jtaub

The first reply to my first posting was that I was perhaps posting in the wrong area. I think that was correct, and I apologize. I was not then, nor am I now prepared to engage in a discussion of God's existence. All I was after was an explanation of why there seems to be so much more immorality/amorality on the political Left, and I hypothesized that it might have something to do with the greater secularism of the Left. I think I understand that the general Objectivist position is that human reason is the highest entity, thereby making God both impossible and unnecessary. To the previous post, I can only say that I really don't think that most religious people find science antithetical to religion. Why should they? They would say that God gave us science too. I think that they'd also say that God gave matter existence. Here, I'm willing to do some serious reading. The argument from design was first advanced by a minister in a book in 1812 called "The Theology of Nature." As was pointed out, the rebuttal came in "The Blind Watchmaker." I plan to read both books. What came first--human life and a need for an Earth or vice versa, I don't think is relevant to whether or not there was a "designer." Finally, the question of whether or not free will exists versus determinism again is not tied to God's existence. As long as we can make choices which carry us in different directions, we have at least a form of free will. Again, I apologize for straying into an area where it appears I don't belong. Thank you for your input. If I really think that I have anything of value to add, I will post it at a later date. jtaub

Thank you all for your input. I'll try to phrase my question more clearly, divided, and succintly from now on. I think the first part is answered. The argument from design simply says that all this intricacy (including the physical laws) around and including us could not have happened randomly. As far as "who designed the designer" is concerned, while I am no religious scholar, I believe the answer given is that the designer always was and didn't need designing. After all, even Aristotle postulated an Unmoved Mover. That's why I said that this was religion's strongest argument. Even an "icon" on secularism gives into it a bit. jtaub

This is my first posting, so I hope that my question is clear. I have "observed" that Liberals (as a gross exageration) tend to be meaner (lying, cheating) than Conservatives in the present political climate. I am wondering if in any way this might have something to do with the greater secularism on the Left? If this is true, then does it have anything to do with the presence on the Right of the "Religious Right" that believes in a god of morals, right and wrong, good and evil? The best argument that I have heard for the existence of a god is the "argument from design." What is a good argument against the argument from design? Thank you. jtaub