Response Paper
Response Paper
Jostin Holmes
PHIL 201
February 2015
In 1968, a article was published by a man named H.J. McCloskey called “On Being an Atheist”, in which an attempt to present arguments against the existence of God is made. In his work, McCloskey attempts to provide readers with the argument that atheism is more “reasonable and comfortable (McCloskey,1968)” compared to the alternative theistic view. In his article, McCloskey attempts to make arguments against the three typical theistic proofs of God which includes the cosmological and teleological arguments, along with the argument from design. McCloskey uses the existence of evil and the irrationalness off faith against the theistic view of God. At the beginning of the article it seems that an intriguing argument will be made regarding the theistic view point of God, yet as McCloskey continues the argument becomes more biased in attacking spiritual beliefs which questions his validity. In regards to how McCloskey presents his argument, the word “proof” is uniquely placed in an attempt to guide the reader through biased language. The argument that atheism is more reasonable and comfortable than theism is strictly opinionated. Many may view this stand in an opposite light using theistic theories to establish points. McCloskey does not present his arguments as theories, yet as fact; though there is no proof provided. Theistic theories accept that the argument cannot be proven one hundred percent for either side. McCloskey uses the belief in irrational faith to argue against a theists belief in God stating “ most theists do not come to believe in God as a basis for religious belief, but come to religion as a result of other reasons and factors (McCloskey, 1968).” A common view of this belief in today’s society is that individuals use religious beliefs as a crutch in difficult circumstances. It is important to recognize that there are some individuals that will fall into this category, yet
Jostin Holmes
PHIL 201
February 2015
In 1968, a article was published by a man named H.J. McCloskey called “On Being an Atheist”, in which an attempt to present arguments against the existence of God is made. In his work, McCloskey attempts to provide readers with the argument that atheism is more “reasonable and comfortable (McCloskey,1968)” compared to the alternative theistic view. In his article, McCloskey attempts to make arguments against the three typical theistic proofs of God which includes the cosmological and teleological arguments, along with the argument from design. McCloskey uses the existence of evil and the irrationalness off faith against the theistic view of God. At the beginning of the article it seems that an intriguing argument will be made regarding the theistic view point of God, yet as McCloskey continues the argument becomes more biased in attacking spiritual beliefs which questions his validity. In regards to how McCloskey presents his argument, the word “proof” is uniquely placed in an attempt to guide the reader through biased language. The argument that atheism is more reasonable and comfortable than theism is strictly opinionated. Many may view this stand in an opposite light using theistic theories to establish points. McCloskey does not present his arguments as theories, yet as fact; though there is no proof provided. Theistic theories accept that the argument cannot be proven one hundred percent for either side. McCloskey uses the belief in irrational faith to argue against a theists belief in God stating “ most theists do not come to believe in God as a basis for religious belief, but come to religion as a result of other reasons and factors (McCloskey, 1968).” A common view of this belief in today’s society is that individuals use religious beliefs as a crutch in difficult circumstances. It is important to recognize that there are some individuals that will fall into this category, yet