Resolved: Theism is logical

Resolved: Theism is logical. Theism: : "belief in the existence of a god or gods; specifically : belief in the existence of one God viewed as the creative source of the human race and the world who transcends yet is immanent in the world: -Merriam Webster logical: : "agreeing with the rules of logic : sensible or reasonable of or relating to the formal processes used in thinking and reasoning" -Merriam Webster (For the sake of the debate, the definition of God is a deity that created the universe.) Case for Theism being logical: Exhibit A: Logical Theists. There are many Theists in the maths and sciences, fields that are known for being logical. Among these mathematicians and scientists are, Leonardo da Vinci, Isaac Newton, Johannes Kelper, Galileo Galilei, Rene Descartes, Louis Pasteur. http://en.wikipedia.org... There are also other well known theists in politics and other logical fields: http://en.wikipedia.org... If logical people believe in something, then it follows that the belief is logical. Logical people believe in God's existence The belief in God's existence is Theism Therefore Theism is logical. Exhibit B: Arguments for the existance of God Argument 1: The Kalam Theological Argument 1. Whatever begins to exist has a cause. 2. The universe began to exist. 3. Therefore, the universe has a cause. [1] Thus, it can be concluded that since the universe has a cause that is outside of space and time. This cause (that is outside of space and time) can be described as God, (defined as a creator deity.) Thus, it is logical to believe that God caused the universe to exist. If it is logical to believe that God caused the universe to exist, then it is logical to believe that God exists. The belief in God is theism. Therefore theism is logical. Argument 2: The Ontological Argument "It is a conceptual truth (or, so to speak, true by definition) that God is a being than which none greater can be imagined (that is, the greatest possible being that can be imagined). God exists as an idea in the mind. A being that exists as an idea in the mind and in reality is, other things being equal, greater than a being that exists only as an idea in the mind. Thus, if God exists only as an idea in the mind, then we can imagine something that is greater than God (that is, a greatest possible being that does exist). But we cannot imagine something that is greater than God (for it is a contradiction to suppose that we can imagine a being greater than the greatest possible being that can be imagined.) Therefore, God exists." [2] (Therefore it can be concluded that Theism is logical) Argument 3: The Teleological Argument "The fifth way is taken from the governance of the world. We see that things which lack knowledge, such as natural bodies, act for an end, and this is evident from their acting always, or nearly always, in the same way, so as to obtain the best result. Hence it is plain that they achieve their end, not fortuitously, but designedly. Now whatever lacks knowledge cannot move towards an end, unless it be directed by some being endowed with knowledge and intelligence; as the arrow is directed by the archer. Therefore, some intelligent being exists by whom all natural things are directed to their end; and this being we call God." "St Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica: Article 3, Question 2) "This most elegant system of the sun, planets, and comets could not have arisen without the design and dominion of an intelligent and powerful being." -Isaac Newton The watch could not have come about by accident (unlike a rock or stone) The existence of the watch is proof of a watchmaker The universe is intricate in its design (e.g. molecular structure of ice, the position of the Earth from the Sun"etc.) The universe could not come about by accident The universe itself is proof of an intelligent designer - William Payle's Teological argument. [3] Essentially, the Teological argument states that the universe is so complex that it is neccessary for it to have an intellegent designer, which God (the creator deity). The teological argument is a logical argument for the existance of God. If there is a logical argument for the existance of God, then the belief existance of God is logical Theism is the belief that God is exists. Therefore Theism is logical. Argument 4: Argument from morality. "Nearly universally across human cultures, there exist the same basic standards of morality. In addition, there exist in all cultures truly altruistic acts which lead to no personal or genetic benefit. The majority of people who explicitly deny the existence of objective morality still act as if objective morality exists. There exists a nearly universal human intuition that certain things are objectively right or wrong. The majority of philosophers recognize the existence of objective moral facts. Many naturalists (like Sam Harris or Shelley Kagan) affirm the existence of objective moral facts, despite the problems inherent in grounding these facts in the natural world." [4] (Thus) There are objective moral facts. God provides the best explanation of the existence of objective moral facts. Therefore, (probably) God exists. [5] The morality argument is a logical argument for the existance of God. If there is logical argument for the existance of God, then the belief existance of God is logical Theism is the belief that God is exists. Therefore Theism is logical. Conclusion: These arguments are logical arguments for the existance of God. If there are many logical arguments for the existance of God, then the belief that God is logical. If there are many logical people who believe in the existance of God, then the belief that God exists is logical. Theism is the belief that God is exists. Therefore Theism is logical. Sources: [1] http://www.reasonablefaith.org... [2] http://www.iep.utm.edu... [3] http://www.scandalon.co.uk... [4] http://www.shenvi.org... [5] http://plato.stanford.edu... (Note: Rebuttals next round)