# 1999/4/14

#============================#
# logical/evidence fallacies #
#   nature & the universe    #
#   God & the Bible          #
#============================#

I. evidence of God (Latimer)
contradiction [proof without sensedata]
1. (unstated premise/fact): Proof requires sensedata.
2. I cannot sense God.
3. I can prove that God exists.

II. definition of universe/God (McCullough)
contradiction [God created himself]
1. The universe is everything that exists.
2. God exists.
3. God created the universe.

III. Bible (Kelley, AR, page 145)
begging the question (circular argument)
1. God exists, because the Bible says so.
2. The Bible is trustworthy, because it is the Word of God.

IV. Bible (Fields)
appeal to ignorance
1. Historical research has verified many statements in the Bible.
2. Historical research has not disproved any statements in the Bible.
3. Every statement in the Bible is true (God exists).

V. order & complexity of Nature (evolution and creation) (Fields)
false alternative [left out causality]
1. Things observed in Nature, especially man, are very complex.
2. This resulted either from random events (evolution), or from design (creation).
3. This did not result from random events, therefore Nature was designed (by God).

VI. nature of the universe (Fields)
non sequitur (it does not follow)
1. The predictions of the "big bang" theory are consistent with today's universe.
2. The "big bang" theory has been proved.
(Brian Greene, "The Elegant Universe", points out that the
assumptions of the "big bang" theory make it inapplicable
at the time of the "big bang".)

VII. "origin" of the universe (first cause)
complex question, false alternative
1. Everything has to have a cause.
2. The universe cannot cause itself.
3. The universe was caused by God.
