Essay on Response to “on Being an Atheist” - 1531 Words

Response to â€Å"On Being an Atheist† By: Casandra Privette In his article, On Being an Atheist, H.J. McCloskey tried to show that atheism is a more reasonable and comfortable belief than that of Christianity. McCloskey argued against the three theistic proofs, which are the cosmological argument, the teleological argument and the argument from design. He pointed out the existence of evil in the world that God made. He also pointed out that it is irrational to live by faith. In my response, I will argue that McCloskey’s article is one-sided and thus flawed in his conclusion that atheism is more comforting than Christianity and when one examines all the evidence, Christianity is truly a source for great comfort today. McCloskey†¦show more content†¦God is all-powerful and can create something from nothing at His will. This was true in the Bible when God created Adam from dust and Eve from Adam’s rib. This could have also been true if God chose to use evolution as His means of creating the universe, which I don’t believe he did. The teleological argument begins from the fact that that the natural world appears to exhibit orders and designs and therefore there must be an intelligent designer. The philosopher, Thomas Aquinas, claimed that many entities in nature act for an end. Examples of this fact are animals, which are self-regulating. They have a will to survive in nature and the skills necessary for this survival. Man’s complex organ structure is another example of the work of an intelligent designer. It is impossible to explain the existence of these wonderful creations as happenstance cell mutation. After all, scientifically speaking, when cell mutation occurs, the results are usually not positive. They result in weaker, defective cells being produced. If man is more complicated than a monkey, how can this be a rational argument? McCloskey also went to great lengths to point out the existence of evil in the world that God made. He indicated that the existence of a perfect all-powerful God and the existence of evil in the world are mutually exclusive. He also stated that ChristiansShow MoreRelatedResponse to On Being An Atheist by H. J. McCloskey1599 Words   |  7 PagesMcCloskey in his article, On Being An Atheist claims that proofs or arguments which theists provide to support their belief â€Å"have no weight†. He speaks of this primarily in relation to the ontological argument, the argument which attempts to show that the very concept of God implies his reality. McCloskey believes that there is no point in debating on this particular proof because it has no bearing but the ontological argument serves as the very foundation for other arguments which supports andRead MoreMccloskey Responses1660 Words   |  7 Pagessponse Response Paper Stephanie Brockman PHIL 201 McCloskey Responses Introduction H. J. McCloskey gets most of his strong statements against the belief by asking the atheist to provide sufficient proof that God exists. However, McCloskey is not the only person who is unsure and asks questions God’s existence based on personal beliefs or influence. From the beginning many people have had questions about God and his existence. He wrote numerous books on atheism between 1960 and 1980 includingRead More Defense of Socrates Essay1590 Words   |  7 Pagesthan a minority. Socrates believes that this analogy to horses must be true of all animals and furthermore, for all people. Socrates utilizes this analogy to point out that Meletus’ overstatement is rather ironic, since according to Meletus all other beings except for the youth in the world are more likely to be corrupted by a majority rather than a minority. For this reason, it is more logical that the youth have been corrupted by a majority like the judges, senators, and the Athenians rather than oneR ead MoreDefense on Socrates Essay1619 Words   |  7 Pagesa minority. Socrates believes that this analogy to horses must be true of all animals and furthermore, for all people. Socrates utilizes this analogy to point out that Meletus overstatement is rather ironic, since according to Meletus all other beings except for the youth in the world are more likely to be corrupted by a majority rather than a minority. For this reason, it is more logical that the youth have been corrupted by a majority like the judges, senators, and the Athenians rather thanRead MoreAn Argument Against Atheism Based On The Existence Of Evil1442 Words   |  6 PagesAre there arguments for atheism based on the existence of evil that may rationally justify someone in being an atheist? 2) How can a theist defend this position against the argument for atheism based on the existence of evil? 3) What position should the informed atheist take concerning the rationality of their belief?† Rowe makes sure the reader known what kind of evil is being dealt with or is being used in the argument which is the central concept of the whole argument. He asserts that in order toRead MoreDoes God Exist? Considering the Philosophy of Ernest Nagel from a First Person1530 Words   |  7 PagesOne burning and enduring problem in philosophy to which we have given considerable examination is the question of the existence of God--the superlative being that philosophers have defined and dealt with for centuries. After reading the classic arguments of St. Anselm and St. Thomas Aquinas, the contentious assertions of Ernest Nagel, and the compelling eyewitness accounts of Julian of Norwich, I have been introduced to some of the most revered and referenced arguments for and against Gods existenceRead MorePhilosophy: Study Guide1406 Words   |  6 Pagesmaterial world, it is easy for non-believers to challenge Christians as to Gods existence (Chopra, 2000, p. 41). Christians on the other h and point to the creation of the Universe and to the natural world on Earth as evidence of a Creators work. The Atheist Philosophy There is no God Bertrand Russell is one among the list of well-known philosophers, writers and intellectuals that deny the existence of God. In Russells book, Why I Am Not A Christian: And Other Essays on Religion and Related SubjectsRead MoreThe Problem Of Evil And Atheism1187 Words   |  5 Pagesevil that could rationally justify atheism?† Supporting his question, Rowe by uses the idea of human and animal suffering.is it reasonable for omnipotent, omniscient being(s) to permits its creation to suffer by extinguish each other for their own personal benefits. If there is such a thing as an omnibenevolent, omnipotent holy being how come the ultimate and unescapable suffering is this world has no vanish. How good is a god(s) that permits humanity to suffer greatly? In religious Christian BibleRead MoreThe Persecution of Atheism in America Essay1357 Words   |  6 PagesWhy would someone be an atheist? Why do people fear and dislike atheism? Simply stated, atheism is the lack of belief in a g od or gods. Granted, atheists are each individuals and undoubtedly each of them prescribe [to] many different philosophies on life, politics and morality as do Christians. However, though atheists may choose to gather collectively for whatever purpose, unlike Christianity, atheism is not a belief system. An individual who identifies himself as an atheist is merely stating thatRead MoreEssay on The Problem of Evil1269 Words   |  6 Pagesmost interesting questions in the world is, â€Å"If a God exists, why is there evil in the world?† Most people respond with, â€Å"If God created the universe and us, then there should not be evil in the world,† when asked about God or any other powerful being. The problem of evil is also believed to be the cause of Atheism, and I do believe that there is a solution for this. The problem of evil is not a correct argument. The arguments from evil state that if there is a God who is omniscient, omnipotent