Freethought & Rationalism Archive

SteveD · 07-19-2002, 07:58 PM

I'm curious as to what the people on this forum think is the strongest argument for the existence of god that you have encountered. I realize that most of you don't think any argument is convincing or you wouldn't be atheists.

But, is there any argument that at least made you think about it a bit?

Steve

[ July 19, 2002: Message edited by: SteveD ]

Philosoft · 07-19-2002, 08:50 PM

Deism.

Automaton · 07-19-2002, 09:31 PM

Even though it begs the question, the anthropic argument.

Troma · 07-19-2002, 10:05 PM

The most compelling reason Isn't so much an argument. What I still find compelling is how so many people can still believe in something like a god when there is nothing substantial to support it. I know that may seem lame, but it still makes me wonder from time to time.

MadMordigan · 07-20-2002, 01:55 AM

The Argument from Personal Experience.

Were a god/goddess to speak to me from a burning bush, or challenge me to a wrestling match, or turn snakes into sticks, or part the ocean, or seduce me, I'd believe that entity existed.

Theli · 07-20-2002, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Philosoft:
Deism.

I never understood Deism.
Is a deist a person who only believes in a designer god, but has no additional attributes to that god?

And, what is the difference between deism and pantheism?

Theli · 07-20-2002, 02:42 AM

I have noticed that the strongest arguments are usually those that doesn't point directly at the christian god, but can be applied to just about anything.
And by "strongest", I mean those that causes the largest discussion.

Here's an example you might remember.

P1 - If something exist, god exist.
P2 - Something exist.
C - God exist.

This argument created a huge discussion, much larger than a dumb argument like this merits.
The main reason for this was that the person who defended this "proof" (as he called it) refused to respond to any post that pointed out the obvious idiocy of this argument.

[ July 20, 2002: Message edited by: Theli ]

Automaton · 07-20-2002, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Were a god/goddess to speak to me from a burning bush, or challenge me to a wrestling match, or turn snakes into sticks, or part the ocean, or seduce me, I'd believe that entity existed.

I'd believe I should up my medication.

Automaton · 07-20-2002, 03:49 AM

The "defender" was merely a troll, uninterested in any sort of actual discussion, and unconcerned that an argument must be sound as well as valid, that the premises must be supported in order for it to be sound, and that using the same "logic" leads to absurd conclusions. I seriously doubt his post would have caused any atheists to throw up their hands and yell "I have seen the light!" and he was most probably either insane, maintaining a sick joke, or was purposefully irritating us for the Greater Good(tm).

Theli · 07-20-2002, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Automaton:
The "defender" was merely a troll, uninterested in any sort of actual discussion, and unconcerned that an argument must be sound as well as valid, that the premises must be supported in order for it to be sound, and that using the same "logic" leads to absurd conclusions. I seriously doubt his post would have caused any atheists to throw up their hands and yell "I have seen the light!" and he was most probably either insane, maintaining a sick joke, or was purposefully irritating us for the Greater Good(tm).

Here's the actual thread I was reffering to:
<a href="http://iidb.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=50&t=000291&p=" target="_blank">A proof that there is a God</a>

[ July 20, 2002: Message edited by: Theli ]

07-19-2002, 07:58 PM	#1
SteveD Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: California Posts: 118	What is the "best" argument for the existence of god I'm curious as to what the people on this forum think is the strongest argument for the existence of god that you have encountered. I realize that most of you don't think any argument is convincing or you wouldn't be atheists. But, is there any argument that at least made you think about it a bit? Steve [ July 19, 2002: Message edited by: SteveD ]</p>

07-20-2002, 02:42 AM	#7
Theli Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sweden Posts: 2,567	I have noticed that the strongest arguments are usually those that doesn't point directly at the christian god, but can be applied to just about anything. And by "strongest", I mean those that causes the largest discussion. Here's an example you might remember. P1 - If something exist, god exist. P2 - Something exist. C - God exist. This argument created a huge discussion, much larger than a dumb argument like this merits. The main reason for this was that the person who defended this "proof" (as he called it) refused to respond to any post that pointed out the obvious idiocy of this argument. [ July 20, 2002: Message edited by: Theli ]</p>

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07-19-2002, 08:50 PM	#2
Philosoft Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Southeast of disorder Posts: 6,829	Deism.

07-19-2002, 09:31 PM	#3
Automaton Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 717	Even though it begs the question, the anthropic argument.

07-19-2002, 10:05 PM	#4
Troma Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: USA Posts: 24	The most compelling reason Isn't so much an argument. What I still find compelling is how so many people can still believe in something like a god when there is nothing substantial to support it. I know that may seem lame, but it still makes me wonder from time to time.

07-20-2002, 01:55 AM	#5
MadMordigan Beloved Deceased Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Vancouver BC Canada Posts: 2,704	The Argument from Personal Experience. Were a god/goddess to speak to me from a burning bush, or challenge me to a wrestling match, or turn snakes into sticks, or part the ocean, or seduce me, I'd believe that entity existed.

07-20-2002, 03:49 AM	#9
Automaton Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 717	The "defender" was merely a troll, uninterested in any sort of actual discussion, and unconcerned that an argument must be sound as well as valid, that the premises must be supported in order for it to be sound, and that using the same "logic" leads to absurd conclusions. I seriously doubt his post would have caused any atheists to throw up their hands and yell "I have seen the light!" and he was most probably either insane, maintaining a sick joke, or was purposefully irritating us for the Greater Good(tm).

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