In regards to possibilities for the creation of the universe, Deism logically precedes Theism.

-----Introduction-----The resolution is in reference to the creation of the universe, with the understanding that the Big Bang is the method of creation. As with anything that happens in the universe, the law of cause and effect states that every effect must have had a cause. This means there must have been something that caused the Big Bang to happen. So what caused the Big Bang? Nobody knows, but we can use our knowledge that there must have been a cause to come up with possible explanations. It is also important to note that we have no means of scientifically testing any of these hypothesis, as there is no way to create the same environment artificially that we know of. The temperatures and energy levels can only be described as 'near infinite'. That being said, it is important to still approach the problem as scientifically as possible, meaning we look for explanations that could fit with our current understanding of nature, and also that we not exclude any explanations due to non-scientific measures. As a brief tangent, I will explain what I mean by non-scientific measures. I consider common sense to be non-scientific. Common sense says that two clocks, perfectly synchronized, flying around the world in opposite directions, should both show the same time when they meet again, but that idea has been shown to be incorrect. Common sense didn't suggest thousands of years ago that solid stone was actually made up mostly of empty space, and tiny particles that didn't actually touch each other. -----Possible Causes-----Note that this is by no means meant to be an exhaustive list of possible causes, but rather a demonstration that all possible causes must be given the same consideration, and all possible causes are just as likely as any other until they can be objectively, empirically tested. We know that there must have been a cause for the Big Bang, and I propose that we can split possible causes into two categories: Natural and Artificial. Natural CausesNatural causes are causes that come about in and of themselves, according to the laws of nature. In other words, there is no 'conscious' being or energy directing things. One example of a natural cause would be gravity. It is possible that before the Big Bang, there was a universe much like our own. Unlike our universe, this universe was contracting, instead of expanding. Gravity pulled the galaxies, stars, planets, rocks, and dust closer together. As the matter became more compact, gravity became stronger, and the rate of contraction increased. This continued until all of the matter and energy in the universe collapsed in on itself, colliding at nearly-infinitely violent levels, and exploding again. Another natural cause would be more in line with advanced theoretical physics, such as string theory, where a tiny ball of extreme energy phased from one dimension, or one universe, into a place of emptiness, and quickly expanded, creating a new universe. Artificial CausesArtificial causes indicate intervention, typically by a being with consciousness. There are many possible explanations in this category. First is a Theist view. Details of this view can vary significantly from religion to religion, but the basics are the same. There is a God, whether a force, energy, or being, who caused the Big Bang to happen. Whether by condensing energy into a small point, pulling energy from another dimension or universe, or any incomprehensible way, this God intentionally cause the universe to be created. As part of the Theist view in this debate, this God has the characteristic of being involved directly in the course of events in this universe. Next is a Deist view. Again, details of this view can vary, but the basic premise is the same. There is a God, whether a force, energy, or being, who caused the Big Bang to happen. As part of the Deist view in this debate, this God has the characteristic of not being directly involved in the course of events in this universe. Other possible explanations can be thought of, but these suffice for the purpose of this debate. -----All Possible Explanations Are Equal-----Until we develop a method of empirically testing any given possibility, that possibility(as long as it doesn't contradict any known laws) is just as likely to be true as any other. We must not allow 'common sense' to cloud our judgement, as that prevents us from objectively approaching the problem. From a scientific viewpoint, the idea of the Theist God actually being a Unicorn with capabilities of creation would also be equal. As a reminder of why this is so important, we can look at the structure of matter itself. To a person thousands of years ago, they could look at a polished rock and see a smooth, uninterrupted surface. Looking very closely, it would still appear smooth. Common sense would suggest that if you were able to look more closely, it would look the same. Now, of course, we know that in actuality, smooth stone is mostly empty space, and the rest is tiny particles that don't actually touch. Common sense gets in the way of true science. For these reasons, it is exactly as likely that a Theist God was the cause of the Big Bang as a Deist God. -----Deism Precedes Theism? -----My opponent is arguing that Deism logically precedes Theism in this instance, and that somehow the Deist idea is more basic, and the Theist idea is based off of the Deist idea. However, we can clearly see that neither idea is actually based off of the other, they are all equally-likely possibilities. In fact, the ideas only differ on whether or not God intervenes in the course of events of the universe. Theism says God does intervene, and Deism says God doesn't intervene. These ideas are simply two sides of the same coin, with neither being based on the other, nor being more likely than the other.