Atheists Vs Agnostics Well a good ppt.. I just found it great :)

1. ATHEISM ANDATHEISM AND
AGNOSTICISMAGNOSTICISM
Material taken from severalMaterial taken from several
sources including Handbook ofsources including Handbook of
Today’s Religion.Today’s Religion.

2. AtheismAtheism
 Comes from Greek prefix a (no or non)Comes from Greek prefix a (no or non)
and the noun theos (god or God).and the noun theos (god or God).
 One who believes that there existsOne who believes that there exists
positive evidence that there is not God.positive evidence that there is not God.
 All of existence (to Atheists) can beAll of existence (to Atheists) can be
explained naturally rather thanexplained naturally rather than
supernaturally.supernaturally.

3. AtheismAtheism
 Convinced that all religious belief,Convinced that all religious belief,
evidence, and faith are false.evidence, and faith are false.
 The evidence favors the supposition ofThe evidence favors the supposition of
nonexistence (Ideas of the Greatnonexistence (Ideas of the Great
Philosophers).Philosophers).
 Some contributors include Marx,Some contributors include Marx,
Nietzsche, and HumeNietzsche, and Hume

4. AgnosticismAgnosticism
 Comes from Greek prefix meaning no orComes from Greek prefix meaning no or
non and the noun gnosis meaningnon and the noun gnosis meaning
knowledge (usually by experience).knowledge (usually by experience).
 One who believes there is insufficientOne who believes there is insufficient
evidence to prove or disprove theevidence to prove or disprove the
existence or nonexistence of God or gods.existence or nonexistence of God or gods.
 Agnostics criticize the theist and theAgnostics criticize the theist and the
atheists for their dogmatism of suchatheists for their dogmatism of such
knowledge.knowledge.

5. AgnosticismAgnosticism
 Refers to the neutralist view on theRefers to the neutralist view on the
question of the existence of God; it is thequestion of the existence of God; it is the
view of the person who elects to remain inview of the person who elects to remain in
a state of suspended judgment (Sahakina state of suspended judgment (Sahakin
and Sahakin, Ideas, 100).and Sahakin, Ideas, 100).
 Two kinds of AgnosticsTwo kinds of Agnostics

6. AgnosticismAgnosticism
 One says there is insufficient evidence atOne says there is insufficient evidence at
this time.this time.
 Other says they are convinced that it isOther says they are convinced that it is
objectively impossible for anyone to knowobjectively impossible for anyone to know
or not know with certainty the existence oror not know with certainty the existence or
non existence of God.non existence of God.

7. Arguments Against Existence ofArguments Against Existence of
God- LanguageGod- Language
 Language- Example: Talking about God isLanguage- Example: Talking about God is
meaningless.meaningless.
 Argument does not actually deny that GodArgument does not actually deny that God
exists but says talk about him his futile.exists but says talk about him his futile.
 Refuting language argument: theRefuting language argument: the
argument itself is self-refuting. To say thatargument itself is self-refuting. To say that
one can’t talk meaningfully about God is toone can’t talk meaningfully about God is to
talk meaningfully about God (Religions,talk meaningfully about God (Religions,
426).426).

8. Arguments Against Existence ofArguments Against Existence of
God- LanguageGod- Language
 Complete agnosticism is self-defeating; itComplete agnosticism is self-defeating; it
reduces to the self-destructing assertionreduces to the self-destructing assertion
that ‘one knows enough about reality inthat ‘one knows enough about reality in
order to affirm that nothing can be knownorder to affirm that nothing can be known
about reality’. This statement providesabout reality’. This statement provides
within itself all that is necessary to falsifywithin itself all that is necessary to falsify
itself. For if one knows something aboutitself. For if one knows something about
reality, then he surely can’t affirm in thereality, then he surely can’t affirm in the
same breath that all of reality issame breath that all of reality is
unknowable (Geisler, Apologetics 20).unknowable (Geisler, Apologetics 20).

9. Arguments Against Existence ofArguments Against Existence of
God- KnowledgeGod- Knowledge
 Example: We can’t know the real.Example: We can’t know the real.
 Argument says, “We can know aboutArgument says, “We can know about
things in the real world through the use ofthings in the real world through the use of
our senses and our mind. However, sinceour senses and our mind. However, since
our senses are imperfect and selective,our senses are imperfect and selective,
and our mind is affected by all it hasand our mind is affected by all it has
experienced previously, our perception ofexperienced previously, our perception of
a thing is thereby affected (Religions,a thing is thereby affected (Religions,
422).422).

