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Evidence vs Proof

Before we start learning about Evidence attempt to prove if God exists, we have to define what Evidence and Proof actually mean.

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First we need to learn a new term: "Burden of Proof"

If  you get in an argument with an atheist, IE someone who doesn't believe in the existence of God, if he is academic, he'll say something like this:

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And since it's is a "Moral Standard", the entity which established it, must be intelligent and moralwith a moral absolute, which all beings reference. Therefore, God.

Historical Argument

It's covered in part in "Mere Christianity", but is also it is covered more extensively in "The Case for Christ".

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It states that every cause must have an effect. And if you track it backwards the very first event must have a cause, IE the formation of the universe. What is it?

How did the universe come to be? Was it self-create? Eternal? Created?

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Science has proven that the universe is not Eternal. It has a start and an eventual end.

Logically, then it must be created. Therefore God.

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Preconceived ideas and Conclusions

Now that we highlighted some of the main arguments, and please do read the references as this will help you wrap your mind around the arguments.

As I was say, now that we have an idea of the arguments for the existence of God, when we enter any discussion regarding the topic, we have When we enter any discussion in general, but especially when we are discussing the existence of God, we have to be aware that people come in with preconceived ideas and conclusions, including us.

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How many times do we go into an argument with an already a prepared list of responses.

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For example, lots of time we hear about a concept, but if we don't discuss it out loud and work through the details of these conceptsthis concept, the concept remains vague in our minds.

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It also plays an important role in understanding where the opposing point of view is coming from. What is their mental state is, etc.

For example, lots of people might have a problem with God because of some hard time they went through or because of some injustice they witnessed. If there is a God, then why do all these bad things happen. Bad things happen, therefore, there is no God.

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It is, therefore, important to ensure we have honest and thoughtful dialogue, where we listen, empathise and understand the other point of view even if we disagree with it.

Respect & Understanding

This helps us avoid the "strawman argument" trap.

A strawman is a fallacious argument that distorts an opposing stance in order to make it easier to attack. Essentially, the person using the strawman pretends to attack their opponent’s stance, while in reality they are actually attacking a distorted version of that stance, which their opponent doesn’t necessarily support.

For example, if someone says “I think that we should give better study guides to students”, a person using a strawman might reply by saying “I think that your idea is bad, because we shouldn’t just give out easy A’s to everyone”.

Respect & Understanding

This follows from the point above. Without listening we can not have dialogue. Without Dialogue we can not truly respect and understand.

I'll tell you an example, when they decided to check vaccine passports in the church I was and still am strongly against it. I think it creates segregation in the church which is anti-thesis to what the church stands for. God calls us to unity, not to keep a group out because of personal health choices.

I was expressing my opinion to someone and their response was, "I respect your opinion. I know lots of people are affected by the media". I'm like, dude, I didn't form my opinion because I was affected by the media. I actually gave this some serious thought.

This example highlights the lack of respect and understanding to the opposing point of view, which is a natural evolution of lack of dialogue. You don't have to agree with me, but at the same time do not belittle someone's argument even if you disagree with it.

Avoid Grand Posturing & Virtue Signalling

We all fall into this to some extent. We all love to be right. We all love to feel other's respect. But this is problematic, because if you always want to be right in a discussion, what you end up doing is trying to put down the other person's point of view. In effect making him feel dumb.

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follows from the point above. Without listening we can not have dialogue. Without Dialogue we can not truly respect and understand.

I'll tell you an example, when they decided to check vaccine passports in the church I was and still am strongly against it. I think it creates segregation in the church which is anti-thesis to what the church stands for. God calls us to unity, not to keep a group out because of personal health choices.

I was expressing my opinion to someone and their response was, "I respect your opinion. I know lots of people are affected by the media". I'm like, dude, I didn't form my opinion because I was affected by the media. I actually gave this some serious thought.

This example highlights the lack of respect and understanding to the opposing point of view, which is a natural evolution of lack of dialogue. You don't have to agree with me, but at the same time do not belittle someone's argument even if you disagree with it.

Avoid Grand Posturing & Virtue Signalling

We all fall into this to some extent. We all love to be right. We all love to feel other's respect. But this is problematic, because if you always want to be right in a discussion, what you end up doing is trying to put down the other person's point of view. In effect making him feel dumb.

And the harder we go after the "always right" syndrome, the more we start using strawman arguments to make ourselves look better, "grand posturing", and show how good we are and how much we understand and how virtuous we are, "Virtue Signalling".

This spirit goes completely against the thesis I stated above. If our goal in discussing the Existence of God with others is to bring them to God, then we are definitely not achieving our goal.

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1. To be convinced and secure in God's love
   1. Although arriving to the conclusion of God's existence alone is not enough to satisfy the point above. We have to go further and to truly know him and have a relationship with him. 

   2. 
      

      Tip
      icon false title James 2:19
      You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is [h]dead?

      
      

2. To share the good news with others

We To think through these two points, we started off by understanding Evidence vs Proof. This helps in creating guidelines for what form the discussion will take.

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To counter act these perceived ideas we need to listen and understand the other side's point of view. Listen to Understand not Listen to Respond.

This will aid us with engaging in true Dialogue, and not simply just talk over each other.

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However, this relationship is easily ruined by always wanting to be right, which leads us to make the other side feel dumb and in significantinsignificant.

By avoiding grand posturing and virtue signalling we can focus on the real goal which is loving the other person and wanting the best for them. As St. Paul said, "Knowledge puffs up but love edifies". Our goal is to seek the edification of ourselves and others. We should always seek to grow in Truth (IE Jesus) and to share this Truth (IE Jesus) with others in humility and meekness.