What are the odds of God existing?

I said in another thread: So according to my scheme, there is a 50/50 chance that God exists.Another poster said: I would really like to see this scheme layed out (perhaps in a new thread?)So here it is:There are 2, and only 2, possibilities for the origin of the universe:1. it was created by an eternal Being
2. The universe has always existed in some formAll other possibilites can be reduced to these two. A Pagan-style God, for example, a God that arose from nature, would reduce to option #2. Such a God would be logically unnecessary. It we say that perhaps the universe came into existence as a result of some other universe, that also reduces to #2. The options are Nature (an eternal thing) or a god (an eternal being).Now, if all we consider is the fact of creation (rather than the nature of that creation--problematical to say the least), there is no reason to choose either option 1 or option 2. We might as well flip a coin. The odds are 50/50.Faith and belief forum, perhaps.
This message has been edited by robinrohan, 04-26-2006 08:08 PMThis message has been edited by robinrohan, 04-26-2006 08:10 PMThis message has been edited by robinrohan, 04-27-2006 12:32 PM

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God does not "exist."---Paul Tillich, Christian theologian

Nothing can come from nothing--if we mean literally nothing.

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God does not "exist."---Paul Tillich, Christian theologian

No, it has nothing to do with some particular religion, although it might have something to do with what sort of God is possible. Option #1 pins it down to an "eternal being." That's a start.

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God does not "exist."---Paul Tillich, Christian theologian

"Eternal"--that which has existed forever. If it had not existed forever, it would have arisen from nature--revert to option #2. Such a possibility would revert to option #2.The point is that there had to be something or some being always around. Something cannot come from nothing. We have something, so there always had to be something or other. There's two entities it could be, a being or a thing.This message has been edited by robinrohan, 04-28-2006 07:02 AMThis message has been edited by robinrohan, 04-28-2006 07:03 AM

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God does not "exist."---Paul Tillich, Christian theologian

No, there's a difference. There are other factors we can consider in regard to your chances of death (your health, etc.). But if we consider the fact of creation only, there are no other factors to consider.

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God does not "exist."---Paul Tillich, Christian theologian

If by "infinite," you mean "eternal," then "temporally infinite" is a contradiction in terms, like round square.

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God does not "exist."---Paul Tillich, Christian theologian

This sounds to me like another way of saying the universe came from nothing. Nothing can come from nothing. You have to have something to make it come into being.As regards the word "origin," perhaps it should be changed to "explanation for the existence of anything."

It certainly does revert to option #1. If you want to posit a demi-God created by an eternal being, that's fine with me. I suppose this demi-god would be the eternal Being's agent or something--a silly idea, but you're welcome to it.

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God does not "exist."---Paul Tillich, Christian theologian

There's nothing to make anything happen.

OK, Parasomnium, go ahead and explain to me how something can come from nothing.

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God does not "exist."---Paul Tillich, Christian theologian

The other "factor" is the nature of that creation. We can discuss that if you like, but it will take us far afield. One might propose, for example, an argument against the existence of God that we can call the argument from "lack of design." This would be an example of another factor that would possibly carry weight, corresponding to the state of your health in regard to your comparison.This message has been edited by robinrohan, 04-28-2006 09:48 AM

It matters to me. I'm just trying to figure it out.

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God does not "exist."---Paul Tillich, Christian theologian

There's nothing standing in the way or something or someone always existing. There is something standing in the way of something coming from nothing: no causal agent.

Yes, if eternal. Otherwise, something has to happen to get them into existence.

Logic speaketh.