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Chapter One showed us that if there is a God, we cannot be certain
about his nature. Chapter Two confirmed that the Jewish / Christian /
Muslim versions of God are impossible and other versions appear
irrelevant. This chapter looks at the question: do we need God to
explain the existence of the universe or our presence on this Earth?
1. Ignoring the physical evidence, we start with the philosophical question,
does the universe prove the existence of God? We conclude no; it is more likely that the universe exists without God than with him.
Section 1
2. Probability is not proof, however, so we examine the cosmological evidence.
Although the universe appears to have been created, it is possible that the universe exists alone.
Section 2
3. Creationism claims that the Bible proves that God created the universe, but its methods are unreliable
(it spurns science and relies on rationalisation not reason) and its basic text is muddled and contradictory.
Section 3
4. Intelligent design (ID) is based on the idea that some organisms are too complex to have evolved without a
supranatural designer, but every example it puts forward proves evolution rather than ID.
Section 4
5. Evolution, supported by evidence from geology and biology, offers the most credible explanation for the origins of life on Earth. Unexplained phenomena in evolution are not proof that evolution is false, only that further research is needed.
Section 5
Points 1, 2 and 5 (philosophy, cosmology and evolution) confirm
that the idea of God is
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Explaining the Universe
Jews, Christians and Muslims insist that God created the
universe. In both philosophical and practical terms, however,
that theory turns out to be unsustainable.
3.1: God the Created?
Where did God come from?
3.2: The balanced universe
Improbable is not impossible
3.3: Creationism
Holes in Noah's Ark
3.4: Intelligent design
False assumptions and faulty reasoning
3.5: Evolution
Reproduction, mutation and environment
3.6: Summary
Finished this chapter? Move on to
Chapter 4
Why people believe
If God does not exist, why do so many people believe in him?
There are many reasons, from the strength of community to fear
of death.
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unnecessary - he is not needed to explain the existence of either the universe or life on this planet. Points 3 and 4 (creationism and intelligent design) insist that God exist, but their arguments are unsustainable.
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explanation
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starting point
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research base
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use of science
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creationism
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God created the universe
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the Bible
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sporadic
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intelligent design
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some lifeforms
appear complex
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specific lifeforms
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sporadic
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evolution
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the origins of all life and lifeforms
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all geology, fossils, biology, DNA
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at all times
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explanation
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strengths |
weaknesses
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credible?
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creationism
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??????
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dependent on
inadequate and contradictory knowledge base;
uses rationalisation not reasoning;
key points unexplained
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only to those who do not understand science
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intelligent design
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??????
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depends on preconceived notions of complexity; continually revising knowledge base
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only to those who place boundaries around science
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evolution
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explains all lifeforms; is capable of prediction and revision
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several key areas remain to be explained
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yes
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Creationism is a mountain of rationalisation and fudged science teetering precariously on the base of a few hundred words of contradictory and muddled text written over two thousand years ago. Intelligent design is the illogical claim that lack of knowledge is proof of God. Both explanations for the origins of life are inherently flawed.
In contrast, evolution is an extensive body of evidence grounded in science capable of independent proof and modification as new evidence appears.
As for God? Philosophy suggests universe-no-God is more likely than universe-God. The Bible itself demonstrates, through its many contradictions, uncertainties and gaps in information both that it cannot be the basis of serious science and that the Jewish-Christian deity does not exist. At first glance, the evidence for ID appears more solid, but on examination all such evidence fades away and with it vanishes the hypothetical designer. And finally science, through cosmology and evolution, confirms that God is redundant.
We have come to the end of our search. We have looked everywhere for the deity and found only illusion and deception. We can safely conclude that God does not exist - nor does Satan or heaven or hell or any other aspect of the supernatural. It is time to move on and ask ourselves: despite the evidence, why do so many people still believe in him? And what would life be like in a world without God?
Next
Chapter Four: Why people believe
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If God existed, he would...
admire the beauty of a universe that he did not create
recognize that eternity is meaningless
deny both heaven and hell
disown all men and women who speak in his name
denounce the harm caused by religious "morality"
help the human race to thrive without him
If God existed, he would be an atheist.
What is the difference between science and faith?
science is certain of nothing and requires proof of everything
faith is certain of everything and requires proof of nothing
Which do you trust?
"I know there is no God"
or
"I believe there is no God"
???
Check the answer
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