Abstract This research explores arguments and counterarguments regarding the existence of God. According to the paper, atheists live in a material world and deny the existence of anything that cannot be seen, felt, or touched. The paper further reports that the key atheist argument is that God does not exist because the essence of God cannot be experienced on earth.
Outline:
Does God Exist?
The Atheist Viewpoint
The Deist Answer
From the Paper "If we simply live and then die, our actions do not matter. The future does not matter; therefore, humankind must have some higher purpose. Atheists argue that our higher purpose is in service to man and the future inhabitants of earth. Deism does not undermine man's need to serve the future generations of humankind; it simply recognizes and embraces man's higher purpose. If one is dedicated to God and the higher purpose of improving humankind, then one does no have to justify their reason for existence through actions. Both deists and atheists have their sights on the future, the difference is that Atheists must justify their existence through actions. However, they have no investiture in the outcomes of their actions."
Abstract This paper explains that philosophies of religion are divided into theistic, which argues in favor of the existence of God and atheistic, which denies the existence of God. The author points out that the theistic philosophies include teleological, cosmological, ontological, moral and arguments, arguments related to self-interest such as Pascal's "wager" and arguments rooted in the experience of miracles and in religious experience. The paper relates that atheistic refutations include the primary supposition that the burden of proof rests with the theist, that evil exists and that there is a conflict between divine omnipotence and human free will.
From the Paper "The cosmological argument in favor of the existence of God is similar in that it points to the physical universe as proof of God's existence. However, the cosmological argument seeks for an ultimate cause of creation. The primary objection to the cosmological argument raises the issue of the ultimate cause: if everything in the cosmos has a causal force, then what, if anything, can cause God? Some cosmological arguments are temporal in nature, that is, they refer to the nature time when determining the cause of creation. Because it is theoretically possible that God has no cause and is a causeless force or being, the cosmological argument cannot actually prove that God exists, only that God is one possible cause of the universe."
Abstract This paper discusses the concept of atheism, the arguments from the atheists in justification of their belief, the debate over whether atheism is a religion or is just simply a denial of all religious believes."
From the Paper "Atheism has been a debatable issue for several years. The concept of atheism is usually misunderstood by people. Some consider it as an anti religious belief while some people consider as a separate religion. However, these perceptions about atheism are wrong. Atheism is nothing more then an absence of belief on the existence of gods. An atheist is simply a non believer. He or she do not accepts the notion of god's existence on the grounds that there are no convincing evidences for god's existence. "
Abstract This paper looks at the issues and arguments surrounding the existence of God from an atheist perspective. It explores and dismantles arguments which religious theists use to support their beliefs. Ultimately, it attempts to prove that time invested in religious institutions and in an unwavering belief of God is wasted. It shows that belief in God is nothing more than a fairytale which we tell ourselves in order to feel good about our eventual demise.
From the Paper "Theists have a number of means by which they try to prove the existence of God. However, many of them simply use their own particular religious faith as the backbone of their argument. The Christian who tries to prove the existence of God by handing one a Bible is not doing himself any favors. However, throughout the years there have been a few excellent arguments made for the existence of God. However, each of these arguments has holes which make their points meaningless. Perhaps the most popular theist theory revolves around the ?Argument from Design.? This particular long-standing theory, first popularized in the general public by William Paley in his book, Natural Theology, argues that the beauty and order of the universe could only have been created through intelligent design."
Abstract This paper presents a detailed discussion about the beliefs of Immanuel Kant and his atheistic views concerning God. The author takes us on a journey through many of Kants reasons for not believing there is a God and his reasons for religion. According to Kant it is human nature to need religion and we are all drawn in by the need.
Abstract This paper explains that Marquis de Sade was renowned as a libertarian atheist who took the foundations of the Enlightenment, such as equality, pleasure, and freedom of self-thought, to its limit to create his own, seemingly wayward, taxonomy. The author points out that, in "The Philosophy of the Bedroom," de Sade uses a subjective and argumentative tone to assert his opinions and justifications of his antithetical beliefs on sacrilege, calumny, killing, and theft. The paper relates that de Sade's arguments are founded on a very extreme and over-rationalized viewpoint of theft, and his simplistic and idealistic propositions are not supported with any checks or balances.
