Top Ten Lesser Known Arguments for the Existence of God
For those familiar with Christian apologetics you will know of the long standing arguments that are often employed to argue for the existence of God.
The Kalaam Cosmological Argument impossibility of an infinite regress of physical causes and effects.
The Teleological Argument The glaring evidence of design within the universe, the world, and the human body (not just the “appearance of design†as Richard Dawkins asserts to his embarrassment).
The Moral Argument That mankind is governed by an objective morality that with which we seem to innately identify.
The Ontological Argument This one is tough - God is the greatest conceivable being therefore because we can conceive of Him, it stands to reason He does in fact exist.
Well seeing as how the above arguments are quite convincing it is understandable that the lesser known arguments go unused and even unnoticed.
It is often said that the best way to go about the study of God is by studying man. I feel that the arguments listed below accurately reflect the human condition and subsequently point to something outside of ourselves to which we often appeal. So I think they are at least worthy of consideration.
10. The Road Rage Argument That more people not succumbing to road rage is evidence of God existence. That I don’t succumb to road rage personally is evidence of His existence. Have you ever been stuck behind a long line of soccer moms creeping along in their SUVs drinking Starbucks and talking on their cell phones in Peachtree City? Oh I have, and the fact that I haven’t climbed out of my vehicle (Dukes of Hazzard style) to pummel them is evidence that God exist. (Evidence of common grace as well but I digress…)
9. The Stop Looking at Me Argument again, this is to do with mankind’s ability to constrain their wrath. How many times a day has a mom or dad heard one of their children say to another “Stop looking at me”? It isn’t simply the words said but the sound that accompanies it. A sound which echoes throughout the house or car with such volume, that it has been know to draw blood from even the most resilient ear drum. That parents don’t lose their sanity completely from such things is evidence that God exists.
8. The Stop Touching Me Argument - this mimics the Stop Looking at Me Argument. (These two can be used interchangeably.)
7. The Post Office Argument Standing in line at the post office as apathetic postal workers shuffle back and forth at a sloth like pace can try even the most patient of souls. That we can do this and still avoid jumping on the counter and wrapping their heads with packing tape and bubble wrap whilst screaming WHY ARE YOU SO SLOW is evidence God exist.
6. The Hammered Thumb Argument at one point or another when one is engaging in their woodworking hobby, or hanging a picture, or taking the DIY approach to home improvement, they will invariably hit their thumb with a hammer. Upon this happening assent is always given to God to where His very name is called out. Moreover God is petitioned with a request to send damnation upon the situation. Not only does this evidence God’s existence it displays an inherent knowledge that God has the ability to damn things.
5. The How Did They Miss That? Argument it would seem that even the most harden atheist finds himself looking upward when viewing (insert name of any given sporting event here) as to ask “why?!!” when a ball is fumbled, or a player fouls out, or gets the red card, or the clock runs down in the final game of the season leaving them with the harsh realization that they have to wait yet another year for it to be “there year”. One looks up as to ask God, why did this happen. Is their no justice? The involuntary action of looking upwards for the answers points to God being there. He is there and He is not silent. (Not silent because He is laughing at the horrible defense in the game.)
4. The Britney Spears Argument upon seeing the latest footage of Britney Spears on the news the words “Oh My God are often spoken. This is not only an argument for God’s existence but one against Deism as the phrase “Oh My God” contains the possessive pronoun my which indicates a relational aspect between God’s existence and our own.
3. The Dial-Up Argument For those in this world still on a dial-up internet connection, (yes I know you are out there and maybe reading this albeit 15 hours after clicking on the link that led to this blog) prayers to God for it (anything) to download faster are often heard. In some way people are aware of God’s sovereign hand on all situations, including sluggish downloads on slow internet connections and they plead with Him for whatever it is to hurry up already!
2. The Windows Argument this argument became somewhat outmoded when XP was introduced. However in a bygone era called B.XP (Before XP), the PC user would routinely be met with the now infamous “Blue Wall of Death” and end up calling out God’s name. And like those exampled in the Hammered Thumb Argument requests for damnation (on their computer [and Bill Gates]) were frequent.
