Is it Rational to believe in God?
  • At various times, I have come across individuals who believe (or state, either explicitly or implicitly) that Atheism is Rational, and Theism is Irrational.
    • I am yet to see proof, however, that this belief is correct.
    • I agree that there is irrationality to be found both within Atheism and within Theism.
    • However I see no proof that Theism is foundationally Irrational whereas Atheism is foundationally Rational.

  • Are there any rational reasons to believe in God?
  • Are there rational people who believe in God?
    • This post briefly explores these areas.

Are there Rational people who believe in God?
  • Most people think of scientists as the ultimate examples of rational beings. This is why I bring up scientists below…
  • I have come across many many scientists who believe rationally in God … and who do not find Theism to be inconsistent with their rationality, or with their science.
  • And I have come across statements from many scientists that lead me to infer that it is indeed rational for scientists to believe in God.

Are there Rational Reasons to believe in God?
  • Let's look at a few relevant quotes from Scientists.

    • If we have eyes to see, the anthropic principle will speak to us of the signs of God's purpose present in the remarkable potentiality with which our universe has been endowed in the basic ground of its physical process. (John Polkinghorne, physicist) A Potent Universe, in Evidence of Purpose, 1994, p. 115.

    • Modern physics and cosmology impact in a number of ways upon our understanding of a God who purposefully creates and sustains the world. (Russell Stannard, physicist) in Evidence of Purpose, 1994, p. 90.

    • (T)he origin of life appears to be almost a miracle, so many are the conditions which would have to be satisfied to get it going. (Francis Crick, Nobel prize winner, biochemist) Life Itself, 1981, p 88. Note: my understanding is that Crick is an Agnostic.

    • If we could play God, and select values for these natural quantities at whim by twiddling a set of knobs, we would find that almost all knob settings would render the universe uninhabitable. Some knobs would have to be fine-tuned to enormous precision if life is to flourish in the universe. Paul Davies, Evidence of Purpose, 1994, p. 49. Note: my understanding is that Davies is an Agnostic.

    • It is in that province (speaking of the fundamental constants of nature) that we find the most surprising evidence for a grand design. (Paul Davies, physicist) God and the New Physics, 1983, p. 187. Interpolation within parentheses.

    • In some mysterious way, God is the creator of all the living forms in the evolutionary process, and particularly in homin persons, each with the conscious selfhood of an immortal soul. (A Theistic Evolutionist, John C. Eccles, Nobel Prize winner, physiology, medicine) Evidence of Purpose, 1994, p. 132.

    • Nevertheless, just as I believe that the Book of Scripture illumines the pathway to God, so I believe that the Book of Nature, with its astonishing details, the blade of grass, the Conus cedonulli, or the resonance levels of the carbon atom also suggest a God of purpose and a God of design. And I think my belief makes me no less a scientist. (Owen Gingerich, astronomer) Evidence of Purpose, 1994, p. 23.

  • This (above) is just a representative sampling of quotes from scientists.

  • I have come across many many other such quotes from scientists, and I have personally come across many very intelligent scientists who are Theists… and who find Theism to be foundationally rational … (and more rational ultimately than Atheism).

Is there Evidence that points to God?
  • The point that I am making is (in part) that there is a good bit of evidence that can rationally be understood as pointing to the existence of God.
  • I have discussed some of this evidence in other posts

What about committed Atheists?
  • Some atheists are not aware of the evidence mentioned above.
  • Other atheists move away from Atheism as they become aware of, and study, this evidence (e.g., Prof. Anthony Flew, Sir Fred Hoyle).
  • Some atheists appear to have a strong prior commitment to atheism, and so choose to disregard or discard the evidence.

  • The rationality and the intelligence of many scientists that I have come across, who find these evidence to be rational pointers to the existence of God, confirm that there indeed IS merit to these evidence (as pointers to the existence of God)…

Bottom line
  • Based on the evidence (a) in the universe, and (b) experientially in my life, it is completely Rational for me to be intellectually and experientially a Committed Theist…

  • And it is completely Rational for any Christian to be the same.

Grace and Peace to you
  • Wishing you Peace and Joy through Jesus Christ.

Postscript
  • Cogito Ergo Credo
    • I think therefore I believe (Latin).
  • Cogitamus Ergo Credamus
    • We think therefore we believe (Latin).
  • Credes ut Intelligas
    • Believe so that you may truly understand (the nature of reality).
  • These Latin phrases encapsulate my view (and that of many other intelligent and thinking Christians) regarding the inter-relationship between Christian Faith and Authentic Scientific/Philosophical Knowledge.