From the Paper "The assertive language used leaves the reader deceivingly convinced that de Sade's own opinions and thoughts are certainly flawless. However, no matter how influencingly crafted de Sade's propositions are, they still only remain his own thoughts. Whilst the Enlightenment period valued the questioning of the presuppositions that form the basis of our own lives, there was not an encouragement to act unlawfully. This is where two of the Enlightenment thinkers, Immanuel Kant and de Sade, differed. De Sade tended to act upon his radical beliefs, and was jailed for doing so. Kant on the other hand, was not in favor of revolution until there was a consensus through public reason."
Abstract This paper analyzes the multi-faceted story "Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan. The paper explains that Bunyan wrote the story while he was in jail and claims it came to him a dream. The author of this paper neither accepts nor rejects that claim, however, he does show how the story itself is written in a dream-like manner. The paper examines "Pilgrim's Progress" from a variety angles, starting with its Christian-based metaphors and religious/spiritual message. Next, the paper critiques the story's characters, who, with names like Obstinate, Atheist, Prejudice, and Ill-Will, are also symbols for Bunyan's story of humanity and Christianity. The paper concludes that while the book is clearly imprinted by Bunyan's Puritan background and life in 17th century England, the modern reader can still appreciate this fantastical story.
From the Paper "The Pilgrim's Progress is written in the "similitude of a dream"; Bunyan recounts a dream in which he views the progress or journey of Christian (and later Christian's wife Christiana) from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. Along the way, Christian passes through places bearing names like Vanity, Beulah, Doubting Castle, and Beautiful. He also encounters physical obstacles like the Slough of Despond, the Hill Difficulty, the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and the river before the gate to the Celestial City. As the names suggest, the setting of The Pilgrim's Progress consists of places that represent different spiritual and mental states and temptations. The Hill Difficulty may appear as a real hill to be climbed on Christian's journey; just as surely it represents the spiritual obstacles that must be overcome if Christian is to make progress on his journey to the Celestial City. The keeper of the Doubting Castle, Giant Despair, may appear to be a fairy tale monster who keeps his captives under lock and key. He also represents the particular psychological condition one will fall prey to when one's faith begins to slip."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts views of Nietzsche and Sartre. It looks at the philosophical beliefs of existentialism and both philosophers as atheistic existentialists. It also discusses concepts of existence, freedom, human responsibility, will to power, nihilism and death.
From the Paper "The philosophical movement known as Existentialism became popular after World War II but the existential system of thought can be traced back to earlier thinkers such as Soren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche. Existentialism is not a school of philosophy ..."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses two different theories regarding political toleration. The writer notes that the views discussed are those of John Locke and Pierre Bayle. The writer argues that of the two philosophies, Bayle seems more applicable to modern times particularly on the issues involving Roman Catholics and atheists. The writer maintains that the doctrine of an "erring conscience" can work better today in that it allows a person to perform an act based on his best knowledge. Further, the writer points out that it also acknowledges that there is no way to determine the difference between a right conscience and a wrong one. The writer concludes that unlike Locke, Bayle allows any view to deserve toleration but also requires the sincere but erring conscience to take diligent efforts to correct itself.
From the Paper "His prejudice was shared by the Whigs who were behind the 1688 Glorious Revolution, which excluded Roman Catholics from participating in English political life until the Catholic Emancipation of 1829. The spirit of this prejudice endures to this day in the Act of Settlement, which has excluded Roman Catholics from the English throne since its promulgation in 1701. Locke wrote about the bitter experience of the English nation from the leadership of a Roman Catholic monarch, Mary Tudor, under whose reign religious and civil liberty was lost. The Roman Church decreed that Queen Mary's loyalty was first of all to the Church and the Popes and not to the land. The Roman Catholic's loyalty was to the Vatican and the Vatican is a government in itself. It consists of an apostolic successor from Peter's time and a temporal power, which wields the Pope's authority over the kings of the earth. Some Roman Catholics might be rebellious and refuse to submit to the Pope's authority as God's, but this would still be the doctrinal position of the Roman Catholic Church of which they were members. Locke construed the English nation as a particular and geographically existing political commonwealth with members of its own."
Abstract This paper examines Mircea Eliade's book, "The Sacred and the Profane: The Nature of Religion". The intention is to examine whether there is such a thing as a truly profane human being (atheist). The qualities of sacred space and sacred time in respect to human influence are addressed in order to prove that the atheist will always have some connection to the sacred.