*** With the advent of Vista however this argument is now more relevant than ever. Nothing works with Vista, and God is frequently called upon as a result. Requests for damnation at an all time high…
1. The Maxwell House Argument This is probably my favorite argument. I once heard Greg Koukl I believe it was say that he is an atheist before his first cup of coffee. I can certainly identify with such a statement. I think coffee governs a lot of the situations found within the other arguments. So it is my contention that because coffee exist therefore God exist. “I drink, therefore I AM’.
These are just a few of the lesser known arguments for the existence of God. If you find that you have exhausted all efforts in presenting the more popular (as in the reasonable and sound arguments) from the former list, then go for the absurd with the latter.
Godspeed to you all!
Carrie Hunter
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- Top Ten Lesser Known Arguments for the Existence of God
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- Internet Monk, Coffee Cup Apologetics: Five Limitations of Apologetics
- Top ten reasons why the emerger didn’t cross the road?
- Conversations with an Atheist Concerning the Irrationality of Atheistic Rational
JoanieD on 30 Jan 2008 at 5:47 pm #
Very funny, Carrie! I am fortunate in that the post office I frequent is run by VERY efficient, very friendly people. I marvel at their patience and know that I couldn’t begin to do the good job they do at dealing with the public.
And reading what you wrote about Vista, I think I am very happy to be here with my XP. For years we worked with an old computer with dial-up, Windows 95, etc and we were so often seeing that Blue Wall of Death you speak about. And yes, I called on God often, “Please God, just let this page load. Please.”
Hmmm, so what “funny” thing could I add to your list? Well, I don’t know that it is funny, but having fallen four times on the ice this winter and not having broken any bones yet is testament to God’s existence. (Tongue in check, folks. I could break my leg tomorrow and I will STILL believe in God.) Actually, ANY time I make it from one place to another in my vehicle in horrible weather is testament to God’s existence: “God, please don’t let that car slide into me.” “God, just one more mile and I will be safe.”
Joanie D
Mike on 30 Jan 2008 at 5:53 pm #
Missed one….
The Gnostic Fruit techie arguement -
Only certain people are able to create both proper computers and devices to listen to audio feeds. Their relics come in pretty boxes with a certain fruit on them. You must submit to their closed system and admit they are the one true Way, and then they will introduce you to their secret knowledge and prophet , Steve Jo…err I mean God.
Seth R. on 30 Jan 2008 at 7:37 pm #
Let’s play a little logic game here.
I want to reach out and touch my computer screen.
Suppose I am able to gauge accurately and traverse half the distance to the screen. Then I move my hand half again toward the screen. Then half again, and again, and again.
I can never reach my computer screen at this rate. Each time I get one half the distance closer and each time I have not reached the screen. Ad infinitum.
The fact is, there is infinitely segmentable space separating my hand from the computer screen. Yet, logically, each segment must be traveled and passed by my hand, in order for me to reach my computer screen. I therefore, must complete an infinite number of steps before I can touch the screen.
This is logically impossible. Therefore, I should not be able to touch my computer screen.
The problem is, obviously I can touch the screen. Just did it in fact.
The infinite regress argument presents the exact same artificial parameters and the same nonsensical result. Sure you can rig the logical parameters in such a way as to demand an absolute beginning to the universe. But disproving it is as simple as merely reaching your hand out and touching your computer screen.
I like some of the other arguments well enough. But infinite regress is nothing more than an artificial logic game that does not represent the true reality of things.
Seth R. on 30 Jan 2008 at 7:59 pm #
Sorry to be a wet blanket. Obviously the rest of the post was meant to be lighthearted and I didn’t mean to come stomping in with dour-faced rebuttals.
Phil Smoke on 30 Jan 2008 at 8:53 pm #
No - thank you Seth. I know old Zeno’s Paradox, but I hadn’t thought about it in relation to infinite regress before. I’ll have to think about this…
Carrie Hunter on 30 Jan 2008 at 8:55 pm #
Joanie thanks for the reply! That you haven’t broken any bones is, yes, a very good appeal to the existence of God!
SethR - Not a problem. Thanks for your thoughts on a very complex subject!
Mike - oh my goodness… THAT was better than anything on my list! Sweet!! haha
Carrie Hunter on 30 Jan 2008 at 8:57 pm #
Hi Phil,
Thanks for your reply but this blog is meant to be completely for purposes of comic relief.
