...then can this great universe, which is endless, be self-created and come into existence from the action of matter and the elements? How self-evidently wrong is such a supposition!"
Inaccurate and wrongful suppositions are often
predicated upon a
lack of evidence. When the preponderance of evidence suggests a differing conclusion, we can expectantly conclude that mitigated or narrowly-focused assumptions are worthless and moot, and only serve to support the conclusions of the arrogant, the ignorant, the frightened - and for those that would wish to subjugate the confidently self-assured, the uninformed, and the fearful.
"Faith" is defined by Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary as; "
in general, the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true." If one can persuade oneself that a certain
perspective is "self-evident" as "truth", then some will perceive a "Creator" as a "self-evident Truth". Doesn't make it so.
With due respect to the quotable Abdu'l-Baha, circular reasoning/logic is neither persuasive nor compelling as any "proof" of (a) God.
How does man "know" that God is "perfect"?
Because a religious text (and loyal adherents) declares that it is so.
How can this be so?
Because God "wrote" the religious text, and He never lies (being perfect).
How do we know this to be so?
Because He "wrote" the religious text, which can not be "imperfect".
How can it not "imperfect"?
Because God is perfect, and He wrote the religious text.
But..then how does man "know" that God is "perfect"?
....and round and round she goes....
To those that seek to deflate/debunk the (often mischaracterized) "random", or "happenstance" explanations of human existence as supported by contemporary theories by asking; "
Well...tell me what existed before the Big Bang?"...my rebuttal borne of similar logic inquires - "'
Whom/what' came before God?", or "
Where/what did God come from?". If the answer is "
He's always been...", then how does this "truth" obviate a similar proposition that the cosmos may have equally "
...always been..."?
The evidence suggests (even from Genesis) that the cosmos existed
long before the advent of man's appearance - but the only evidence of a "Creator" seems to originate from the mind of man himself, as "proven" in religious texts that declare themselves as inerrant providors/promisors of "truth" - incidentally composed, compiled, and declared by...man.
Faith is "proof" of faith itself,
not proof of supernatural beings - just as
lack of faith is
not "disproof" of supernatural beings.
There is
no logical (nor empirically evidential) "proof " of any "god". There is only the rationalization of existence as put forth by the mind of man himself, and those that persuade themselves that a god can and
must exist in order to explain their
own existence. Fear and ignorance persists within mankind in the face of more evidential truths...that there are neither gods, nor supernatural masters of the universe...that neither reward man, nor punish man, for his own "self-evident", insignificant existence.
Sheesh! Hail to stone knives and bearskins!
How little has man's weapons and raiments changed over the millennia. Man
still fears things he can not explain, and ridicules/trivializes things he can not understand. How fortunate is man that a rare and brave few of man's own representatives have possessed the necessary courage to venture forth from the relative safety of their caves to further explore their world, and eventually question the assumptions of majority-held fears, folklore, and superstition.
Cheers to the first caveman that brought fire to his den to illuminate his modest domicile and collective clan that there was nothing to fear from the daily recurring darkness within; and that fire provided more than light and heat, but could also serve as wielded tool of man himself - to smelt metals, cook meat, and forge other tools to both facilitate his curiosity, and master his own potential beyond any entrenched/established limitations of discovery.
What is the purpose of intelligence and self-awareness if religiously inferred/mandated conclusions suggest/instruct that such distinct and unique qualities render man as impotent, weak, and powerless to effect his own destiny? Our mortal realm evidences creatures: more resistent to extremes of temperature and altitude; more swift; more acute in vision, hearing, touch, and smell; more powerful; more graceful; more beautiful; more proficient in reproduction; longer-lived; more peaceful, etc. What then is the measure of perfection? Of what consequence is intelligence in either attaining or representing perfection? Does awareness of mortality enhance or inhibit man's capacity for appreciation of his own existence? Has "truth" of the "evidences and proofs" of a god(s) made man stronger, swifter, larger, or wiser? What prophecies of man's destiny is offered from the gods, other than his ultimate destruction at the hand of the gods? What tale of optimistic outlook for the ultimate destiny of man is foretold by your god? If all of the cosmos is destined for inescapable doom, then what indeed is the point of a mortal existence? Why try to improve oneself, or one's own (or other's) situation? In the end, God is going to wipe it all out anyway. Is this the lone benefit of man's heightened intelligence and self-awareness - to fear "the end", and avoid/dismiss alternate possibilities in mere forbearance of unalterably pre-destined, godly-promised eventualities?
You continue to promote your adherence to "perfect" invisible entities that evidence no physical or logical reality. Keep to your comfortable cave, and wishfully hope that the bogeyman doesn't come get you in the night.
I'll optimistically stick with the imperfections of a mere mortal man, in better hopes of constantly purposed and meaningful destinies; borne of willful craft, insight, and intellectual curiosity - ever venturing into discovery and enlightenment of the unknown.
