Irreligion

1. Arguments for God's existence are logically flawed and scientifically unsupported

"The so-called cosmological argument, which dates back to Aristotle and depends on the Big Bang theory of the origins of the universe (or some primitive precursor to it). It states that whatever has a beginning must have a cause and since the universe is thought to have a beginning, it must have a cause."

Flawed reasoning. Traditional arguments for God's existence, such as the cosmological argument, the argument from design, and the ontological argument, contain logical fallacies and unwarranted assumptions. For example, the cosmological argument assumes that everything must have a cause, but then exempts God from this requirement, creating a special pleading fallacy.

Lack of evidence. These arguments often rely on gaps in scientific knowledge or appeal to intuition rather than empirical evidence. As scientific understanding advances, the gaps that were once filled by divine explanations are increasingly explained by natural processes.

• Key flaws in arguments for God:
  • Infinite regress problem (What caused God?)
  • Special pleading (exempting God from rules applied to everything else)
  • Argument from ignorance (assuming God exists because we can't explain something)
  • False dichotomy (presenting only two options when more exist)

2. The complexity of the universe does not necessitate a divine creator

"Simple programs, he avers, can be used to explain space and time, mathematics, free will, and perception as well as help clarify biology, physics, and other sciences."

Emergent complexity. The apparent design and complexity in the universe can be explained by natural processes and emergent properties. Evolution by natural selection, for instance, demonstrates how complex biological systems can arise from simpler predecessors without the need for a designer.

Simple rules, complex outcomes. Mathematical models and computer simulations show that highly complex patterns and structures can emerge from simple rules. Stephen Wolfram's work on cellular automata and chaos theory illustrates how apparent complexity can arise from simple, deterministic processes.

• Examples of complexity from simplicity:
  • Fractal patterns in nature
  • Cellular automata (e.g., Conway's Game of Life)
  • Emergence in complex systems (e.g., ant colonies, economies)
  • Self-organizing systems in physics and chemistry

3. Subjective experiences and faith are not reliable evidence for God's existence

"I simply know. I feel Him in my bones" is one form taken by the argument from subjectivity for the existence of God.

Unreliable methodology. Personal experiences, feelings, and faith-based beliefs are subjective and not verifiable or falsifiable. They cannot be used as evidence in a logical or scientific argument for God's existence because they are not reproducible or testable.

Psychological explanations. Many religious experiences can be explained by psychological phenomena, such as cognitive biases, emotional needs, and altered states of consciousness. Neuroscience has made significant progress in understanding the brain mechanisms behind religious and mystical experiences.

• Factors contributing to religious experiences:
  • Confirmation bias
  • Pattern recognition (pareidolia)
  • Emotional states (awe, fear, ecstasy)
  • Cultural conditioning
  • Altered brain states (meditation, prayer, psychedelics)

4. Morality and ethics can exist independently of religion

"An atheist or agnostic who acts morally simply because it is the right thing to do is, in a sense, more moral than someone who is trying to avoid everlasting torment or, as is the case with martyrs, to achieve eternal bliss."

Evolutionary basis. Moral behavior and ethical reasoning have evolutionary roots in human social cooperation and empathy. These traits evolved because they conferred survival advantages to groups and individuals, not because they were divinely imposed.

Secular ethics. Philosophers have developed robust ethical frameworks that do not rely on religious foundations, such as utilitarianism, deontological ethics, and virtue ethics. These systems provide rational bases for moral decision-making without invoking supernatural entities or divine commandments.

• Arguments for secular morality:
  • Universal human rights
  • Social contract theory
  • Ethical naturalism
  • Moral philosophy (e.g., Kantian ethics, consequentialism)
  • Humanist values

5. The universality of mathematics does not prove divine design

"The universe acts on us, we adapt to it, and the notions that we develop as a result, including the mathematical ones, are in a sense taught us by the universe."

Natural origins. The apparent "unreasonable effectiveness" of mathematics in describing the physical world can be explained by the fact that mathematical concepts evolved from our interaction with the environment. Basic mathematical ideas like counting and geometry arose from practical needs and observations of the physical world.

Evolutionary adaptation. Our mathematical intuitions and abilities are the result of evolutionary processes that selected for brains capable of understanding and manipulating quantitative relationships. This explains why mathematics is so well-suited to describing the universe – our minds evolved to recognize and exploit these patterns.

• Examples of mathematics emerging from physical reality:
  • Counting and arithmetic from grouping objects
  • Geometry from spatial relationships
  • Probability from observing random events
  • Calculus from studying motion and change

6. Pascal's Wager and fear-based arguments for belief are irrational

"Pascal's wager notwithstanding, studies on crime rates (and other measures of social dysfunction) showing that nonbelievers in the United States are extremely underrepresented in prison suggest as much."

