Argument from inconsistent revelations: Difference between revisions

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The '''Argument From Inconsistent Revelations''' is based upon the many number of interpretations of [[Holy text]]s and [[Scripture]].  If Scripture was revealed to man by [[God]], and God is infallible, then all revelations would be the same, inerrant text.
The '''Argument from inconsistent revelations''' is based upon the many number of [[interpretation]]s of [[holy text]]s and [[scripture]].  If scripture was revealed to man by [[God]] and God is infallible, then all revelations would be the same, inerrant text (notwithstanding necessary linguistic and, perhaps, cultural differences).


But contradictions and vagaries, still remain in the [[Bible]], and other holy texts of other [[religion]]s.  As a result, there are many different groups of people, with many different [[interpretation]]s.
But contradictions and vagaries still remain in the [[Bible]] and the holy texts of other [[religion]]s.  As a result, there are many different groups of people with many different interpretations.


So, therefore, God cannot exist in the capacity that [[Christian]]s say he is, because his own writings betray his capacity for error, or betray his non-existence.  Either God is fallible, or humans wrote the Bible and God was not involved.  Needless to say, Christians don't like either of those possibilities.
Thus, God cannot exist in the sense that [[Christian]]s claim, because his own writings betray his capacity for error — or betray his non-existence.  Either God is fallible, or humans wrote the Bible and God was not involved.  Needless to say, Christians don't like either of those possibilities.


==Argument from Existence of Atheists==
==Argument from existence of atheists==
''Main article: [[Argument from nonbelief]]''
:''Main article: [[Argument from nonbelief]]''


Closely related is the '''argument from existence of [[atheist]]s''':
Closely related is the '''argument from existence of [[atheist]]s''':
# God is [[omniscient]].
# God is [[omniscient]].
# God is [[omnipotent]].
# God is [[omnipotent]].
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# Therefore, the god described by the first three conditions does not exist.
# Therefore, the god described by the first three conditions does not exist.


Of course, an apologist could reply to this by saying that atheists ''do'' know that God exists but are just denying him out of stubbornness.  Indeed, this response has been used many times by different apologistsHowever, though some non-believers do disbelieve just out of stubbornness, most have good reasons for their disbelief and thus this response isn't useful to the apologist.
Of course, an apologist could reply to this by saying that atheists ''do'' know that God exists but are just denying him out of stubbornness.  Indeed, this response has been used many times by different [[apologist]]sAdmittedly, some non-believers do disbelieve simply out of stubbornness, but most have good ''reasons'' for their disbelief, and thus this response isn't an effective one.


==See Also==
==See also==
[[Outsider test]]
*[[Outsider test]]


[[Category: Arguments]]
[[Category:Arguments]]
[[Category: Arguments against the existence of God]]
[[Category:Arguments against the existence of God]]
[[Category: Empirical arguments]]
[[Category:Empirical arguments]]

Revision as of 00:53, 26 August 2007

The Argument from inconsistent revelations is based upon the many number of interpretations of holy texts and scripture. If scripture was revealed to man by God and God is infallible, then all revelations would be the same, inerrant text (notwithstanding necessary linguistic and, perhaps, cultural differences).

But contradictions and vagaries still remain in the Bible and the holy texts of other religions. As a result, there are many different groups of people with many different interpretations.

Thus, God cannot exist in the sense that Christians claim, because his own writings betray his capacity for error — or betray his non-existence. Either God is fallible, or humans wrote the Bible and God was not involved. Needless to say, Christians don't like either of those possibilities.

Argument from existence of atheists

Main article: Argument from nonbelief

Closely related is the argument from existence of atheists:

  1. God is omniscient.
  2. God is omnipotent.
  3. God wants everyone to believe in him.
  4. Since God is omniscient, he knows exactly what demonstration would convince any given person that he exists.
  5. Since God is omnipotent, he is capable of performing this demonstration.
  6. Since God wants everyone to believe in him, he wants to perform this demonstration.
  7. However, atheists manifestly exist.
  8. Therefore, the god described by the first three conditions does not exist.

Of course, an apologist could reply to this by saying that atheists do know that God exists but are just denying him out of stubbornness. Indeed, this response has been used many times by different apologists. Admittedly, some non-believers do disbelieve simply out of stubbornness, but most have good reasons for their disbelief, and thus this response isn't an effective one.

See also