jreesetwu14 1
·
1⤊
2⤋
No, until you start to believe the Word of God ( the Bible )is true.
2007-11-04 22:28:43
·
answer #11
·
answered by Nina, BaC 7
·
2⤊
3⤋