THEISM.

Freethought Review, Volume I, Issue 1, 1 October 1883, Page 6

THEISM.

The following is a resume of a paper on Theism, which was read at a meeting of the Wanganui Freethought Association on July 22 :

The affirmation of Theism is, that the ultimate cause and proper explanation of the universe is the existence of an intelligent Being, having attributes analogous to our own. The first argume.it in favour of Theism is the general concensus of mankind. Whatever men have universally accepted as true must be true ; men have universally believed that the universe is the product of a living mind; therefore, it must be true. The value of this argument is that it throws the burden of disproof on atheists. Unless unanswerable evidencefor atheism and against theism can be produced, itis more probable that the general belief is right than that the exceptional disbelief is so.

The second argument is that from Causality. Inasmuch as something is, something must always have been; and this eternal existence must be the cause of whatever else is. We cannot escape the necessity of thinking an eternal First Cause. The third argument is that from Design, We are obliged by the constitution of our mind to trace up the adaptations of means to ends everywhere visible in nature to a mind like our own in kind, though infinitely transcending it in the degree of wisdom and power. The universe reveals at all points thought and forethought,—purpose and plan; and we are compelled to postulate the existence of a great Being, whose handiwork it is. This necessity is not removed by lengthening the chain of natural causes. The fourth argument is the metaphysical. The idea of the Infinite and Absolute is a necessary idea of our reason ; therefore its existence is necessary. Man himself cannot be the highest being in the universe, since he can think of a higher. Our highest ideal cannot be devoid of reality. The fifth argument is the moral or practical. We are organised with the distinct purpose of becoming good, wise and blessed ; therefore, we must be the. creatures of a wise and holy Creator. Our nature demands an object of infinite love and adoration. If there be no God our nature is an anomaly, and we must be the most unblessed of all creatures. Further, we are blessed or cursed by conscience, which marks an eternal distinction between right and wrong, and demands obedience to the right. The dictates of conscience have a majesty and urgency which can belong only to a supreme moral personal will. To regard the moral law as a mere abstract idea would bring the moral imperative to ruins, and reduce mankind to rational and moral despair. The combined force of these arguments in favor of Theism is such as to make absolute atheism all but incredible, and to give to the belief in God the highest degree of rational probability. In view of these arguments, we may firmly plant our feet on this foundation : ‘‘ God is, and is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

REPLY. We have been favored with the following reply to the above by a member of the Wanganui Freethought Association : The affirmation of Theism sets out by destroying its Supreme Being. Man is conditioned by finite attributes. A Being with "analogous " attributes to man is therefore not infinite. First Argument. Neither the major nor the minor premiss of the syllogism is true. Men at one time universally accepted the theory that the sun went round the earth. Nor have men universally believed that the universe is the product of a living mind ; the aborigines of Australia, among others, to wit. The burden of disproof, therefore, is not thrown on atheists until at least the two first propositions of the syllogism are established. But they are false.

Second Argument. last sentence begs the whole question. The Argument is confused, and may mean anything, and therefore may exclude a First Cause, thus: “The universe is something. Something must always have been. Therefore the Universe

must always have been." Hence, God or the First Cause is got rid of by the Theist’s own argument. Third Argument.—Design in evolution shows for one adaptation myriads of misses, and seldom if ever perfect adaptation. The " Great Being,” therefore, is deficient in forethought or power. To postulate such a Being need not be seriously objected to. He would not be of much account if he did exist. But as the Being himself would show “ purpose and plan,” by the same argument he would require another Being to make him, and so on ad infinitum. The design argument therefore leads to a whole Pantheon of Gods creating each other in an endless chain. Fourth Argument. Here again we have the major proposition destitute of proof. The atheist does not think of a higher being. Nor can the finite mind have any just idea of infinity. Ideals are often imaginary, and at best are but a shadowy substance out of which to shapen gods. But the argument fails for want of the universal thought; and this is sufficient reply. Fifth Argument.—This argument appears to be more rhetorical than logical. If the " purpose ” is that mankind should become “ good, wise, and blessed," a " wise and holy Creator " cannot have the power to fulfil the purpose while millions are perishing through not being good, wise, or blessed. And thus we have wisdom and holiness out of all proportion to power. The attributes destroy one another. The existence of moral evil contradicts either the benevolence or the omnipotence. Conscience has no standard of right and wrong, but varies according to tendency and environment. Here it may be observed that if the Designer is reflected in the design, he must be a compound of good and evil as these qualities existin other words, the theistical moral argument leads to the conception of a Demon-Deity, Finally, “the combined force” of the arguments in favor of Theism is the equivalent of several minus quantities, showing no positive advance towards the proof of the existence of the Being shadowed forth. It may be added that the Atheist does not deny il, Avlcft2n / ' A „r C\r.A Up gimnlrr Hoc* rio cnTipon + inn r\f +bo tbitvY LilC CAI3ICUUU Ul VJUU. Alb Oxxxxjyx y XlctO nu ooii v. ciG xx WJL mo xxxiXi^ expressed by the word. It is for the Theist to demonstrate the existence of what he wants to prove. His efforts above will indicate how far he is from satisfying the demand.