the existence of God. Anselm defined God as a being that nothing greater than which can be thought of. In Anselm’s second version, a further point is added that something, which cannot be thought not to exist, is greater than anything, which can be thought not to exist. Anselm thought it was impossible to think this of God. Anselm’s second argument concludes that God has to exist and cannot fail to exist (necessary existence). Anything, which has to exist and cannot fail to exist is said to be “necessary”
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Report on Religious Field Research Joe Carter Bob Andrews Religion 212 June 4, 2012 Report on Religious Field Research Religion is defined by Brodd (2003) as a collection of beliefs concerning the existence of nature, the purpose of the universe, the existence of human beings, and deities. Religion is usually related to the cultural beliefs systems, which are connected to humankind, spirituality, and the moral values. There are different types of religions
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problem is this: The traditional conception of God is as omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful), and benevolent. This implies that if God exists then he knows how to, wants to, and is able to prevent all suffering. If such a God existed, though, then he actually would prevent all suffering. Suffering, though, is a familiar part of the world around us; it has not been prevented. There is, therefore, no omniscient, omnipotent, and benevolent God. There are many different responses
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Evil is a universal problem with many categories. Philosophers like David Hume and Alvin Plantinga have attempted to explain the presence of evil despite there being a God. One can choose from many theodicies on moral and natural evil. Lately work has shifted to the notion of gratuitous evil. If gratuitous evils exist, is God morally responsible? Gratuitous evil and natural evil appears to bring the most plausible charge that something malevolent has occurred. This paper will critique various arguments
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A Response to McCloskey McCloskey uses the term “proof” throughout his article, to indicate arguments, such as the cosmological, teleological, and the argument from design, that he claims theists use as points in an argument for a sovereign God. McCloskey’s argument that if one point is weak, then all should be abandoned is rather obtuse and close minded. McCloskey refutes the proofs in just several pages, but neglects to mention how all 3 of them collectively get far closer to solid evidence than
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following pages we ask ourselves and discuss if humans need to prove the existence of god and if it is necessary? What the strongest argument for the existence of God is and what are the foundations of the universe. These are all important questions that we need to ask ourselves. In the end, no matter what your beliefs are, as long as you are happy with your life that is all that matters. God affects the lives of people differently and has certainly been a contentious subject for
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known and studied. He contributed much to mathematics as well as philosophy. What does my philosopher believe is real? One thing my philosopher believes is real is the certainty of the existence of god. René Descartes has an awareness about god. And acknowledges the existence of god. One of Descartes metaphysics is his certainty about god which is examined in his Fifth Mediations “Descartes holds that the idea of God is a true and immutable nature and hence it is not something that can be rejected
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the Christian Faith Rhonda Rigsby APOL 500 7/7/13 Target Audience The selected target audience for this paper is atheists. Atheists are defined as “a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of God or gods”, according to the Random House College dictionary. The first order of business within the atheist argument is that atheism is not a belief at all. Many Christians cringe when they hear the word atheism or that someone is an atheist, while some
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Is believing in God reasonable or is he even real for that matter? Why do people choose to believe or not to believe in him? If you do believe is there any true value in doing so? The question of God’s very existence has been discussed throughout time. H.J. McCloskey, an atheist, expounds on this matter in his article “On Being an Atheist.” Of course this article is from the atheist point of view. McCloskey alleges that atheism is a more agreeable explanation of the world than theism, and the
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evil? This ‘problem of evil’ and the existence of evil have plagued the minds of people throughout the centuries. It has been one on the most sought after inquiries and one of the most vexing challenges to Christianity, in explaining the existence of God. Many philosophers and thinkers, both secular and Christian, have endeavored to solve this problem. One of the most notable of whom is Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430). He is perhaps one of the most influential philosophers in the history of the
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