Thiest hold a more solid outlook than athiest

Thanks to my opponent. May God Bless you, Sir, ma'am. SOLID OUTLOOK on Theism and Atheism. Three hypotheses are possible: self-existence (atheism), self-creation (pantheism) or creation by an external agency (theism). Analyzing these three hypotheses, however, we find that, "differing so widely as they seem to do", they all "contain the same ultimate element. It is impossible to avoid making the assumption of self-existence somewhere", whether with regard to a part of the universe (atheism), the universe as a whole (pantheism), or an external creator (theism). Furthermore, the idea of self-existence is not merely inescapable but "rigorously inconceivable; and this holds true whatever be the nature of the object of which it is predicated". Therefore, atheism, pantheism and theism alike, despite "seeming to their adherents quite rational, turn out, when critically examined, to be literally unthinkable". Bible miracles are philosophically possible - that is all I am saying. My belief comes not from these advantages of theism as a whole but from Scripture, this is not a core belief of Christianity. So what are some of these practical things? It solves the problem of evil, it provides meaning to prayer, it aligns with our natural instincts about choice. The real reason, in my opinion, that most people are religious is that belief helps relieve general angst and the fear of death. But even when that fear is subued, some people just seem to be wired for religion or spiritual experiences. Theism, in the broadest sense, is the belief that at least one deity exists. Theism (or natural theology), and the revelation I believe in, seem both of them pure matters of assertion. The fact - assumed without any attempt at justification by argument - that, in spite of the multitude of logical reasons for scepticism, we do know, truth and beauty. And when confronted with this there must be a God who can miraculously endow the irrational mind of man with truth and miracles. Some of the derived consequences are then given for the manner in which the Divine is in immanent and sustains the physical (and mental) worlds. Following these general principles, we look detail at the discrete degrees in creation, in a top-down approach where we start from the theistic principles, and derive details of spiritual, mental and physical levels of processes, along with their dynamic interrelations. This derivation is at the heart of theism. Avantages of Theism: 1. Tools to explore inner self. 2. Ways to connect to others in your community. 3. Ways to connect to people in other communities (mission work, charity). 4. Weekly church is an opportunity to examine one's own morality. 5. A way of finding peace and joy. Human beings are born with theism implanted into their brains - there can be no other explanation for EVERY culture on earth having theistic beliefs at some point in their histories. The fact is that there is a very real psychological need for spiritual fulfillment. Everyone has a basic built-in sense of right and wrong -- another evidence of a designer who put it there (no nobody "developed" it themselves -- if so, there'd be many varying opinions of right and wrong), There is also a centre for worship in the brain, something you would expect a designer to do. As for what do you gain from theism -- well, those of us who've tried trusting in God have found that He exists and "rewards them who diligently seek Him". What happens, though, when we examine the new atheists' own "reasonableness" and "internal coherence"? When it comes to religious discussions, have you noticed that it is the atheists who are usually asking the questions? "Atheism shows strength of mind, but only to a certain degree" In view of its inability to evade assuming self-existence somewhere, "even that which is commonly regarded as the negation of all religion — even positive Atheism comes within the definition" of religion. Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existance of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities. Most inclusively, atheism is simply the absence of belief that any deities exist. Atheism is contrasted with theism, which in its most general form is the belief that at least one deity exists. The claim of no knowledge, no faith or a complete rejection of theism. "We seek rest in a struggle against some obstacles. And when we have overcome these, rest proves unbearable because of the boredom it produces...How hollow and full of garbage is the heart of man." He goes on to say "no one without faith has ever reached the point at which everyone constantly aims...only an infinite and immutable object – that is, God himself – can fill this infinite abyss." http://en.wikipedia.org... Failures in the practice of rational reasoning such as these are all too common among the New Atheists. They charge Christianity with being unreasoning or unreasonable, but too often they do so as they have done with slavery: use incomplete evidence or demonstrably invalid reasoning. From my observations, it adds up to this: the new atheists' difficulty with valid, responsible reasoning is widespread and systemic. Far from being the defenders of reason, they are among the chief offenders against it. It's time we called them on that. http://catholicexchange.com... The primary criticism of atheism is that it rejects belief in God, for whose existence theist and deist critics believe there are well-established arguements. Atheists, however, regard the arguments for the existence of God as unconvincing or flawed. Atheism has been criticized as a faith in itself, with some defining it as a belief in its own right, with a certainty about the falseness of religious beliefs that is comparable to the certainty about the unknown that is practiced by religions themselves. For many years in the United States, atheists were not allowed to testify in court because it was believed that an atheist would have no reason to tell the truth. It has also been considered that atheists might have a higher suicide rate than theists. Suggestion that atheism has highly negative effects on the individuals after death: a point taken up by Pascal in Pascal's Wager. Questions: 1. Is there any evidence that would ever make you a believer? 2. How would you define atheism? 3. If everyone completely passes out of existence when they die, what ultimate meaning has life? 4. Do you believe the world would be better off without Christianity? 5. Why does research, discovery, diplomacy, art, music, sacrifice, compassion, feelings of love, or affectionate and caring relationships mean anything if it all ultimately comes to naught anyway? 6. Do you think that a society that is run by Christians or atheists would be safer? Why? 7. If we have no soul, why do we feel conscious of ourselves? 8. Without a personal Creator-God, how are you anything other than the coincidental, purposeless miscarriage of nature, spinning round and round on a lonely planet in the blackness of space for just a little while before you and all memory of your futile, pointless, meaningless life finally blinks out forever in the endless darkness? 9. Do you believe in free will? 10. Would you consider all Marxists to be Atheists? http://www.thefullwiki.org... http://en.wikipedia.org... http://www.encyclopedia.com... http://www.1911encyclopedia.org... http://www.mb-soft.com...