Proof of God (Updated from 10/3/14)

 

“I believe in everything until it's disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons, it all exists, even if it's in your mind. Who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here and now?”

-- John Lennon

I think most of us can agree that God doesn't look like Michelangelo's depiction on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. As a matter of fact, I remember someone telling me if you actually saw God you would go blind, and if you heard God you would go deaf, so tremendous is the presence of the Almighty. So, if we can't describe "God" without going blind, deaf, and insane, how do we prove the existence of God?

Well, supposedly in God's own words (Revelation 1:8): 

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." 

What else, do we theorize, was in existence at the beginning and will be here in the end? I would guess, energy.  But, who am I to venture a guess?

When Moses asked God how to describe Him, God responded (Revelation 3:13-14): 

Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' "  

God simply is and, it would seem, this is all we need to concern ourselves with. 

Taoist philosophy explains the "Tao" in similar terms:  

"The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.  The name that can be named is not the eternal name.  The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth."

I have come to believe that my God is comprised of, yes, I'll say it, pure energy.  The "God Particle" perhaps?  It meets my criteria for God's description in Catholicism's "lesser doxology" which states:

"Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end."  

Everything, all matter, is made up of atoms and molecules, and those elusive "God" particles, so it makes sense that man was created in "His image," energy, so to speak.  And, no pun intended, but everything would be, for that matter.

Philosophically, there is good and bad energy.  We hope to live a good life and stay away from the bad "vibes" that would threaten our peace and tranquility, the "dark side of the force," if you will.  If we can agree to simply define "God" as the ultimate power of good in the universe, or just a power which we can learn to draw "good" from as we become more attuned to it, would this philosophy not suit atheists as well?  Maybe it would.  But, wouldn't it also depend on the atheist?  Do they have issues with simply admitting to ultimate creative power, or is it more about admitting the ultimate creative power can think and reason?

It would seem most atheists are content being constantly at odds with theists, instead of looking for any common ground.  Atheists are first to put responsibility for "proof" of God on the theists, and theists seem to always buy into any invitation atheists present for an argument.  Atheists who broach the subject of proving God, and theists who buy into arguments, miss the entire point of spiritual faith.  Faith, by definition, is a belief in something for which there is no proof.  If neither side has any proof one way or the other, then why argue at all?  Personally, I think theists have such faith we should care less what an atheist believes.  They will simply crowd up the afterlife.  Better they should just pass quietly into death, as is their belief.

If an atheist requires proof of God, prior to surrendering any disbelief on their part, then the impetus for such proof should be with them, since disbelief and lack of faith are also theirs.  I have never understood why the faithful browbeat disbelievers until they piss them off.  I guess I've always felt that, if you have faith, ta-dah!  Good for you!  If you don't have faith, who really cares?  Then again, the faithful would argue it is incumbent on all people of good faith to care about the eternal souls of the brothers and sisters around us.  This idea of responsibility for others is, as the saying goes, our cross to bear.

I offer an excerpt, below, and ask that you do some homework for yourself.

Posted on EveryStudent.com, Marilyn Adamson, a former atheist, gave several "proofs" of God's existence which I found compelling.  I posted one of her arguments here, and pasted the link to her entire article for you to read at your leisure:

"All instruction, all teaching, all training comes with intent. Someone who writes an instruction manual does so with purpose. Did you know that in every cell of our bodies there exists a very detailed instruction code, much like a miniature computer program? As you may know, a computer program is made up of ones and zeros, like this: 110010101011000. The way they are arranged tells the computer program what to do. The DNA code in each of our cells is very similar. It's made up of four chemicals that scientists abbreviate as A, T, G, and C. These are arranged in the human cell like this: CGTGTGACTCGCTCCTGAT and so on. There are three billion of these letters in every human cell!!

Well, just like you can program your phone to beep for specific reasons, DNA instructs the cell. DNA is a three-billion-lettered program telling the cell to act in a certain way. It is a full instruction manual. 

Why is this so amazing? One has to ask....how did this information program wind up in each human cell? These are not just chemicals. These are chemicals that instruct, that code in a very detailed way exactly how the person's body should develop. 

Natural, biological causes are completely lacking as an explanation when programmed information is involved. You cannot find instruction, precise information like this, without someone intentionally constructing it."

-- EveryStudent.com, Is There a God? 

Interesting concepts, unless you're an atheist.  In 2003, James Skemp on his blog, StrivingLife, took a look at Ms. Adamson's article.  I have listed an excerpt of a comment he made about it, and have included the applicable link so you can refer back and contemplate my response:

"While Adamson is quite correct, I do hope that she is not asking us to keep an open mind, much like many people who attempt to show God's existence hope us to do. The reason I'm troubled by this thought (of her suggesting an open mind) is best summed up by Ayn Rand, who has given some interesting advice, worthy of notice. Let us then, instead/to be sure, keep an 'active mind' instead.

-- StrivingLife.com, Response to "Is There a God?" 

I have a better idea for James.  How about we all keep an open and active mind.  Open your mind enough to let in the possibility of what Adamson proposes, prior to being actively critical of it.  If you opt to read Skemp's response, I think you'll agree he changes the rules to suit his agenda.  This is not to say I don't think they both have good points, but you can't paint her points in a different light so they fit your response, and this seems to be his forte.

Atheists don't own the mantle of dissent, theists are just as culpable; theists against atheists.  This would seem to be the world we have created; divisiveness to the very end, with no possibility of common ground.  We do this in discussions of politics, race, gender, sexual orientation, and so much more.  It's not as though there is enough ground in the universe to find some commonality, it just seems like neither side of a conversation is willing to budge.

For theists, there is no downside to a belief in "God," regardless of definition.  If they die and there is no God, they won't realize it.  There will be no harm, no foul, no nothing.  Theists may have wasted a bit of free time, but they were happier for it while they existed.  For atheists, there would seem to be a big downside.  If they die, and there is a God... oops.  Welcome to hell... or, oblivion.

I have often wondered, given the opportunity, just before death, if an atheist would opt to pad their bet and open their mind, you know, just in case.  Hey!  What could it hurt?  It beats simply being dead... forever because you expect nothing.

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch - it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either view any more right or wrong than the other. Opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form their own opinions, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint.

I fervently hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning those opinions offered. After twenty-three years of military intelligence, I believe that engaging each other in this manner, and in this arena, is a way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience... and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. Following his service career, he spent 17 years working with the premier and world-renowned Western Institutional Review Board, helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. He also served 8 years on the Board of Directors for the Angela J. Bowen Foundation.

Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As a weapon for his war on intolerance, he chose the pen. He wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's personal, spiritual path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony at: tolerantpastor@gmail.com