Does a God Does a God Exist?Exist?

The rational argumentThe rational argument

By Hamza Andreas TzortzisBy Hamza Andreas Tzortzis

Does a God Does a God Exist?Exist?

The rational argumentThe rational argument

By Hamza Andreas TzortzisBy Hamza Andreas Tzortzis

Presentation for the Presentation for the ““Does a God Exist” Does a God Exist”

Derby debate with Mike LakeDerby debate with Mike Lake

3rd November 20073rd November 2007

IntroductionIntroduction

My backgroundMy background www.theinimitablequran.comwww.theinimitablequran.com hamzatzortzis.blogspot.comhamzatzortzis.blogspot.com Today’s discussionToday’s discussion

– Frank, honest and open dialogueFrank, honest and open dialogue– Rational discussionRational discussion– Not an irrational emotional argumentNot an irrational emotional argument

Setting the SceneSetting the Scene

Emotional arguments are invalidEmotional arguments are invalidE.g. Cancer is an unfortunate reality, no one E.g. Cancer is an unfortunate reality, no one

wants to get cancer. In fact everybody wants to get cancer. In fact everybody hates cancer. However, just because it has hates cancer. However, just because it has negative effects on our health and our negative effects on our health and our lives doesn’t NEGATE the fact that it existslives doesn’t NEGATE the fact that it exists

Every emotional argument has many Every emotional argument has many perspectives, including a positive perspectives, including a positive perspectiveperspective

Therefore, emotional arguments are Therefore, emotional arguments are irrelevant to this discussionirrelevant to this discussion

The ApproachThe Approach The Islamic perspectiveThe Islamic perspective

– Searching for truth is based upon evidenceSearching for truth is based upon evidence– There is no blind thinking or blind adoption of There is no blind thinking or blind adoption of

the Islamic creedthe Islamic creed

When it is said to them: When it is said to them: "Come to what God has revealed; come to "Come to what God has revealed; come to the Messenger": They say: "Enough for us the Messenger": They say: "Enough for us

are the ways we found our fathers are the ways we found our fathers following." What! Even though their fathers following." What! Even though their fathers

had no knowledge and no guidance? had no knowledge and no guidance? Qur’an 5:104Qur’an 5:104

The Existence The Existence of God:of God:

A Rational ArgumentA Rational Argument

How do we see the world?How do we see the world? We can all agree that we :We can all agree that we :

– Have five sensesHave five senses– Use these senses to make judgments on our Use these senses to make judgments on our

worldworld– Use information to analyse things and make Use information to analyse things and make

conclusionsconclusions– Have a mind that can differentiate between Have a mind that can differentiate between

one thing and anotherone thing and another Therefore we should proceed with this Therefore we should proceed with this

method and refuse to accept blind method and refuse to accept blind emotional arguments…emotional arguments…

The Origin of the UniverseThe Origin of the Universe We all have asked the same questions:We all have asked the same questions:

– Where did the universe come from?Where did the universe come from?– Why does everything exists instead of nothing?Why does everything exists instead of nothing?

Typically Atheists have said the universe is: Typically Atheists have said the universe is: – Eternal Eternal – UncausedUncaused– A result of ‘pot luck’A result of ‘pot luck’

This is irrational. If the universe never had a This is irrational. If the universe never had a beginning, that means there is an beginning, that means there is an infinite infinite number of past events.number of past events.

Can an Infinite Number of Can an Infinite Number of things Exist?things Exist?

Infinite regression is an impossibility Infinite regression is an impossibility Mathematicians recognise that the existence Mathematicians recognise that the existence

of an actually infinite leads to contradictions of an actually infinite leads to contradictions Infinity – Infinity = InfinityInfinity – Infinity = Infinity David Hilbert a famous mathematician said:David Hilbert a famous mathematician said:

““The infinite is nowhere to be found in reality. The infinite is nowhere to be found in reality. It neither exists in nature nor provides a It neither exists in nature nor provides a legitimate basis for rational thought…”legitimate basis for rational thought…”

There is no Actual InfiniteThere is no Actual Infinite

The Library Book Example:The Library Book Example:You are waiting in a queue for a You are waiting in a queue for a library book consisting of an infinite library book consisting of an infinite number of people. Will you ever get number of people. Will you ever get the book?the book?

Soldier Example:Soldier Example:A soldier requires permission of the A soldier requires permission of the soldier behind him to shoot. If there soldier behind him to shoot. If there are an infinite number of soldiers, are an infinite number of soldiers, will he shoot?will he shoot?

Some Astrophysical Some Astrophysical EvidenceEvidence

This conclusion is confirmed by physicsThis conclusion is confirmed by physics The ‘Big Bang’The ‘Big Bang’

– Physical time and space were createdPhysical time and space were created– Matter and energy were also createdMatter and energy were also created

Cambridge Astronomer Fred Hoyle Cambridge Astronomer Fred Hoyle states states that the universe at a point in the pastthat the universe at a point in the past::

““..shrunk down to nothing at all”..shrunk down to nothing at all” The ‘Big Bang’ model requires that The ‘Big Bang’ model requires that

something was created out of nothing.something was created out of nothing.

