The argument from design

Dear Future Historian,

I haven’t managed to keep my latest goal of two posts per week, to have enough material for ‘Dear Future Historian, Winter 2022’ but I won’t be too harsh on myself because, among other reasons, it really doesn’t help.

Next assignment at uni is on Philosophy of Religion. We need to talk about David Hume’s objections on ‘the argument from design.’

‘The argument from design’ is supposed to be a prove of the existence of God. Some philosophers argue that the World is functioning like a well-designed machine, thus—by analogy—it must have been created (as machines have) by what we would call a God.

Some objections against this argument are that machines are usually made by more than one person. So, for example the monotheistic religions, can’t really claim that this argument is a prove of the existence of their—one—God. And, actually, no religion can use this argument to prove their God to be the creator against other Gods.

Another objection is that the theory of evolution is equally a good explanation for life. Yet, an objection to that objection is that it’s just against the possible odds for the first cell ever to even manage to be formed by itself. The math of probabilities and the known age of the Universe just don’t allow such a random ‘miracle.’

But the main objection against this argument is ‘the problem of evil.’

The predator animals, for example, seem indeed very well designed to tear you apart. And, the well-functioning way the laws of nature evolve volcanoes, earthquakes, diseases, and other natural catastrophes. Also, the World does seem very orderly and well-designed is some aspects of it but it’s also very chaotic in some other respects.

What kind of a God would design such a World?

To sum up, Hume doesn’t deny that there might be something we can make of ‘the argument from design’ but it really can’t get us too far; definitely not as far as to use it as a prove for the existence of a specific God.

So, where does all that leave us?

Personally? Very confused.

Being raised in a strictly religious environment, I was talking to God even in my own personal diaries. I have mentioned before how I’m using you, my Dear Future Historian, to fill that gap—since I am not really a believer anymore.

It wasn’t the loss of faith in the existence of my God that made me leave church. No. It was the fact that—even if he does exist—I was very upset with him. That’s why I left.

I don’t want to be ungrateful. Me and the people I love having health and being alive is very highly appreciated. (Please God if you exist, don’t throw a lightning on me for my blasphemy and keep us safe.)

But I rationalize my anger this way. Imagine you are in captivity of some kind, surely then you cannot just deny yourself the right to be upset because you are healthy. That’s how I felt.

I still was afraid of him of course. Terrified. That lasted a few years. Staying in church just to not go to hell.

Then I realised that this is completely ridiculous. To hope that a God who can read all my thoughts, and has narcissistic traits, won’t send me to burn in fire! What was I thinking to pretend to be a good Christian when I thought that this God was so aggressive?

I went to the cathedral the other day. I went just to take photos of the stained glass, but I found myself crying in front of the altar, telling him what a pity it is that he probably doesn’t exist, and what a pleasant surprise it would be if I do go to hell, considering that the alternative is Nothingness. I bet I’d meet some good old friends there.

How do we deal with the problem of evil and oppression of a might-exist-God?

Supposedly, we are created in his own image, right?

That speaks volumes of the personality of such a God.

I mean, many claim (bible itself and the medieval book I am now reading, ‘The anatomy of melancholy,’) that natural catastrophes are punishment from God. And, that even children affected by them are justifiably paying for the mischiefs of their ancestors. So, it doesn’t really matter if you’ve done something wrong or not. You must prove that you are worthy to not be punished, whether you had the opportunity to prove yourself or not.

We are made in God’s image.

A God in our own image.

You know, I studied in my second year at uni a chapter about the welfare system in the industrial revolution. Apparently, the rich people were complaining that the people in need were living decently, and they gathered to find a solution to what they thought should not continue. In these assemblies they decided to stop giving resources to families and make institutions to separate the children from their parents and the husbands from their wives.

Some members of the high society complained that this will only be possible if they increased even more the money they have to give for the poor, since the new approach required a big investment in new buildings for these institutions. These buildings would also have very high maintenance costs. But that didn't bother most of them, as long as they could sleep at night peacefully, that they are investing their money for a higher purpose, i.e., to make the lives of the less fortunate than them actually worse. This plan indeed was voted, and it was how the system functioned (before human rights ruined it for them.)

 

That feels a lot like the salvation God is providing.

And what if you struggle with sinful, inappropriate, lustful thoughts? Well. You’ll get used to it. Keep trying. You’ll be reworded in heaven for trying and be forgiven—by the merciful grace of God—for being unsuccessful.

Are you allergic to oppression? The fear of internal flames might help you, my dear believer! (And, forget the fact that it's him that designed you with such tendencies. Shhh.)

It’s a bit like forcing someone with peanuts allergy (that somehow you caused that allergy to them) to eat peanuts and insisting that after a few months they will get used to eating it. Or—let me not be too harsh—maybe it’s like giving someone, allergic to peanuts, peanut butter and insisting that it will come down easier! ‘We have Good Books, and songs, and Christmas. Why are you complaining?’

No. I don’t believe in such a God.

Even when I did, I found the courage to get out of that toxic, co-dependant, relationship. And, I am proud for my courage and honesty. (May God show mercy on me.)

Having said that, I can’t deny that even Hume could not argue on the fact that maybe there is something out there. And, mostly, I can’t deny that I have experienced divine providence, and that life itself is a real miracle, and that Love does exist (the biggest miracle of them all.)

Yes, if God is made in our own image, he must have Love in his essence there, somewhere.

And, that helps be keep going.

Take care my Dear Future Historian.

Hope to talk to you again soon.

Suggested listening songs on that topic (trigger warning: offensive language, sarcastic comedy)

Thank You God - Tim Minchin