Resolved: God Exists

Let me begin by thanking rulshok for instigating this debate. My opponent has failed to define "God" so for the purpose of clarity I shall define God below. ============== The Definition for God: ============== God is the supernatural originator of the universe. ====== Case Pro ====== Contention 1: God is the necessary first cause for the universe. I cannot take credit for creating this argument, but I will be responsible for defending it. (The Kalam Cosmological Argument) Premise 1: Everything that begins to exist has a cause. Premise 2: The universe began to exist. Conclusion 1: Therefore, the universe must have a cause. [1] The second premise is then supported by the following argument. 1.An actual infinite cannot exist. 2.A beginningless series of events is an actual infinite. 3.Therefore, the universe cannot have existed infinitely in the past, as that would be a beginningless series of events It is simply impossible for the universe to have existed for an infinite period of time. Theoretical infinites like numbers can exist infinitely but actual infinites are logically impossible. If there were an infinite number of past events the existence of the future would simply be impossible. Therefore we can conclusively say that the universe did have a starting point in time. Contention 2: The first cause for the universe must have been supernatural and personal. 1. There was a first cause to the universe. (Established by Kalam) 2. All natural evens are the result of a proceeding natural event. (This is not arguable) 3. Natural events cannot be their own cause, because they are the products of determinism. [2] 4. The first cause must have transcended natural boundaries. [3] 5. The first cause for the universe must have been supernatural. [4] 6. Any uncaused event is not the product of determinism. (Given) 7. The supernatural first cause was not caused by anything. (Established by Kalam) 8. The supernatural first cause could not have been the product of determinism. [6] [7] 9. The supernatural first cause must have been the result of free will. [8] 10. The supernatural first cause was a being that had free will. [9] 11. A supernatural being created the universe. [10] 12. Therefore God exists. [11] Contention 3: God is a plausible explanation for the existence of consciousness, intelligence, creativity, logic, and reason. Neurologists have been working for years trying to explain the origins of consciousness. It is true that consciousness, emotions, and creativity have been partly explained by reference to the evolution and biochemical complexity of our species, but a purely reductionist approach to these phenomena is simply naï¿½ve. The purely naturalistic worldview is simply unable to account for the existence of love, compassion, creativity, and intelligence. If the entirety of existence is simply the product of atoms bouncing back and forth off each other how could anything like consciousness or creativity exist? With this understanding it is therefore plausible to think that certain aspects of what makes us human is rooted to some degree in the supernatural. And since I have shown that God is a plausible explanation for the existence of the universe it is therefore not unreasonable to conclude that the existence of God could explain these phenomena as well. Contention 4: The universe is fine tuned for the existence of life. Throughout the last hundred years of cosmological research scientists have determined that there are around two-dozen properties that govern the physical laws of the universe. [2] In this research they have also determined that if anyone of these properties were slightly different the universe would have collapsed in on itself or expanded to rapidly for stars to form. For example according to the physicist P.C.W. Davies if the (weak force) had been different by 1 part in 10 raised to the 100th power our universe would not be life permitting. [3] It's almost as if a super intellect has monkeyed with the laws of physics. Consequentially, if these values were even slightly different life as we no it would be impossible and you and I would not be having this debate. There are simply no plausible reasons to think that these values are logically necessary. Therefore we must ask ourselves why they would be fine tuned to such an astonishing degree. I maintain the existence of this fine-tuning constitutes indirect evidence that the universe was assigned purpose by a lawful God. ========= Conclusion ======== Arguments for the existence of God are inductive. Since there isn't absolute proof that would vindicate either side we must use our logic and reason to determine whether or not God exists. So far I have shown that God is a highly plausible explanation for the existence of the universe. Secondly, the universe is teeming with purpose that attests to the divinity of a supernatural creator. Moreover, the nature of humanity and the mere fact that life even exists despite all improbability attest to the existence of God. (Resolution affirmed) Sources: [1] http://en.wikipedia.org... [2] http://www.iep.utm.edu... [3] http://books.google.com... Good Luck :)