10. Arguments Against Existence ofArguments Against Existence of
God- KnowledgeGod- Knowledge
 This argument does not specifically argueThis argument does not specifically argue
against God’s existence but can be usedagainst God’s existence but can be used
to deny that one can know objectivelyto deny that one can know objectively
about God.about God.
 Refuting Knowledge argument: One whoRefuting Knowledge argument: One who
adheres completely to the idea that weadheres completely to the idea that we
cannot know the real is another examplecannot know the real is another example
of one who refutes himself.of one who refutes himself.

11. Arguments Against Existence ofArguments Against Existence of
God- KnowledgeGod- Knowledge
 Reasonably we could say that we do notReasonably we could say that we do not
know everything about the real, but it isknow everything about the real, but it is
self-defeating to say one knows nothingself-defeating to say one knows nothing
about the real. IF one really knowsabout the real. IF one really knows
nothing about the real, then his statementnothing about the real, then his statement
(I know nothing about the real) is false: he(I know nothing about the real) is false: he
really knows the truth of the statement.really knows the truth of the statement.
His statement can’t be true unless,His statement can’t be true unless,
contradictorily, it is also false (Religion,contradictorily, it is also false (Religion,
426).426).

12. Arguments Against Existence ofArguments Against Existence of
God-Moral ConceptsGod-Moral Concepts
 Example: The Christian God could not allow evil.Example: The Christian God could not allow evil.
 If he were an all powerful God, then he couldIf he were an all powerful God, then he could
destroy all evil. If he were all good, the he woulddestroy all evil. If he were all good, the he would
want to destroy all evil. If your all powerful, allwant to destroy all evil. If your all powerful, all
good God existed, the He would have had togood God existed, the He would have had to
destroy all evil. Evil exists. Therefore, your alldestroy all evil. Evil exists. Therefore, your all
powerful, all God must not exist. Or if he exists,powerful, all God must not exist. Or if he exists,
he is not able to do away with evil (Religion,he is not able to do away with evil (Religion,
424).424).

13. Arguments Against Existence ofArguments Against Existence of
God-Moral ConceptsGod-Moral Concepts
 Does not argue against the existence of allDoes not argue against the existence of all
gods , but only against the all powerful, allgods , but only against the all powerful, all
knowing God.knowing God.
 This is probably the most frequent usedThis is probably the most frequent used
argument.argument.
 Refuting the Moral Concept- ChristiansRefuting the Moral Concept- Christians
and theologians don’t disagree with theand theologians don’t disagree with the
first premise:first premise:

14. Arguments Against Existence ofArguments Against Existence of
God-Moral ConceptsGod-Moral Concepts
 Which is “if there is an all powerful God,Which is “if there is an all powerful God,
he could destroy evil”. Where the problemhe could destroy evil”. Where the problem
comes is the second premise:comes is the second premise:
 ““If He were all good, He would want toIf He were all good, He would want to
destroy all evil”.destroy all evil”.
 First an all powerful God may haveFirst an all powerful God may have
beneficent reasons for uses for evil.beneficent reasons for uses for evil.

15. Arguments Against Existence ofArguments Against Existence of
God-Moral ConceptsGod-Moral Concepts
 Secondly, the arguer has not taken intoSecondly, the arguer has not taken into
consideration the element of time. What isconsideration the element of time. What is
God wanted to use evil for a time and thenGod wanted to use evil for a time and then
ultimately destroy it. This would allow forultimately destroy it. This would allow for
a good God.a good God.
 Thirdly, who are we to assume that GodThirdly, who are we to assume that God
would want to destroy evil; God’s ways arewould want to destroy evil; God’s ways are
not our ways.not our ways.

16. Arguments Against Existence ofArguments Against Existence of
God-Scientific MethodGod-Scientific Method
 Example: God is man’s wish.Example: God is man’s wish.
 Man feel inadequate within himself. HeMan feel inadequate within himself. He
desires for God to exist. Therefore Goddesires for God to exist. Therefore God
has no objective reality, he does not exist.has no objective reality, he does not exist.
 Refuting the scientific method: To say thatRefuting the scientific method: To say that
man’s wish for God to exist proves thatman’s wish for God to exist proves that
God does not exist is completely illogical.God does not exist is completely illogical.

