The Existence of God

A theory is an idea. Mine are backed with studies and actual evidence that leads to a better possibility of these theories being true. What is your God backed by? KalāmThis argument asserts that something needs to have a cause to exist. By cause, it appears you are referring to God, or some type of divine creator? Because it would be just as plausible saying the cause was quantum fluctuations [1]. The difference between spacetime on a quantum level, and God, is there have been studies and experiments testing and observing spacetime on the quantum level. The only thing that gives any type of "validity" to a 'God' argument is the idea that the Bible contains prophecies. Simply dismissing our lack of knowledge pertaining to pre-Big Bang and shoving "God did it" in there instead of attempting to find out other possibilities is not an argument. Lack of knowledge is not a knowledge of God.Please keep in mind that in the grand scheme of things, our society has hardly evolved enough to understand space and time and what happened before anything existed, if there even was a before, and what will happen if everything ceases to exist, and if there are parallel universes, or alternate realities, or life before and/or after death, etc. These are all things that we will get to understand by asking questions, hypothesising, theorising, testing, questioning, observing, and repeating. We will not make it anywhere in understanding the universe let alone our own galaxy if we assert that God created it all, and leave it at that.Borde-Guth-Vilenkin As I believe I mentioned in round 1, I believe our universe is expanding, contracting, and expanding again, infinitely. It is possible to convert gravity into energy [2], [3], and this is "simply" done when the universe collapses in on itself. as gravity has no limit as to the amount of energy able to be drawn from it, and this gravitational energy has the ability to convert into matter and radiation. This is a good theory, but there are multiple studies that - I don't want to say dismiss, but... dismiss it. This does not mean it is a bad theory, or an impossible event, it simply means there are other theories out there that have (possibly) more credibility than this one.And remember, not knowing what happened before the Big Bang does not imply divine intervention.Also, if you could provide a source to a website that isn't a religious one, but more of a purely scientific one, that agrees with godandscience.org, your argument would have a lot more credibility.Probable existence of GodI provided (what I consider) valid evidence/reasoning as to how the universe can be eternal. I'm not asserting it is eternal, but Endless Universe [3] (referring to chapter seven/eight) gives more than valid reasons backed up with science and an understanding of particle physics, spacetime, and astronomy as to how it is possible that our universe is eternal.Even if this book is completely wrong, and there has been 100% proven to be a beginning to the universe, asserting that God was at the beginning because we currently cannot explain what happened before or at the beginning is no where close to proof. It is a theory, but it's s much of a theory as saying the Flying Spaghetti Monster was at the beginning and created it all too. It's simply an unfalsifyable hypothesis - there's really no way to prove God doesn't exist, as it's currently an idea, unable to be tested or scientifically proven. For you to assert that God exists, or probably exists, you would be required to show some sort of scientific proof. Because according to your logic, since the theory of God makes sense, the theory of quantum fluctuations pre-Big Bang also makes sense. The main difference is that quantum fluctuations have actually been observed, tested, and are consistent with the laws of reality. God, on the other hand, is so far nothing more than a hypothesis, or maybe even a theory, but an untestable one.The "proof" that he does not exist is simply the lack of proof that he does.I consider the Christian God because Christianity is the main religion practiced worldwide, with about a third of the entire world's population believing. I also am not too familiar with Brahma, Allah, Kami, or really any other God or Religion, however from what I've read of their respective religious books, it's quite similar to Christianity.The Bible I'm not denying that the Bible is an influential and powerful book. I've read it, and have somewhat based my perspective of my life and the world around it. Although I don't believe many of the stories or necessarily do what it tells me to do, such as worship Christ and God, it was still able to influence me. It didn't convince me of God's existence, mainly because it's simply a book filled with metaphors and stories and basically gives people with little hope actual hope, or moral values or love. I can see damn well why people