Assignment – The Existence of God
Atheist Position
Atheists hold that God does not exist. According to them, there is too much suffering in this world that cannot reconcile with the Christians’ traditional view of God as omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent (Singer & Hare 170). They argue that an all-powerful God would not allow such a massive scale of suffering to happen in the contemporary world. The theist argues that today’s suffering is due to the free will of human beings. However, atheists say that free will does not account for all the suffering in the world with issues like flooding, drought, and fires resulting from human free will (Singer & Hare 171). Atheists also deny the attribution of the suffering to the sins of the first parents Adam and Eve. They claim that such a concept is immoral, and also it would limit the suffering to humans only as such animals would be free of the suffering, something that is not true in the real world. They are still affected by drought, floods, and fires.
Assignment – The Existence of God
Theist Position
Based on the argument of the principle of cause and effect, the universe must have a reason since, for every material effect, we see there is a cause that came before it, as discussed by Aristotle (Edward 49). The cause of the universe in religious teachings is God, the creator. However, atheists claim the universe occurred from a singularity, probably the Bing bang theory. It popped into existence from nothing being a natural event that behaved supernaturally; therefore, it would not have followed the laws of nature. According to Aristotle, everything in motion is caused by something else. However, it is impossible to have an endless series of moved movers. An unmoved mover must exist who is an efficient cause (Edward 52). The unmoved mover must be an eternal substance that is immaterial, and that causes everlasting motion hence a supreme being who is God.
The truism also backs the concept of Aristotle that a design demands a designer. The universe looks designed with the various aspects of nature; therefore, based on the ideas of big explosion, they don’t bring order or functionally intricate designs into existence (Edwards 34). Hence it proves that the creation of the universe is from a supernatural omnipotent and omniscient designer. Theist argues that the presence and knowledge of God occur naturally in the hearts of every human. The ontological argument gives strong evidence of the existence of a maximally great being (Adams 88). Similarly, the presence of the truth is self-evident as claiming there is no truth is self-refuting. Since the Christian religious doctrines refer to God as the truth, then His existence is evident too.
Assignment – The Existence of God
Morality as a Basis for analyzing the Existence of God
Atheist Position
Morality deals with the principles of right and wrong. Atheists believe that there is the existence of morality without the presence of God. According to atheists, right and wrong are arbitrary (Singer & Hare 172). Meaning they anchor on random personal choice rather than any reason such as the existence of God. Therefore, there is a pre-existing knowledge of what is good or bad independent of God. From the above information, theist argument of something being right because God wills it or being wrong contrary to God’s command is misplaced because right and wrong are not meaningless without God. According to Adam (84), there is a logical conflict in that a perfectly good God would allow horrendous evil to exist, which fuel further proof God does not exist.
Secondly, Christians use reasoning and intelligence on matters of morality. Christians emphasize things not described in the gospel, such as opposition to abortion, homosexuality as distinctively Christian morality (Singer & Hare 173). Atheist observes that Christians do not practice most of the gospel’s teachings, such as the Gospel emphasis on helping the poor. The claim that knowledge of right and wrong is given meaning through the Gospels and epistles in the bible is theoretical. Therefore, such claims that even though right and wrong have a sense in the atheist world, it is because they understand it, but they do not know since they lack the gospel revelation is misguided.
Finally, evolution elaborates on the existence of morality without God. Atheists more favor it as it comes with evidence. The human capacity to think and reason has evolved, leading to more moral consideration (Singer & Hare 176). Similarly, the golden rules that govern morality result from the evolution of ethical discourse with some traditions such as the Confucian holding golden rules, yet they are not religious. Even when you evaluate other social mammals other than human beings, there is an evolution of social behavior forms linking with part of moral principles such as taking care of family members. Additionally, they practice fairness as a moral obligation by rewarding good behavior with good behavior and bad behavior with retribution.
Assignment – The Existence of God
Theist Position
Theists believe that there is no morality without God. They believe that God has uncovered abundant about bad and good to every person for their accountability. God has organized the natural world’s control so that happiness and morality are unvarying (Singer & Hare 178). However, morality is so demanding, with every human need counting equally and morally. Therefore, Sidgwick developed solutions to the concept of utilitarianism principle, which holds that the right action is the one that produces the greatest happiness for the most significant number. The utilitarianism theory anchors on egoism, self-happiness and utilitarian principle, which cares for the majority’s happiness with both concepts conflicting.
According to Sidgwick, the most practical solution to utilitarianism concepts is introducing God since God cares for everyone’s morality and moral lives (Singer & Hare 179). Without the hope of the universe’s governance and in life after death, life is insignificant and not worth living. Theists argue that no one knows or understands God’s reasoning. Therefore, it is incomprehensible but factual that God has reasons for allowing some evils based on morality’s rationality. It then answers the reasons for God allowing suffering in the world that atheists have explored.
Assignment – The Existence of God
Linking the case study to motivation for moral behavior
Atheist Perspective
There are many examples of virtuous people who we can see and relate to, such as Bill Gates and his fight against poverty as such, Jesus is not the only viable inspiration of morality (Singer & Hare 175). Similarly, religious motivation for moral behavior anchors on mortality and the reward or punishment in life after death, which occurs as a self-interest motivation (Singer & Hare 174). Additionally, there are many examples of unethical behavior among religious people.
Theist Perspective
Christians’ inspiration anchors the recognition of value in their moral behavior, which my friend should pursue. Additionally, she should note that from a theist perspective, religious belief has the power to change people’s lives, as she witnessed during her time in prison (Singer & Hare 182). As proved earlier, God’s existence is beyond question, and therefore she should seek universal validation in her actions, which is pleasing God. Based on utilitarianism, a belief is acceptable if it makes people happy and does not inflict self-harm. Notably, Christians promote ethical constraints in exploring ideologies for their moral outcomes (Singer & Hare 184). By acknowledging the conditions in itself, it does not produce the original motivation thus cannot replace Christian teachings.
Assignment – The Existence of God
Conclusion
As Adams acknowledges, much of the discussion in religion’s analytical philosophy has offered a narrow understanding of the problem. When one faces horrendous evil, he or she may question the worth of life and God’s power and goodness. It is the perspective from which atheist question God’s existence and the role of God in morality. Similarly, it is the point at which theists acknowledge the need for universal validity through living in a way that pleases God. It also highlights God’s care for morality and the hope of the universe’s governance and life after death. Use MLA referencing style.
Works Cited
Adams, Marilyn McCord. “Horrendous Evils and the Goodness of God.” Philosophy of Religion 1999, pp. 82–90
Edwards, Rem B. Reason, and religion: an introduction to the philosophy of religion. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2016.
Singer, Peter, and Hare, John. Moral Mammals: Does Atheism or Theism Provide the Best Foundation for Human Worth and Morality? A Place for Truth 2010, pp.169-194.