WannaLearn wrote:ok just forget that these are just questions I'm pick in up from an Atheist forum. Just how would you respond to the OP.
Let's see ...
Lots of arguments from ignorance here.
We don't know how te universe began or the so-called "first cause". Just because we don't know, though we have a wealth of information that gives us some ideas, that doesn't open the door to "goddidit".
Argument from ignorance? Really? Since when do metaphysical arguments are made in ignorance? If that's the case then he is undermining the very scientific foundation he claims to stand on.
As for earth being just right for us: For a start we EVOLVED to the conditions of the planet. And over 80% of the Earth's surface is hostile to humanity.
Talk about arguments from ignorance. 80% of earth's surface may be hostile to humanity but it most certainly is NOT hostile to life.
So, what was the first cause? God?
Yes, and it can be shown with metaphysical certainty.
What caused God?
From metaphysical principles again, by definition, God is uncaused.
God is eternal/timeless?
How do you know?
By definition (metaphysical certainty), the first cause must be transcendent, i.e. eternal, timeless, changeless, enormously powerful, and a personal agent with the freedom of the will to create (or not).
How do you know the universe isn't timeless?
Because the universe (and that it entails including the laws of physics (quantum or otherwise), gravity, biology chemistry, mathematics, etc) is contingent. Anything that is contingent must depend on a necessary entity for its existence (again, from metaphysical principles).
In order for your first cause argument to work, you need to make three assumptions:
Says who? But let's see nontheless:
1) God exists, despite being nonfalsifiable.
Of course God is falsifiable. All your friend has to do is tear down the metaphysical principles from which God is ascertained.
2) God has the ability to create universes.
3) God is timeless/eternal.
Those are not assumptions, they are metaphysical facts.
If I don't grant you those three assumptions, then you haven't proven God.
False.
Let me show you another way:
We'll assume there is a special particle called fleems. Fleems are undetectable, they can create universes, and they're eternal. Therefore, given that everything that exists has a cause and the universe exists, I have successfully proven fleems. Why don't you believe in fleems?
See my previous post on fleems.