Logical fallacies. Pascal's Wager and other fear-based arguments for belief in God contain several logical flaws. They often present false dichotomies, ignore the possibility of multiple religions, and assume that belief can be chosen based on potential consequences rather than evidence.

Ethical problems. Basing one's belief on the potential for reward or punishment is ethically questionable. It promotes a self-interested approach to morality rather than genuine ethical behavior based on empathy, reason, and concern for others.

• Problems with Pascal's Wager:
  • Assumes only two options (Christianity or atheism)
  • Ignores the possibility of other religions
  • Assumes God would reward insincere belief
  • Fails to account for the cost of belief in this life
  • Relies on undefined probabilities and payoffs

7. Atheism and agnosticism are legitimate philosophical positions

"An atheist I'll take to be someone who believes that such an entity does not exist, and an agnostic I'll take to be someone who believes that whether God exists or not is either unknown, unknowable, or a meaningless question."

Rational skepticism. Atheism and agnosticism are based on the application of critical thinking and skepticism to religious claims. They represent a refusal to accept extraordinary claims without extraordinary evidence, which is a cornerstone of scientific and rational thought.

Philosophical tradition. Atheism and agnosticism have a long history in philosophy, with many respected thinkers arguing for these positions. They are not mere absence of belief, but often involve positive arguments against the existence of God or the coherence of religious concepts.

• Key points about atheism and agnosticism:
  • Atheism is the lack of belief in gods, not necessarily a claim to know gods don't exist
  • Agnosticism addresses knowledge claims, not belief
  • Both positions are compatible with scientific and philosophical inquiry
  • They often promote intellectual honesty and openness to evidence

8. Religion often stems from cognitive biases and psychological needs

"Innate cognitive biases and illusions are among the factors inclining people to believe in God (or, giving due weight to Mammon as well, to invest irrationally)."

Cognitive predispositions. Humans have evolved cognitive tendencies that can lead to religious beliefs, such as the tendency to see agency and intention in natural phenomena, and to seek patterns and meaning in random events. These biases can contribute to the formation and persistence of religious beliefs.

Psychological functions. Religion often serves important psychological needs, such as providing comfort in the face of death, offering a sense of purpose and meaning, and fostering social cohesion. These benefits can reinforce religious beliefs even in the absence of evidence.

• Cognitive biases contributing to religious belief:
  • Agency detection
  • Pattern recognition
  • Confirmation bias
  • In-group favoritism
  • Emotional reasoning
  • Anthropomorphism

9. Biblical stories and miracles lack historical evidence and scientific plausibility

"Unless we take literally and on faith the New Testament accounts of Jesus written many decades afterward (between 70 and 100 c.e.), we simply don't know what happened almost two millennia ago, at least in any but the vaguest way."

Historical uncertainty. Many religious stories, including biblical accounts, lack corroborating historical evidence outside of religious texts. The further back in time we go, the less reliable our historical knowledge becomes, making it difficult to verify claims of miraculous events.

Scientific implausibility. Miracles, by definition, violate the known laws of nature. From a scientific perspective, it is more likely that reports of miracles are the result of misunderstanding, exaggeration, or fabrication than actual supernatural events. The principle of parsimony (Occam's Razor) suggests favoring natural explanations over supernatural ones.

• Problems with miracle claims:
  • Lack of contemporary, independent documentation
  • Inconsistencies between different accounts
  • Natural explanations often available
  • Psychological factors (e.g., placebo effect, mass hysteria)
  • Tendency for stories to grow more miraculous over time

10. The problem of evil challenges the concept of an all-powerful, benevolent God

"God either wishes to take away evil and is unable, or He is able and unwilling, or He is neither willing nor able, or He is both willing and able."

Logical inconsistency. The existence of evil and suffering in the world is difficult to reconcile with the concept of an all-powerful, all-knowing, and perfectly good God. This problem, known as the "problem of evil," has been a major challenge to theistic beliefs for centuries.

Inadequate responses. Theistic attempts to resolve this problem, such as appeals to free will or the idea that suffering serves a greater purpose, often fall short of providing a satisfactory explanation. These responses either limit God's power, knowledge, or goodness, or require accepting morally questionable premises.

• Key aspects of the problem of evil:
  • Natural evil (e.g., earthquakes, diseases)
  • Moral evil (human-caused suffering)
  • Quantity and intensity of suffering in the world
  • Apparent randomness and unfairness of suffering
  • Suffering of innocent creatures (e.g., animals)

Last updated: September 6, 2024