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Author Topic:   Theism
Drew_theist
Inactive Member


Message 1 of 6 (291901)
03-03-2006 5:48 PM


Greetings all,
As my name indicates I am a theist. To make a long story short I believe in theism because I believe the evidence, meager as it may be, favors theism.
For the sake of arguing I subscribe to the following definition of theism:
Main Entry: the”ism
Pronunciation: 'thE-"i-z&m
Function: noun
: belief in the existence of a god or gods; specifically : belief in the existence of one God viewed as the creative source of man and the world who transcends yet is immanent in the world
The word, world can be exchanged with universe and the word man with people.
I offer the existence of the universe and the existence of humans as evidence that the cause was a personal agent. I think there is more evidence to favor the conclusion the existence of these two entities was the result of a transcendent Creator as opposed to (and this is critical) any competing explanation such as mindless forces or the laws of nature or any other competing explanation. It isn’t my contention such alternative explanations are false; I just think there is less evidence and explanatory power in there favor.
In the words of a popular pundit, ”What say you’?

Replies to this message:
 Message 2 by AdminPhat, posted 03-04-2006 11:14 AM Drew_theist has not replied
 Message 4 by AdminModulous, posted 03-04-2006 1:26 PM Drew_theist has replied

AdminPhat
Inactive Member


Message 2 of 6 (292076)
03-04-2006 11:14 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by Drew_theist
03-03-2006 5:48 PM


What say Ye, Theist?
I say "Hi, Drew! Welcome to EvC!
Drew_theist writes:
I believe in theism because I believe the evidence, meager as it may be, favors theism.
OK...you are suggesting that the evidence is "meager"? Why?
Drew writes:
I offer the existence of the universe and the existence of humans as evidence that the cause was a personal agent. I think there is more evidence to favor the conclusion the existence of these two entities was the result of a transcendent Creator as opposed to (and this is critical) any competing explanation such as mindless forces or the laws of nature or any other competing explanation. It isn’t my contention such alternative explanations are false; I just think there is less evidence and explanatory power in there favor.
Do you know the competing arguments? Perhaps giving us a link to a few of them may help. Rework this and get back to me by March 15th.
Any other Admin comments also welcome!


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  • This message is a reply to:
     Message 1 by Drew_theist, posted 03-03-2006 5:48 PM Drew_theist has not replied

    Drew_theist
    Inactive Member


    Message 3 of 6 (292102)
    03-04-2006 12:36 PM


    I'll pass, this is for fun not a job...

    AdminModulous
    Administrator
    Posts: 897
    Joined: 03-02-2006


    Message 4 of 6 (292113)
    03-04-2006 1:26 PM
    Reply to: Message 1 by Drew_theist
    03-03-2006 5:48 PM


    Hi Drew,
    Your post looks interesting, but is a little broad I feel. Experience tells us threads with broad Opening Posts tend to be unfocused and drift all over the place. With that in mind, might I recommend you participate in some already open threads before proposing your own?
    You are right, this *is* meant to be fun, so don't do yourself a disservice and dive in at the deep end! Check out the Social And Religious issues forums, I'm sure your input would be welcome there.
    This message has been edited by AdminModulous, Sat, 04-March-2006 06:27 PM

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    This message is a reply to:
     Message 1 by Drew_theist, posted 03-03-2006 5:48 PM Drew_theist has replied

    Replies to this message:
     Message 5 by Drew_theist, posted 03-06-2006 2:59 PM AdminModulous has not replied
     Message 6 by AdminChristian, posted 03-06-2006 5:22 PM AdminModulous has not replied

    Drew_theist
    Inactive Member


    Message 5 of 6 (292780)
    03-06-2006 2:59 PM
    Reply to: Message 4 by AdminModulous
    03-04-2006 1:26 PM


    Greetings all,
    My argument in favor of theism isn't limited to one aspect that favors belief in a Creator. It is an ensemble of evidence that leads me to conclude we are more likely the result of a creator.
    Such as:
    The fact we find ourselves alive
    The fact there is any universe as opposed to no universe
    The fact we find ourselves in a universe that supports life
    The fact the universe began to exist
    The fact the universe is finely tuned to support life
    The fact that abiogenesis seems an impossibility to have occurred apart from intentional design.
    Lastly the fact there appears to be no competing explanation with as much evidence and explanatory power.
    This thread belongs in a Does God Exist? forum which unfortunately you don't have.
    http://www.challenging-atheism.com/
    This message has been edited by Drew_theist, 03-06-2006 03:00 PM

    This message is a reply to:
     Message 4 by AdminModulous, posted 03-04-2006 1:26 PM AdminModulous has not replied

    AdminChristian
    Inactive Member


    Message 6 of 6 (292807)
    03-06-2006 5:22 PM
    Reply to: Message 4 by AdminModulous
    03-04-2006 1:26 PM


    Why not start a thread called "Does God exist"? You list your evidences and we can put it under "Faith and Belief"
    edit to say this is a general reply to Drew Theist, not a reply to Adminmodulous.
    This message has been edited by AdminChristian, 03-06-2006 05:26 PM

    This message is a reply to:
     Message 4 by AdminModulous, posted 03-04-2006 1:26 PM AdminModulous has not replied

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