Very Awkward for the Very Awkward for the AtheistAtheist

Anthony Kenny Professor at Oxford Anthony Kenny Professor at Oxford University:University:

““A proponent of the big bang theory, at A proponent of the big bang theory, at least if he is an atheist, must believe that least if he is an atheist, must believe that the…universe came out of nothing and by the…universe came out of nothing and by

nothing”nothing” But out of nothing, comes nothing!But out of nothing, comes nothing! Even atheists recognise this, famous Even atheists recognise this, famous

Philosopher David Hume:Philosopher David Hume:

“…“…I never asserted to absurd proposition as I never asserted to absurd proposition as that anything might arise without a cause”that anything might arise without a cause”

Summary of the Argument…so Summary of the Argument…so farfar

We can summarise the argument:We can summarise the argument:

1.1. Whatever begins to exist has a Whatever begins to exist has a causecause

2.2. The universe began to exist The universe began to exist

3.3. Therefore the universe has a Therefore the universe has a causecause

Some Counter ArgumentsSome Counter Arguments The universe can be a cycle of eventsThe universe can be a cycle of events

– This is absurd as this would indicate that the This is absurd as this would indicate that the future causes the past!future causes the past!

Things can exist without a causeThings can exist without a cause– Some atheists claim sub atomic articles exist Some atheists claim sub atomic articles exist

out of nothingout of nothing– This is false as there are fluctuations in energy This is false as there are fluctuations in energy

that caused the emergence of sub atomnic that caused the emergence of sub atomnic particles!particles!

The problem of EvilThe problem of Evil– Evil existing is an irrelevant emotional argument Evil existing is an irrelevant emotional argument

that doesn’t negate existencethat doesn’t negate existence– Reconciliation between life’s tribulations results Reconciliation between life’s tribulations results

in a positive perspective for a Muslim…in a positive perspective for a Muslim…

Then who Caused God?Then who Caused God?

The argument is about all things that The argument is about all things that beginbegin to existto exist have a cause… have a cause…

NOTNOT

Whatever exists has a cause!Whatever exists has a cause!

God/The Cause didn’t begin to exist. God/The Cause didn’t begin to exist.

The Universe has a CauseThe Universe has a Cause The cause of the universe is:The cause of the universe is:

– Uncaused by rational necessity (ref: Uncaused by rational necessity (ref: library book and soldier example)library book and soldier example)

– ‘‘Unlimited’ and beyond creationUnlimited’ and beyond creation– Not subject to time or spaceNot subject to time or space– Is a personal being that has a will…how Is a personal being that has a will…how

else can a timeless being bring the else can a timeless being bring the universe into existence?universe into existence?

– Not subject to the laws that govern Not subject to the laws that govern temporal phenomenatemporal phenomena

Some additional supporting Some additional supporting arguments… arguments…

The fine tuning in the universe is such The fine tuning in the universe is such that it is absurd to claim that it was out of that it is absurd to claim that it was out of chance – Probability: 10chance – Probability: 1010 10 [123 Zeros][123 Zeros]

This is equivalent of believing a talking This is equivalent of believing a talking Pink Hippopotamus exists that was born Pink Hippopotamus exists that was born on Pluto and flew here on a giant feather!on Pluto and flew here on a giant feather!

A ‘Bang’ causes disharmony…why was a A ‘Bang’ causes disharmony…why was a the rate of expansion so specific?the rate of expansion so specific?

Why would the smallest deviation in the Why would the smallest deviation in the rate of expansion make the universe rate of expansion make the universe collapse?collapse?

123 Zeros!123 Zeros!

100000000000000000000000000001000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

On Mike Lake’s Pink On Mike Lake’s Pink HippopotamusHippopotamus

Mike Lake’s Pink Hippopotamus so-Mike Lake’s Pink Hippopotamus so-called refutation:called refutation:– Is rationally absurd as he confuses Is rationally absurd as he confuses

existence of a sole cause of the universe existence of a sole cause of the universe and it’s essence or characterand it’s essence or character

– Refuses to argue the premises of the Refuses to argue the premises of the argument argument

What is the essence of the cause of What is the essence of the cause of the universe?....Requires a separate the universe?....Requires a separate slide/discussion and is not part of this slide/discussion and is not part of this debatedebate

Mike Lake must…Mike Lake must…

……prove the following counter claims:prove the following counter claims:

1.1. All things that begin to exist have All things that begin to exist have no causeno cause

2.2. The Universe had no beginningThe Universe had no beginning

3.3. The Universe has no causeThe Universe has no cause

The Premises of my The Premises of my argument…argument…

……can only be refuted if Mike Lake can only be refuted if Mike Lake proves:proves:

1.1. That there can be an infinite set of That there can be an infinite set of past events i.e. infinite regression is a past events i.e. infinite regression is a realityreality

2.2. That things which begin to exist That things which begin to exist have no causehave no cause

Rational Conclusion:Rational Conclusion:A Timeless Unchanging Cause A Timeless Unchanging Cause

Exists…Exists…

……but what about but what about

‘‘God’????God’????

