Is the atheistic viewpoint this: the universe just happens to be what it is for no reason?

Question

Rather than: there is a power behind it that makes it what it is? An unobservable reality which is NOT one of the observed facts, but rather, that which makes them, and no mere observation of facts (the scientific method) can find it? Is it possible?

I am reminded of a quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer: "A god who would let us prove he exists would be and idol."

I won't pick a best answer here. There isn't one, really.

At least not that I can determine, not being an atheist. I guess you can just talk amongst yourselves.

Answer 1

The only meaning there is, is what you make it. That´s it! No more.

Answer 2

My unobservable logic about my views regarding the universe, and how it exploded into being, is as observable as any faith in the 'creation' theory.
There is absolutely no proof, for the 'Creation theory.
Science has proven time and time again, that there is at least a good hypothetical theory, concerning the evidence of 'matter, or energy in space.
We get our 'matter and energy, or you don't get your god.
Because nothing, comes from nothing!

You should be asking about this stuff in the Science and space, or whatever, category, not R&S, just to bait atheists.

Answer 3

Here's the problem with your reasoning:

Evolution has allowed the human animal to develop the neocortex. This amazing brain evolution allows, among other things, the ability for us to...contemplate.

Since most of us do not...contemplate...very often ( the process requires mental effort) we confuse misconception and ridiculous assumptions as thinking.

Your position assumes that humankind requires a reason to exist.

It's understandable that since most of us realize that we can contemplate we make the unsupported leap in judgment that there must be reasons for things we witness.

We like answers; we just don't like to actually...think... about what the answers should be.

There is no defensible logic behind the assumption that since our brain allows the ability to contemplate...it follows that there must be a reason for us to assume, by...contemplation.

Life does not need a reason...it is!

Our assumption that life needs a reason just because we can...reason... is mere egocentricism.

Answer 4

Matter and energy can't be created nor destroyed. Energy has infinite life! This concept is hard for the human mind to grasp because our lives are finite and everything we do revolves around beginnings and ends. Movies, stories, roads, measuring sticks, songs, etc all have a beginning and an end. We can't accept that the universe doesn't require a creator because we can't grasp the infinity of being itself.

Example: Ponder the time that passed before your were born. It is infinite. In an infinite amount of time anything is possible, including you!

Answer 5

I don't really need to know a reason to see it for what it is and I don't need to create myths for an explanation synthesis either ....why can't people deal with what there is first and then move on to explore what they may never know anyway .
It akin to passing up an oasis in the desert while dying of thirst because there might be an ocean too far away.

Answer 6

Pretty much. There doesn't have to be a REASON for everything. Some people think rainbows are pretty little miracles because God is happy, but no, it's simply light reflecting off water. Get over it, and make your OWN reason for life, etc. Does it really need to be regulated by some "higer being?"

Answer 7

Its The Universe of course it has no purpose! The Earth has no purpose. It is the Earth. It is a ball of rock orbiting a star.

We are on it sure, but the Earth is a ball of rock, our existence is irrelevant to it.

I think sometimes things are actually too simple for believers to understand.

Answer 8

I was not able to follow your "rather than" example.

But may I ask a question?...Is the Theist's viewpoint that God just happens to be what it is for no reason?

Answer 9

There's no intellectual superiority to be gained by sticking an inscrutable buffer between yourself and the unknown.

The mechanics of "how" are constantly being refined. "Why" is purely a human construct.

Answer 10

The observation you speak of happens to be the laws of physics, quantum physics and atomic bonding of particulate matter. Quite observed and quite presentable.

Answer 11

Sure, the second part of your question is "possible". But why can't the universe be what it is for no reason? Why not faith in chaos? It makes as much sense, if not more, than the alternative.