We have other blog topics as well as the forum where more serious issues can be discussed.
Thanks for your reply though!
Jason on 31 Jan 2008 at 1:02 am #
SethR, your game is rigged.
There is only a finite distance between your hand and the screen, it doesn’t matter how many divisions you make you can always sum the infinite series and reach the screen.
If the universe has a beginning then there is a finite distance to it, regardless of how distant it is. You could potentially, though not actually, reach it.
If the universe is of infinite age then no matter how far you progress you could never reach a beginning because it will always be the same distance from you as when you start.
Theoretical infinities can exist, infinite sets are able to exist in mathematics, but I see no reason to believe an actual infinity can exist.
An infinite regress is effectively like counting to infinity, and only Chuck Norris has ever done that (and he did it twice).
Seth R. on 31 Jan 2008 at 1:46 am #
Well Jason, I don’t think that quite satisfies the issue, but I’m not sure I should really get into it since Carrie asked to keep it light.
I’m forced to admit though, I got nothin’ on Chuck Norris.
Carrie Hunter on 31 Jan 2008 at 1:30 pm #
For further discussion on Kalaam, in a more serious setting, y’all can go here to the forum.
Thanks everyone!
Carrie
Claudette Nicholas on 31 Jan 2008 at 3:09 pm #
That was hilarious Carrie….very clever!
Carrie Hunter on 31 Jan 2008 at 3:55 pm #
Thanks Claudette! I have my funny moments from time to time.
Seth R. on 31 Jan 2008 at 3:59 pm #
I’m not registered on that forum and initial attempts to register failed. So someone else will have to post what I wrote. You guys are welcome to have at it though.
Vance on 31 Jan 2008 at 6:34 pm #
Very funny!
For me, the number one reason to believe there is a God and that he loves us:
SEX!
This is just WAY too good NOT to be of divine origin!
Jason on 31 Jan 2008 at 10:35 pm #
I’ll take your word for it Vance.
Vance on 01 Feb 2008 at 12:21 am #
Benjamin Franklin said it was beer, but I don’t like beer!
Jason on 01 Feb 2008 at 5:27 am #
Monteith’s Summer Ale, we get it here in New Zealand.
They also do Winter Ale. Basically seasonal beer that really tastes good.
luther007 on 01 Feb 2008 at 10:17 am #
Some other lesser known arguments…
DIVINE COMEDY ARGUMENT -
(also known as a Dante) - A man went parachuting for the first time and he opted to jump solo. He jumped and after a few seconds of freefall he pulled his ripcord and the entire main shoot ripped off his back, as it had not been tied in to his pack properly. He began to tumble out of control, and all seemed lost; but he regained stability, pulled his secondary shoot which deployed properly, and he began his slow decent to earth. When about 100 feet from the surface he drifted into high power lines where he was electricuted. He survived coursing of 100,000’s of volts through his body only to fall a long distance and break his leg. This proves that God has a sense of humor, and hence must exist to have attributes. (Oh and if you dont believe this story, there is a video…google it)
CLOWN ARGUMENT -
Clowns scare the hell out of me…therefore there is a hell, and hence there must be a God who made hell. {this is also known as the spider argument, snake argument, germ argument (for our OCD brethern) and the “look my wife gives me after I say stupid stuff” argument.}
SUFFERING SERVANT ARGUMENT -
P1.) My wife listens to Enya P2.) This is pure suffering, but I endure it for the sake of righteousness P3.) However, as science has shown, it is humanly impossible for males to endure the playing of Enya, especially in their own car. C.) Hence there must be a God who enables me to endure it.
Pax Christi…Carrie
Carrie Hunter on 01 Feb 2008 at 2:19 pm #
Nick you are too much!!! hahaha …
Pax Christi to you my brotha…
Carrie Hunter on 01 Feb 2008 at 2:25 pm #
Well kia ora Jason.
Where in New Zealand are you?
I have loads of new “friends” I have met from there.
Do tell…
North Island? South Island?
Are you as big a fan of all the amazing music from there as I am?
Arguments for God « Seminarian on 07 Feb 2008 at 8:17 pm #
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