Abstract This paper is about Emma Goldman and her various theories, political, societal and moral. It focuses on her forty years spent as an American, especially the years when she was an active member of the anarchist party. It details her involvement in the assassination of Henry Frick, and her accusal in the assassination of President McKinley. It also discusses how her divergent views involving feminism without suffrage, created isolation among politics that she lived with her entire life. Her involvement in the burgeoning sexual revolution and her persona as a figurehead of the atheists and a violent inciter is also expanded upon.
From the Paper "Emma Goldman put very little worth upon the idea of government as a protector of the greater society. Emma Goldman rejected the idea that philosophy could ever be political and she spent her time and energy trying to defeat all types of organized government that she so detested. Her radical and uncompromising views on the nature of government left her without a political forum to embrace, and shaped her reaction to and participation in American anarchism? "
Abstract This essay examines the trial and death of Socrates as shown by Plato's "Apology" and "The Crito".
From the Paper "The trail of Socrates was not so much against the individual as against the intellectual class. It took place at a time when Athens had been defeated in war and the moral of people was low. The state needed a scapegoat who could be punished as a cause of the defeat. Thus, Socrates then represented the intellectuals who had begun questioning the state and thus, had to be suppressed in authority was to be held in the traditional manner.
At his trail in The Apology Socrates had asked what morality was but was given no definite answer. In The Crito as he awaits death he suggests that morality explores the concept of the good things in life and is the determining factor in the happiness of the human life."
Abstract In this paper the author makes a psychological analysis of a 16 year old youth who is demonstrating various recognized symptoms for negative affectivity. The author looks at all of the symptoms and attempts to asses what has led both to the symptoms and behavior of the youth. The author considers the youth's relationship with his parents and siblings and also the effect on the youth of his brother's death.
From the paper:
?Vacillations such as declaring himself an atheist one minute and praying to God the next Caulfield is in a flux of coming to terms with his own identity, not an uncommon trait among teens. The difference in Caulfield's behavior and normal "growing pains" are the extreme inter personal negativity, paranoia (e.g. knowing he is going to die from cancer because of a canker sore), and the descent into delusional behavior (e.g. speaking with his dead brother).?
Abstract An argumentative paper critically analyzing texts, arguments and proofs about the existence of Jesus Christ and Christianity. The writer is sceptical and the tone of the entire paper is to undermine and negate missionaries and evangelists who go out and attempt to convert people.
From the Paper "Some believe in Allah, and some believe in Christ, while others believe in ghosts and reincarnation. All of these beliefs exist without the benefit of one single fact. To me it would seem impossible for Christ to have come to earth and do all that He is credited with doing and then leave behind absolutely no trace of his existence. What about the Bible you say? The Bible is a collection of myths and stories used to explain the unknown to the uneducated, or at least that is what it is used for now. In all fairness it was all the answers people had to go on inside of a scientific vacuum two thousand years ago. For example, the priests would ask what caused volcanoes to erupt and the ground to shake? What man could cause these things to happen? Even the wisest of men could offer no intelligent response to these legitimate questions; they had neither the tools nor the know-how to begin to study these things. Things have changed. What was once evidence for the existence of God is now known to even the smallest child as natural and explainable phenomena."
Tags: atheism, atheist, christianity, creation, critical, science, truth
A discussion on the division between church and state over the role of the American government in the religious convictions of its people, and vice versa.
Abstract The following paper examines the way in which the American government mandates that children will attend school, that there will be teachers, and there will be education. This paper asserts that if the latter is mandatory, then the government must decide what religious value or training will be mandatory. The debate explores how on the one side many have suggested that no religion be instituted, whereas on the other side just as many say that no religion is the same thing as preaching the religion of atheism or agnosticism. The writer examines how many Christians want a more exclusively Christian environment, while many atheists or agnostics want to decrease the level of religious power invested in school systems. Both sides have problems with their issues, and may be extremists in theory, in actions, and in rhetoric. This paper suggests a solution to this everlasting debate.
From the Paper "As the American government has progressed from a withdrawn state where it controlled little more than a militia and trade treaties to being an authoritarian structure which oversees everything from highway speeds to public education, the basis for change in its relationship to religion was firmly sown. A government which does not regulate public schools, or zoning laws, has in every field a very different role from one which does, but this is particularly important in the role of religious and ethical convictions. The difference between being tax-exempt and not tax-exempt is tremendous. The difference between having a building license or not changes the entire scope of a ministry. Perhaps most important, though, is the increased need for the government to determine what schools will teach about religion, if they teach anything at all"