17. Arguments Against Existence ofArguments Against Existence of
God-Scientific MethodsGod-Scientific Methods
 Our wishing does not make things existOur wishing does not make things exist
nor does it prelude things from existing.nor does it prelude things from existing.
 Does the fact that atheists wish for GodDoes the fact that atheists wish for God
not to exist prove that he does exist?not to exist prove that he does exist?
 One must look at the evidence (we willOne must look at the evidence (we will
next week).next week).

18. Arguments Against Existence ofArguments Against Existence of
God-Logical ArgumentsGod-Logical Arguments
 Example 1: God’s all powerfulness isExample 1: God’s all powerfulness is
contradictory.contradictory.
 There can’t be an omnipotent (allThere can’t be an omnipotent (all
powerful) God. Such a God would bepowerful) God. Such a God would be
stuck with the following contradictorystuck with the following contradictory
questions:questions:
 Can God create a rock to heavy for Him toCan God create a rock to heavy for Him to
lift?lift?

19. Arguments Against Existence ofArguments Against Existence of
God-Logical ArgumentsGod-Logical Arguments
 Can God make 2+2 = 6?Can God make 2+2 = 6?
 Can God make Himself go out ofCan God make Himself go out of
existence and then pop back intoexistence and then pop back into
existence?existence?
 Can God make a square circle?Can God make a square circle?
 If God is all powerful he should be able toIf God is all powerful he should be able to
do these things, but in doing them he isdo these things, but in doing them he is
thwarting his own omnipotence, so Godthwarting his own omnipotence, so God
must not exist.must not exist.

20. Arguments Against Existence ofArguments Against Existence of
God-Logical ArgumentsGod-Logical Arguments
 Example 2: God attributes contradict eachExample 2: God attributes contradict each
other.other.
 How can one both possess love andHow can one both possess love and
wrath? How can God be absolutely goodwrath? How can God be absolutely good
and yet absolutely free?and yet absolutely free?
 Because God’s attributes contradict eachBecause God’s attributes contradict each
other logically, He must not exist.other logically, He must not exist.

21. Arguments Against Existence ofArguments Against Existence of
God-Logical ArgumentsGod-Logical Arguments
 Refuting the Logical argument: God is allRefuting the Logical argument: God is all
powerful but can’t and won’t do thepowerful but can’t and won’t do the
logically or intrinsically impossible.logically or intrinsically impossible.
 In other words God can’t and won’tIn other words God can’t and won’t
contradict himself.contradict himself.
 Best explained by Thomas Warren:Best explained by Thomas Warren:

22. Arguments Against Existence ofArguments Against Existence of
God-Logical ArgumentsGod-Logical Arguments
 Rather than saying that God can’t doRather than saying that God can’t do
certain things, it would be more incertain things, it would be more in
harmony with the truth to say simply thatharmony with the truth to say simply that
such things cannot be done at all! God issuch things cannot be done at all! God is
infinite in power, but power meaningfullyinfinite in power, but power meaningfully
relates only to that which can be done, torelates only to that which can be done, to
what is possible of accomplishment- not towhat is possible of accomplishment- not to
what is impossible.what is impossible.

23. Arguments Against Existence ofArguments Against Existence of
God-Logical ArgumentsGod-Logical Arguments
 (Continued) It is absurd to speak of any(Continued) It is absurd to speak of any
power being able to do what simply cannotpower being able to do what simply cannot
be done. God can do whatever is possiblebe done. God can do whatever is possible
to be done, but he will do only what is into be done, but he will do only what is in
harmony with his nature. Rather thanharmony with his nature. Rather than
saying that God cannot make a four sidedsaying that God cannot make a four sided
triangle one would more accurately saytriangle one would more accurately say
that the making of a four sided trianglethat the making of a four sided triangle
simply cannot be done.simply cannot be done.

24. YOU CHOOSEYOU CHOOSE
 Joshua said unto all the people [ofJoshua said unto all the people [of
Israel], . . . choose you this day whom yeIsrael], . . . choose you this day whom ye
will serve; . . . but as for me and mywill serve; . . . but as for me and my
house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:2,house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:2,
15).15).