Quote:
Originally Posted by Jibninjas
Are you asking me why I would believe it is a being versus some impersonal mindless force like the laws of physics?
No. You said you
cannot be an atheist and that you are
forced to be a theist because the negation of the creator God is so implausible and lacking evidence. It seems to me that the universe was either created or it wasn't - and I see no way to show one or the other right now. But you seem to believe it is almost beyond doubt that the universe was created.
So, for the sake of argument, let's assume that the universe was created. It still seems to me that there is no way to draw any conclusion about what created the universe - being or force or whatever - yet you are solidly in the
being camp.
So now let's assume that the universe was created by a
being. Once again, it seems to me that we can draw no conclusions about the nature or attributes of this being - yet you say that you are forced to be a theist.
Now perhaps I am reading too much into the term. To clarify, when I say atheist, I mean one who lacks belief in God or gods - which could include, but does not require, the belief that no gods exist. For me, deism refers to belief in a creator god, but one that is non-intervening, and has no expectations of worship (though perhaps many would disagree on that point). And theism refers to belief in a creator God that has a personal relationship with those It has created - usually including supreme powers, ongoing intervention in the universe and expectations of worship.
I find no basis to conclude whether or not the universe was created, and if created, whether or not it was created by a being, and if created by a being, whether or not that being is God. Yet you feel so strongly about it that you are forced to that final position, when I cannot even get to the question that leads there. So I am curious, and asked about that belief. I granted that the universe is created, because I see no way to resolve that question, and in any case, it is one more step away from your God - which is the part I am most interested in hearing about.