follow the bible - for the most part, it spreads love and teaches us not to harm other people. However we don't need to rely on the Bible to teach us that anymore, considering how far we've come with technology and intelligence.Because the Bible says God is real doesn't make him real. Passages Meaning of world conditions Timothy 3:1-5This passage is explaining how to be a good person and how to take command and step up and represent our communities as overseers and deacons. This is not a prophecy, this is (much like I stated before) how to be a decent person.Luke 21:25-31This passage explains natural galactic events. As nothing regarding the Sun or Moon has really happened that has affected us recently (other than that huge solar flare a couple centuries ago, but once again... natural galactic event), this can not be taken as a prophecy. Also, it is incredibly vague, basically saying something bad will happen. I'm sure the next big solar flare will mean this was a true prophecy and the Lord hath shown himself among his children! Zephaniah 2:3 No offense, but this is nothing. It's just saying to seek out the Lord and you'll be safe. Seek out me and you'll also be safe.John 17:3Once again, this is nothing. It's like saying the Bible is true because the Bible says so. Psalm 37:10Same thing. It's saying be a good person and believe in God and you will prosper. This neither proves or gives reasonable explanations for God's existence, nor is a prophecy.Purpose of lifeActs 17:24-26"God did it" is neither a prophecy or any kind of rational, logical way to prove his existence.Genesis 1:27,28If we are here to rule the world, then we have done a good job at it, as we're basically at the top of the food chain, considering our technology and thought processes. However this is nothing even close to a prophecy. It would be like if I said "go forth, my children, spread your seeds throughout thy galaxy, throughout thy universe, and rule over thy cosmos." ...And then a thousand or so years later, we have colonies set up on planets and moons in Andromeda. Would I be a prophet? No, I would have predicted a possible event. Just like a couple thousand years ago, the knowledge of human dominance over most of nature was prevalent and well known. If the Bible had been described by cavemen before they even really knew how to form words, or if an outside force had shown that we would some day be where we are now, it would have a lot more credibility.However I do agree this is a good reason to exist - to advance our species and race and our well-being. John 17:3This once again isn't anything, it's talking about eternal life. This does not validate the existence of God.Psalm 37:11Once again, like I've said before, the Bible is a great way to be a good person and respect everyone.Psalm 40:8As far as I remember, Psalm talks about being a generous, respectful person, and in return, God will reward you with prosperity and a good life. However this does not validate the existence of God.Conclusion to PassagesI won't comment on the last section, as I'm running out of space here, and wish to respond to your next arguments, but almost everything you've quoted has been ways to be nice people, take care of your land, be a good leader, and "explanations" of minor galactic events. This is not a bad thing, but it does not provide valid reason or evidence for God's existence. I consider it as much as I consider the laws put in place by a system of justice - they're beneficial, but that's about it. -Re-visiting PropheciesDid Isaiah give an exact date? The leaders in global domination come and go. Whoever is on top, will most likely be attacked. And that happened. Maybe not so "vague," but entirely possible. It would be like if I suggested USA will eventually crumble. There's a possibility. A prophecy is not something that is most likely to happen being predicted.You can pass of any failed prophecy as symbolic. The Bible is full of metaphors. You're cherry-picking what you want to pass as a prophecy or not, and it's currently just what has actually happened and works in favour of God.Ezekiel 28:24; "And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving thorn of all that are round about them, that despised them" ....And we all know how loved Israel is now, right?I could list more failed prophecies, but I've run out of space.I have provided many rational and reasonable explanations and theories for the beginning of the universe, backed with scientific studies and experiments. You have stated that if I cannot prove anything was before the Big Bang, then God was there. I will address this more in my third round if you wish. Lack of knowledge is not a knowledge of God.Thanks! Looking forward to a great third round.[1] http://www.astrosociety.org... [2] http://www.physics.princeton.edu... [3] http://api.ning.com...*Yqq-gU-T80ZTZMLmNR-67rkuk--VX*XLERO8v*XpaSRtORwc0F*Ia2yhd/EndlessUniverse.pdf