Moral Argument

The moral argument for God Philosopher Philip Hallie who has seen the suffering may argue in the existence of the God, because some suffering is even hard to listen. We can see many suffering in today’s world which may cause us to doubt for the existence of God. Atheist challenge God’s existence and states that the morality we pose is irrelevant to the existence of God. Gottlob Frege said “the “evening star” and “morning star” appear at different times of the day and so have different senses” (332). Since, we are the creation of our father and even if his children deny him and argue we know that morality comes from God’s charisma and will. Ethical relativism comes in two forms: cultural relativism and individual relativism. Culture relativism shows that morality is a relative term. Author here talks that morality being a relative term, an ethical issue in one cultural might not be moral issue in other culture. He further adds by saying morality differs according to the location. Individual relativism is affected by cultural relativism, but ultimately morality depends on what an individual thinks.
Relativist supports their claim through two views; dependency and diversity thesis. “The dependency thesis assert that morality inherently depends on the cultural factors and no other factors” (333) I think this is very true because talking while eating is a bad manner in our home, but here many people go out to eat and catch up. In this regard we can say that dresses, PDA which is one of the biggest things is okay in western while immoral in my culture. “According to diversity thesis, the possible range of selection for behavior and mores is vast, and the different cultures have selected various arrangements, judging different things as normal or abnormal according to their specific situations” (334-335).The diversity thesis run on two reasons; first, even if the cultural condemns its basic moral judgment, this does not lead to the conclusion that these judgment are morally acceptable. Second, there is much less diversity in the moral values in the cultures around the world. I do agree with the second reason because I think the fundamental values in the western and eastern culture are the same.
Various people think that there is less progress and tolerance in our culture. Author gives us two situations regarding this claim. First, the tolerance is irrelative term because radical intolerant in religion in one part of the world and absolute freedom in other does not give relativist to name one cultural better than other just by judging tolerance. Second, the moral principle in one part of the world may not be true for other. I do agree with this because respecting elders is a must in our culture and which is not a must in the western culture.
Peter Berger said “Some acts are so desperately wicked that they demand a punishment greater than what earth has to offer.”(341) To support Berger statement we need to know what are those deeds which demand damnation. First, the condemnation must be “absolute and certain” (341) Second, these deeds make heaven cry, making these deeds punishable by earthly standard. Author points out to Nazi doctor who were experimenting with kids. Morality is relative term but when it is linked with individual it become meaningless. The same morality that is applied to other person becomes useless to one individual in same situation. So, I think morality comes from God and in every decision if I ask for his help he will provide me the way it might not be the easier one ,but will definitely be right way. Atheists often deny that morality comes from God. They state one cannot say with certainty what is right and wrong, it is relative term. “The moral life, no matter how demanding, ultimately fits the contours of the divine creation and providential history- and eternity.” (363)
The Argument form Religious Experience
There are two principles for religious experience first, the veridical experience. “Veridicality relates experience to truth claims” (364). This is the most common view which is also at the same time most hard to explain. People experience hallucination, mirage which can be confused often as veridical. So, I think there are people in this world who have seen and heard from the God, we know from the Bible Apostle Paul saw the vision and he was also guided by Holy Spirit. But, at the same time we need to be aware of those people who are using veridical experience for their personal benefit. Another principle by Richard Swinburne “principle of credulity” which states that “the skeptical notion that all truth claims and experiences- especially truth claims and experience about God- are guilty until proven innocent” (365). This theory makes it hard to prove the existence of God because we cannot justify every experience on the basis of other experience. The second principle by Swinburne as known as “principle of testimony” which states that “testimony are usually reliable” (365) Many believers have their personal testimony some of these life changing moment for a believer like me is true but this principle states we as human being should not assume that the person telling the testimony is deceiving us.
To explain the religious experience author will address;
The argument from emptiness and divine longing- Our human life is filled with misery, the true happiness which was once present in this very earth is gone and all we are trying hard to find its foot print. Pascal said that our life is filled with morality, finitude and sinfulness and all the human in this world are trying to find a diversion. He then adds that only “Jesus Christ uniquely answers the profound needs of humans, who cannot find adequate meaning and satisfaction in themselves or through worldly endeavors” (367). C.S Lewis describes in his autobiography in his life there were several experience which were beyond his grasp calling it as his true “joyous” moment in his life. All these proves that even in our emptiness we can be look for God resulting a transcendently experience. Numinous experience- According to Otto, “it refers to experiencing an object that is both transfixing and frightening” (370). Isaiah in Chapter six mentions such type of experience. Isaiah from this experience describes God as holy who is worshipped by angels and his glory fills the whole earth. On the other hand he sees himself as unholy, who is sinful in nature. But God so loved us that he send his only son so he could redeem us making this change a transformational phenomenon.
Nontheistic, mystical argument- Many atheists try to attack God arguing the existence of God. We know that God is omnipotent, but he is not a physical object who is located at one point of space. My religious experience cannot be measured or describe to an atheist making it harder for me to describe my understanding of God. In today’s world where God is taken out from school and public places and new children are feed more facts about Darwinism giving edge to atheist to exploit these areas. I think my experience is real and what I felt cannot be describe, but as a follower it’s my responsibility to make the wrong right. Feuerbach stated that the idea of God being omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence is human attribute which only leads to his non-existence. He further adds, more the people worship God more they are likely to become alienated from the world. I think every human is right for their own opinion and we should respect that, but as a follower it is my responsibility to show the love of Jesus to non-believer so they will be willing to seek the living God who is waiting for them to call his name.