Why God Is Impossible

Fine-Tuned Universe

I briefly brought up this point while discussing the argument from first cause. In that case, I explained the so-called ‘fine-tuning’ of the universe by saying that a generic cause to the universe, whatever it is, is highly unlikely to stop working, and so would result in a multiverse: multiple universes making it easily likely some would allow for life. 
Some people find a few issues with a multiverse, but they generally seem to hinge on a misunderstanding of what it actually is. 

Personally, I accept the idea of a multiverse. Let’s move past it, though: is it possible to explain the apparent fine-tuning of the universe, in a situation where this is the only universe that exists?

Read More

I’ve noticed I’ve gained a fair few theistic followers lately. Seeing as I very much doubt you’re here because you agree with what I say, this is just a reminder that I’m open to any comments you have on anything I’ve posted. 

Contents here, send in comments here or here. (Anon enabled if you don’t want to come off). 

The Origin of Life

One common argument against atheism is that there’s no way life could have come about without God. In itself, this still isn’t much of an argument: after all, there’s quite a leap from showing ‘God is a possible explanation of the origin of life’ to stating ‘God created life’ as fact. 

The main reason this argument seems to be used by believers is that they can quote many major biologists as saying that we don’t know how life came about. Accepting, for a moment, that we have no clue how life came to exist, why does this automatically point to God? There are literally infinitely possible mechanisms we might not have thought of: why does God take precedence? 

And then, of course, there’s the matter of how quoting biologists in this way is dishonest: it’s not that we don’t have any idea of how life came about, it’s that there are so many possibilities and possible mechanisms, we don’t know which one is the correct answer. Maybe none of them: that still wouldn’t point to God. 

Read More

Free Will

Many religions require some form of free will, the definition usually relying on some variation of 
People are able to control their own actions
Usually to allow for some kind of retributive punishment or judgement, or as a response to the problem of evil. However, this definition is impossible; something that can seem surprising at first, but is fairly simple to demonstrate. 

Read More

God Is Not One Thing

It’s easy to find statements of the form ‘atheists need to accept multiple assertions based on science: theists need only accept one, God, and everything falls into place’. Aside from the validity of science, it can often be used as an attempt to use Occam’s Razor: that theism is simpler than atheism, because it relies on one assumption (‘God’, though assumption is rarely the word used) whereas science is based on multiple axioms. Even ignoring the tried-and-tested nature of science, this approach is flawed. 

Read More

On Personal Experience

By far one of the most common explanations of belief is ‘I have personal experience of God’, taking numerous different forms. 
Some claim to have felt a signal, some say they’ve felt God’s presence. I’ll dwell on God’s presence here, as the other kinds are generally covered by this. 
So, what can we say about God’s presence?

Read More

Divine Command Theory

An attempt to justify atrocities perpetrated or encouraged by a deity in numerous religions. It dwells on part of the definition of God: that it is apparently the pinnacle of goodness, and so when it issues a divine command, that too must be good. 
There are two grounds that this can stand up on, that I can think of, the stronger of the two positions making the title of this ‘theory’ rather questionable. Nonetheless, we’ll examine each of these. 

Read More

Near Death Experiences

Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) are often hailed as evidence of an afterlife: when someone comes so close to death as to appear lifeless for a little time, sometimes they speak of viewing some kind of world beyond death. 
This could indeed be heavily convincing evidence, if that was the only side there was to look at. We will however examine the likelihood of an afterlife demonstrated by NDEs, on three grounds:

1. The Role of Expectations
2. Theological Implications
3. Scientific Explanations

None of this would make impossible the viewing of heaven via NDEs, though the second point may raise an issue. It does however make assuming an afterlife as an explanation completely unnecessary. 

Read More

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

On historical sources, and the Bible: whether it counts as a historical source, and what it says in any case. Specific sources brought up; I’ve done quite a bit of research on this topic. Though it was quickly discussed here, it’s a point on which an entire religion can stand or fall: and one of the few arguments that are for Christianity alone. It merits more discussion.
So, in any case, is it reasonable to suppose the resurrection of Jesus Christ occurred?

Read More

Why do you believe?

Can be faith, can be anything. I’m not aiming to criticize with this post, I’m just interested in learning for future reference. For believers in God, why do you believe?

The Unreason of Reason?

I’ve seen some ask atheists why reason is reasonable: which would seem to be a damning question solely because you need to use reason to answer it. The problem is the believers who ask this suffer from a similar question if they ground any traits in God (Why is God good? For example), the answer to most questions like this are essentially ‘because it is’. I won’t deny that. 
It’s an idea best expressed mathematically: first principles. In mathematics, there’s hardly practical testing as there is in science; it all comes from the basic idea of, say, 1+1=2. Add a few other definitions for other areas (such as how to find a gradient), and almost all of mathematics falls into place: even things like Euler’s Identity. 
Yes, this required reason to determine: but that’s not as circular as it sounds, as for pretty much everything, the basic ideas of logic and reason are the first principles. 

Though I dislike using it, this is one of the times Occam’s Razor is key: make as few assumptions as possible.
You’ve probably noticed however that I haven’t yet shown reason to be reasonable. That comes in a moment. 

Read More

Heaven: Justification.

A while ago, I made this post. Rereading it, I’ve realized I did little to explain myself. I’ll just quickly remedy that here. 

In essence: will any human go to heaven?
The answer is, essentially, no.

Read More

Universal Significance

This point is relevant to so much, even beyond religion. There are a few things which, almost invariably, will mean something. Examples in religion include prophecy, ‘Bible Code’, and all kinds of answered prayers. 
The point is, nearly all the time, similar things will be seen to have the same kind of meaning, regardless. That probably doesn’t make much sense. 

Take numbers, for one example. Perhaps numerology, perhaps the idea that the Bible having 66 books makes it satanic: whatever the case, looking at the kind of charts used to read significance into numbers, every number has some meaning. Every single one. All the seemingly impressive meanings read into something, no matter what the number is, there’ll be another meaning, no doubt with some other justifiable relevance. 

Read More

Die For A Lie

The basis of this argument for God is that the founding figures of a religion died for their beliefs: when, if they were the inventors of that religion, they’d know it to be false. 
Commonly used in defence of Jesus’ resurrection: but really, only Mormons should use it. Looking at the LDS Church, the founders were killed for creating the Mormon religion: surely they would have recanted had they thought it to be a fiction?
If a non-Mormon uses the argument, then they need to provide a reason why their own argument doesn’t convince them of the truth of the LDS Church. 

In any case, the argument falls because of the quantity of assumptions made. 

Read More