Where Does Faith Fit In?
Posted by Central Assembly on November 30th, 2008
Pastor Jim Bradford. Engaging Faith Questions - Part 9. Recorded 11/30/2008, 10:30 am.
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December 2nd, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Hello again. Even doubt requires faith? Not hardly. Who is conclusively saying there is no god? I am an atheist because I say, “I do not believe that there is a god.” Or “You can’t prove there is a god.” You have responded, “But Jonathan, you are taking that on faith, you can’t prove that there is no god.” This is a bad response because I am not claiming that there is no god, just doubting that there is a god.
Let me give an example. Lets say that I am a jurist and must decide whether to find a man guilty or not guilty. Now the defense doesn’t have to prove that the defendant is innocent because I am not decided if he is guilty or innocent. The prosecutor mut prove the defendant is guilty. If there is a reasonable doubt as to the mans guilt, I must find him not guilty. Now, if there is proof (since we aren’t in court lets say compelling evidence) for gods existence, then I must believe, but if there is a reasonable doubt or no good evidence then I must not believe. Now in the absence of evidence for a god, I am not making the bold statement that there is no god. I am simply withholding belief until provided with adequate evidence. I do not take my doubt by faith. I accept the possibility that I may be wrong. And if presented with good evidence, I will change my position. Now let me ask a question. Do you think its possible that there is no good evidence because there might not be a god?
December 20th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Mr. Kraus, you make good points. It is on believers to prove there is a god, for you cannot prove a negative. It would be very poor logic indeed to request such a thing. However, reasonable doubt is not a logical argument in defense of your atheism. Unless I am misreading you, you are asking for absolute proof that a god exists. Such a thing is rare. For example, in biology, macroevolution has yet to provide absolute proof that it has occurred. In fact, many of the markers Charles Darwin stated as proof for his theory have never shown up. He stated that in the future (his future) millions of transitory creatures would have to be found in the fossil record to prove that macroevolution is the path of all life. Of course, this has not happened. So you see, it takes a quite a leap of faith to believe that we are all descendant from a single unicellular organism yet millions of scientists have jumped. Is it so strange to believe that a highly intelligent being manipulated matter to create all that is around us? It is certainly no more strange than contradicting everything we know about genetic structure to believe we descended from apes.
December 24th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Incredulity requires no defense. Skepticism is the default position with regards to any claim. I was talking to a friend of mine today. She asked me what would it take for me to believe in god. I said it would have to be independently verifiable and objectively reliable evidence. I really identify with Thomas from the Bible who asked to put his fingers through the holes in Jesus’ hands and his hand in Jesus’ side. In fact, if I could do that while sober and in the company of a few other skeptics armed with video cameras, I might be convinced. Of course the ultimate proof will be provided upon my death. See my comments on Pascal’s wager in the Is There A God episode’s comments.
As far as the theory of evolution is concerned. There is an overwhelming body of evidence. It is supported by our modern understanding of genetics and overwhelming fossil evidence. But do not take it on faith! Acquaint yourself with the evidence. Scientist chuck ideas that aren’t supported by the evidence, that is how science works. It is independently verifiable and objectively reliable. Here is a great resource for understanding evolution. http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/evo_01
As far as books go, I like “The Ancestor’s Tale” by Richard Dawkins but it is very long. He happens to be an atheist but this book is all science not the usual punditry.
If you like listening to pod casts, Evolution 101 is interesting and has a good break down of the molecular evidence for evolution.
The tilt of the earth is the reason for the season, but I can say Merry Christmas and if there is a god, God bless us everyone.