He states what he believes to be the solutions theists give to solve the problem of evil. These solutions include the fact that the pain is unreal, God’s punishment for sinning, what makes the world better, and is God’s way of reminding men of his existence while also warning them to repair their ways. He argues that atheists are not affected by evil like theists are, which is why life is more comfortable for atheists. Evil does exist in the world, but evil also makes the world a better place. McCloskey claims that the presence of evil in the world argues against “the perfection of the divine design or divine purpose in the world.” (McCloskey, 52) This is not reasonable, however, since evil does not discriminate between theists and atheists.
These arguments intend to determine God’s existence mostly through logic and non-aligned to experience. Anselm’s argument is founded on the belief that God exists in the mind, and thus it is probable for God to exist in reality. According to this claim, something that exists in the mind and can also possibly exist in reality is something greater than it is (Malcolm, 1960). In this case, Anselm contends that God cannot only exist in the mind, but it is possible that he also exists in reality since God is the greatest possible thing. However, there are some other philosophers, including Immanuel Kant, who object this argument, disputing facts about the existence of God.
Moreover, these philosophers also subscribe to the notion that religion should not influence various areas of religion, such as government, unless it can do so in a way that is reasonable. Numerous people and institutions during the course of the respective lives of each of these thinkers would have argued differently: that religion could supersede reason in some instances and govern over aspects of life that have traditionally, and most prudently, been under the subjugation of reason. These two philosophers, however, would argue the converse and never put religion above reason.
The basic assumption, on which the entire argument stands, that God is a being than which none greater can be imagined can seem doubtful to a person who doubts the existence of God, for if one doubts that there is a being than which no greater can be conceived, then he may also be skeptical if any person has thoughts about the same being, whose existence itself is doubtful. The argument seems to “beg the question”. Moreover, St. Anselm’s idea of existence is not very clear. It is not very clear what a physical object is, what it means to say that a physical object exists and what it means to say that a non-physical object exists. St. Anselm’s argument is based on the superiority of an existent God over a non-existent God.
Nicalea Greenlee Astronomy, 7 December 15, 2017 Science vs. Religion Science and religion has always been an argument for years. I think science and religion are both very important to the way of life and how we see the entire universe. But I believe religion is more believable than science. For science can be proven wrong at any given time and religion can never be stated untrue.
Theism in the simplest of terms means the belief in at least one god. Whether it be believing in the one true God or believing in a lot of different gods, there is at least one god that is believed in. There are many different branches of theism. There's deism, pantheism, and agnostic theism. There is even atheism which is actually the lack of belief in a god.
Focusing on the existence of God, two of the three major proofs for his existence lack significant conviction. For example, St. Anselm’s Ontological Argument, while logical and deductive, can be off-putting due to its complicated and round-about nature.
A common questioning of a higher power beyond the physical realm lingers in society: Who and what is God?. However, many of these theological questions cannot be answered until we, of course, die. Due to human’s innate curiosity to understand the forces beyond their own, especially in terms of religion, humans find their own reasons to believe in God in the process of discovery. Religion is a sense of belief and worship to praise a higher power (God), and it provides a guide for human beings to have the opportunity to come together and live as one image of God’s children. “Imagine There’s No Heaven” is an article in which Salman Rushdie, the author, presents an atheistic view where religion is pointless, and a higher being is non-existent.
Some groups also assume that society and religion as completely separate entities. Regarding to those assumptions, we may see from a
In our current day, everyone has an opinion on religion whether they believe in it or not. Religion gives people a sense of comfort and fulfillment and definitely serves as a base for morals and values. Religion is a funny thing though; it is ever-changing and always evolving. Religion can be seen in most societies throughout the ages although they are all different. Belief in gods and otherworldly powers started popping up ages ago with first sights of Hinduism which is still seen today but has taken a backseat to other religions such as Catholicism, Christianity, Islam, and even a nonbelieving denomination known as atheists.