Why I Rejected Christianity Review: Atheism Part 3
Tonight, we’re going to look at Loftus’s reasons for atheism that he gives. I’ve already given my reason why I don’t think the universe is ambiguous. Apparently, Loftus does think it is though and somehow thinks it should be properly interpreted in an atheistic way. We’re mainly going to look though to see if there is any reason given for atheism.
Loftus begins by telling us how chance events can produce order and we know this.
It’s news to me….
Some example would have been nice….
He quotes Pascal talking about looking at the world of nature and seeing obscurity and how nature offers nothing but matter for doubt. Loftus tells us that it cannot be figured out with reason and initially, it can’t. Loftus tells us that the best we can say is that random chance events can’t be figured out in hindsight. Loftus accepts that nature is ultimate and the universe is just a brute fact.
Then he comes out and says “I am an atheist. There is no God.” Please take note people. This is phrasing the negative in an absolute. This isn’t the weak atheism that is just trying to say “I have no God belief.” This is the clear affirmation that there is no God. He thinks this he says because the universe is absurd and just can’t be figured out.
How many readers really think this universe is absurd?
It’s puzzling at some times and hard to understand but absurd?
For someone who thinks so much of the laws of science and how we have things figured out, to come out and say the universe is absurd in the end is astounding. If there’s something we don’t understand, it’s not the fault of the universe. It’s our fault for being ignorant. One supposes that Loftus would like to say what he knows based on what he does not know. Quite interesting….
Loftus gives an amusing suggestion that Christians are atheists to all other gods. He just rules out one more. Fair enough. However, we all do this as well. I am a non-believer in all worldviews except my own. I can’t say “I’m not going to believe my worldview.” If I say that, then my new belief actually does become my worldview.
Loftus speaks of his wife Gwen, who is an atheist also, and says her question is, “If God exists, then why doesn’t he show me?”
Pray tell why he should?
It’d be for the greater good for God to just have a grand revealing party? I don’t think so. I think God has good reasons for his supposed hiddenness and I’m looking for the atheist to tell me why God should reveal himself.
And I say supposed hiddenness because I don’t believe he’s hidden himself at all. I tend to agree with Paul. (Hey. I’m a Christian. Agreeing with what you believe to be the words of God is quite easy.) The creation makes the existence of God plain. It’s the brute fact, in fact, that Russell and Loftus both cannot explain, but somehow know God didn’t do it…..
In the end of looking at this chapter, I really see no reason given for atheism. Even if the universe is absurd, it doesn’t rule out the existence of a god. I don’t think the Christian God would work with an absurd universe, but it does not rule out the existence of any god whatsoever. Also, if Loftus really believes this universe is absurd, I urge him to live out that worldview. See how long he can be consistent with it.
I don’t think it will be very long.
Aprpm08 30, 2007 at 10:12 PApr
Crystal formation, evolution, solar system formation, ant colonies, pecking orders… I’d need more time to get a more comprehensive list.
Atheists, ironically enough, don’t have to prove their case. Burden of proof anyone?
He is a strong atheist. It is a position that can be defended. Unlike atheism it isn’t the default. However, you are right- absurd universe doesn’t disprove God. However, there are proofs that he wasn’t bright enough to use- or that you skipped. Basically God is logically impossible.
As for universe is absurd… I’m going to have to disagree. It is random at the bottom, but from its very choas order breeds. With a few simple rules patterns form. And from patterns order and from order comes all that we see.
By the way “Divine Hiddenness is priceless”. Where do people come up with these gems?
Apram08 30, 2007 at 10:12 PApr
Right. And we take those to be random systems because? That’s begging the question in favor of the atheistic worldview.
Atheists don’t have to prove their case? Lovely. An atheist can assert that there is no God and he just gets to sit back and let the theist do all the work. Burden of proof is on whoever makes the claim.
Now I’d like to see strong atheism defended as well as the proof that God is logically impossible.
Divine hiddenness? Oh we get it from the information that we have. What’s so difficult about it?
Apram08 30, 2007 at 10:12 PApr
You just made it so that nothing fits under random self organizing system.
No- a weak atheist doesn’t have to prove their case- a strong atheist does. Burden of proof and all.
Simple. The universe exists. However, God, being all powerful, all knowing and all good would not have created the universe. Therefore God doesn’t exist.
Divine hiddeness makes theism unfalsible. Unfalsibility is a trademark of pseudoscience.
Apram08 30, 2007 at 10:12 PApr
No. I’m just not begging the question that it’s random and self-organizing.
Note also that Loftus is not playing the role of a weak atheist but a strong atheist. Also, because a theist cannot prove the existence of God, it does not mean atheism is true. In an either/or syllogism, one of the two must be negated. Not having evidence for theism, though I believe there is evidence, does not negate theism and prove atheism.
Got a reason why God would not have created the universe?
Tell me this about unfalsibility. Is it unfalsible?