Perhaps readers will be willing to consider how simply the theist can respond to those who question the existence of God. If one strives to think logically one will be more easily able to identify faulty reasoning.
Another
example on how the non-believer tries to stump the Christian is by mentioning
some random truth apparently in opposition with belief in God. For example, when
one mentions how similar the DNA of a chimpanzee is to a human.
Now, Intelligent
Design is a belief many scientists hold to not for religious reasons but
because this is where the evidence leads. DNA is not only a complex blueprint
for a living organism but also functions like a software program.[1] Such complex
information must be given by a complex designer. So, the next time someone
starts talking about how similar the DNA of a chimpanzee is to human DNA
recognize the person is just pointing out how the design plan/blueprint of the
chimp is like the design plan/blueprint of a human. So, what is the point the
skeptics are trying to make when bringing this up? They do not know what they
are really saying. Just because the blueprint for one house is like another
this does not mean the houses are related or evolved from one another, but
perhaps they simply have the same designer. DNA is far more complex than any
manmade blueprints. Of course, a chimp is of similar design to a human for
obvious visual reasons, and the blueprint of a bird is not so like a human, for
obvious reasons anyone can see.
When
someone says there is no evidence for God, they are committing the logical
fallacy of appeal to ignorance. The truth is, as has been shown in this text,
there is an immense amount of evidence for God, and no evidence against God.
Upon beginning a discussion with those who claim they do not believe in God the
theist must first know if the skeptic genuinely cares to hear the truth, or will
a discussion be a waste of time.
Consider
the following scenario.
Skeptic:
“There is no evidence for God.
Theist:
“Okay, my friend. There are 3 logical fallacies from which most people have had
their worldviews formed, and even those in the church often believe for wrong
reasons ascribed to these fallacies. Appeal to ignorance, being they do not
believe because they have not bothered to consider there being any evidence for
what they reject, and they have not cared to look for any. Appeal to emotions,
being for emotional reasons they reject the idea of God, maybe because of
suffering in the world, or because some hypocritical Christians hurt them in
some way, etc. And there is appeal to popularity, where the person does not
believe in the Christian God because they were brought up in a different faith,
and all their friends and family share the same belief. Or they do not believe
because they assume because so many intelligent people and friends do not
believe well than there must be no God. Now, my question for you is why do you
not believe? Because I can provide you with logical reasons to believe in the
God of the Bible.”
(Based
on how the skeptic responds the prepared theist will know how to move forward. Upon
first mentioning the logical fallacies, the opposing side will now know their
thinking has been biased and illogical in some way. Furthermore, the skeptic
will recognize the Christian genuinely believes there are logical reasons for
belief in God and is also about to provide those reasons. This is when the
theist will know whether this person wants to believe or not.)
Theist:
“I can provide you with logical reasons for believing in God. I can provide you
with real evidence for God. But honestly if Christianity is true would you want
to believe?”
(At
this point the opposing side will often respond in one of two ways, they will
either want to hear the reasons for why one should believe in God or will
confess to not wanting to believe. For there is no evidence against God to
counter the evidence for God. If the opposing side begins to ridicule the
theist, which is an attempt to avoid the above question, then the Christian
should politely end the conversation, for the skeptic does not want to hear the
truth.)
[1]
Stephen C. Meyer, Signs of Intelligence:
DNA by Design, Koinia House, 2010. https://www.khouse.org/articles/2010/917/
J.P. Moreland, Love Your God with All Your Mind. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2012.
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