Ward believes religion to be existential. However, not everyone shares my opinion. Richard Swinburne used the principle of Occam’s razor to illustrate that Aquinas’ Cosmological Argument has value for religious faith. Occam’s razor says that the simplest answer is the best one, and as God is the simplest answer for the first cause, it is the best one. Denys Turner makes the point that Aquinas is misread, he says that Aquinas is just clarifying the existence of God for people who already believe rather than in an attempt to persuade non-believers.
Both types of utilitarianism wanted a secular theory to which everyone could use. This is the main reason as to why utilitarianism is not compatible with religion. Another reason as to why act utilitarianism is not compatible with a religious approach to decision making is that it has the potential to justify any act as long as it generates the most happiness for the greatest number even if the act is very wrong. It reduces morality to simple maths when using the hedonic calculus. It doesn’t value human life as highly as religions, such as Christianity does.
Naturalist do not believe in more than just matter, they look at things as if I cannot see it then it is not there. However, as a Christians, I believe in more and I know our God is out there helping us through our lives. Naturalist look at us as machines that all of our emotions and such are just reactions in our brains, but Christians believe that everything we do is the creation of God. Secular humanist and Christians are so different I use my religion to help stay in line. Secular humanist feel that religion is really a negative thing because it gives you rules to follow therefore you never really follow your deepest desires.
In J.P. Moreland’s, Christianity and the Nature of Science, he discusses some of the basic presuppositions of science and points out how science alone is unable to explain the universe. 3 Therefor, nonbelievers contradict themselves by believing the universe has a natural cause despite the lack of observational evidence to support their theory. Moreland seems to wish for a world in which religion and science can completely understand each other, however it might be a detriment to Christian faith if such were true. The majority of the Bible depicts natural occurring events, however the Christian God is capable of miracles and phenomena that should not be understood further than His all-knowing wisdom and power. Therefor, the Christian response to scientific investigation should be to examine and understand to the extent of
However, an atheist does not have much proof of a non-existence God because they only see it in a scientific perspective. If an agnostic enters the argument, it would question both of the theories about the existence of God because in an agnostic view, they want to proof of everything. But in the end, I feel that an agnostic would support more of the atheist argument. This being because a monotheist is very sure of their belief and on an atheist side, they do not believe in a God but is sure that there is a scientific meaning behind it. 4) The importance of cultural relativism is that it brings the society to pursue their own desires toward their beliefs, values, and behaviors.
In discussion of Pascal’s wager, one issue has been the persuasiveness of Pascal’s argument, as well as the holes in some of his reasoning. On the one hand, Simon Blackburn argues that we know nothing about this “God” we are supposed to believe in, so we do not know whether this is a jealous God who will send people to hell for not believing in Him, or if this “God” is the Christian God that Pascal presents. Blackburn eventually states that regardless of which type of God exists, “a God that punishes belief is just as likely, and a lot more reasonable, than one that punishes disbelief.” On the other hand, Linda Zagzebski contends that Pascal does have a compelling argument, yet his reasoning is flawed. Zagzebski states that it is wrong for people to believe in God because of their self-interest, based around the fact that if they do believe in God and if he does exist, they will be rewarded with infinite gain. Furthermore, Zagzebski employs an intriguing analogy by comparing one who chooses to believe in God just for infinite gain is similar to someone who chooses a mate with a high income, and then tries to love that person.
Most devout Christians would take offense if someone claimed that the story that proves their existence is in fact a myth. A myth is not just some story to the people, but rather a truth. They forget that a story can be false. According to the text Exploring Religion, “Myths are distinguishable from other forms of sacred stories in that they are more fabulous than realistic, more imaginative than factual, and more evocative than analytical” (Schmidt 185). Myths help us to make sense of things, and also give us purpose.
A true analogy of how people sometimes attempt to justify their denial of God's existence or an excuse for why they neither believe nor disbelieve. But the truth of the matter is that, "We are in no position to draw up maps of God's psychology, and prescribe limits to His interests. 2. I am a man/woman of facts. I believe in science and matter not miracles and blind faith!
At least, if someone did, that person never got enough support to make any type of change. Their system of justice came directly from their religion. Therefore, the people had to deal with laws that were rather strict and favored certain members of society more than others. Had the people questioned this system, they could have made a code that was fair to all and not as harsh. Unfortunately, the people of Mesopotamia never challenged their way of thinking and had to deal with the harshness of the Code.
Either you believe science or you have “blind faith” in some religion. Honestly, it all depends on the person. In Matt 4:17 it says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” With this being said repent means, to change your mind. If you never believe or have faith in anything, it’s privilege to get it. Most people say it is up to you to believe whatever, but then again there is believing or knowing the truth in life.