Calling God ‘God’:Calling God ‘God’: The necessity for The necessity for

external informationexternal information

Why Revelation?Why Revelation?

Muslims do not have an explicit Muslims do not have an explicit assumption about WHO God isassumption about WHO God is

Our finite minds cannot explain or fully Our finite minds cannot explain or fully comprehend the infinite/timelesscomprehend the infinite/timeless

Therefore we do not have the Christian Therefore we do not have the Christian traditional approach of who God istraditional approach of who God is

Its like a knocking on the door…Its like a knocking on the door… So IF God said anything about Himself, it is So IF God said anything about Himself, it is

definitely in the form of external revelationdefinitely in the form of external revelation

The proof explainedThe proof explained

Qur’an Chapter 2 Verse 23Qur’an Chapter 2 Verse 23

““And if you are in doubt concerning And if you are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down to our that which We have sent down to our

servant (Muhammad pbuh) then servant (Muhammad pbuh) then bring a chapter of the like thereof bring a chapter of the like thereof

and call your witnesses (supporters and call your witnesses (supporters and helpers) besides Allah if you are and helpers) besides Allah if you are

truthful” truthful”

Five Main ArgumentsFive Main Arguments

Rational Deduction

Unique LiteraryForm

Unique Genre

Eloquence

If the best of If the best of Arabic speakers Arabic speakers

couldn’t meet the couldn’t meet the challenge then challenge then who wrote it?who wrote it?

It has its own It has its own unique form of unique form of

Arabic Arabic

It has a unique It has a unique way of using way of using

various linguistic various linguistic and literary and literary

featuresfeatures

It has the most It has the most accurate and perfect accurate and perfect

choice of words, choice of words, word order, choice word order, choice of prepositions…of prepositions…

Five Main Arguments

Rhetoric

It has more It has more rhetorical rhetorical

features then features then any other text, any other text, past or present. past or present.

It creates an It creates an unparalleled unparalleled

psycholinguistic psycholinguistic effect effect

So who created the Qur’an?So who created the Qur’an?

Rational deductionRational deduction Is it from an Arab, Non-Arab, the Is it from an Arab, Non-Arab, the

Prophet (pbuh) or the Creator?Prophet (pbuh) or the Creator? The Prophet and Hadith – Linguistic The Prophet and Hadith – Linguistic

differencesdifferences The pre-requisite – CreatorThe pre-requisite – Creator No other rational explanation!No other rational explanation!

Miracle After MiracleMiracle After Miracle My favourite…..My favourite…..

““As tangible signs Qur’anic verses are As tangible signs Qur’anic verses are expressive of an inexhaustible truth. They expressive of an inexhaustible truth. They signify meaning layered within meaning, signify meaning layered within meaning, light upon light, miracle after miracle.”light upon light, miracle after miracle.”

Prof Bruce LawrenceProf Bruce Lawrence

“…“…and that though several attempts have and that though several attempts have been made to produce a work equal to been made to produce a work equal to

it…none has as yet succeeded.” it…none has as yet succeeded.” Prof ArbuthnotProf Arbuthnot

Conclusion: A Miracle Indeed it Conclusion: A Miracle Indeed it is!is!

Martin Zammit, in “A comparative Lexical Martin Zammit, in “A comparative Lexical Study…”Study…”

““Notwithstanding the literary excellence Notwithstanding the literary excellence of some of the long pre-Islamic poems…of some of the long pre-Islamic poems…the Qur'an is definitely on a level of its the Qur'an is definitely on a level of its

own as own as the most eminent written the most eminent written manifestationmanifestation of the Arabic language.” of the Arabic language.”

Rev. R Bosworth Smith concludes:Rev. R Bosworth Smith concludes:

"…It is the one miracle claimed by "…It is the one miracle claimed by Muhammad, his standing Muhammad, his standing miraclemiracle, and a , and a

miraclemiracle indeed it is." indeed it is."

Thank you!Thank you!

Email: a_tzortzis@yahoo.comEmail: a_tzortzis@yahoo.com Mobile: 07988850946Mobile: 07988850946

www.theinimitablequran.comwww.theinimitablequran.com hamzatzortzis.blogspot.comhamzatzortzis.blogspot.com

Alhamdulillahir Rabbil’AlameenAlhamdulillahir Rabbil’Alameen[All Praises & Thanks Due to the Lord of the [All Praises & Thanks Due to the Lord of the

Worlds]Worlds]