Re: [asa] The God hypothesis- a test

I wasn't claiming that it "proves" God.  I was replying to the prior post that said, "if there are no statistical differences..."  I was pointing out that there _are_ statistical differences.

Phil

-----Original Message-----
From: Dehler, Bernie <bernie.dehler@intel.com>
To: asa@calvin.edu
Sent: Fri, 16 May 2008 10:29 am
Subject: RE: [asa] The God hypothesis- a test

Hi Phil-

I’m not sure happiness proves anything.  For example, a marriage can be happier if each spouse thinks the other is faithful, even if one is cheating on the other.  “Ignorance is bliss” can apply.

Even if atheists are gloomy because they have no meaning for life, but they are correct that there is no God, I think that would be preferable to a happy but deluded life.  Would you rather live a lie and be happy or live in the truth and be miserable? I would always opt for the truth, and try to be happy in my misery.  The thought of “living a lie” is disgusting to me, no matter how comfortable it is.

…Bernie

“It’s turtles all the way down”

From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On Behalf Of philtill@aol.com
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 4:47 AM
To: asa@calvin.edu
Subject: Re: [asa] The God hypothesis- a test

There are statistical differences, but of a different kind.  Studies show that Christians are happier than atheists.  I was at a talk by Alister McGrath in which he was critiquing Dawkins' claim that religion spoils everything including making people unhappy.  Dawkins says atheists are happier than Christians.  Well, McGrath produced a review of all the scientific studies ever performed on this topic.  He showed overwhelmingly that these studies prove religious people to be happier than irreligious people.  McGrath pointed out that as a scientist Dawkins ought to know better than to make testable claims without checking whether they have been tested, or to keep making those claims after discovering that they have been falsified.

Now the Bible says Christians will suffer in this world, "in this world you will have tribulation, but I will give you peace."  That sounds like a testable and proven claim.  You can't test objective answers to prayer because God only answers prayers that are in accordance with his will (so says the Bible), but praying and finding peace is always according to his will if you are a Christian.

Phil

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Armstrong <jarmstro@qwest.net>
To: ASA <asa@calvin.edu>
Sent: Fri, 16 May 2008 1:58 am
Subject: Re: [asa] The God hypothesis- a test

If there is no statistical difference, does that mean that He doesn't care?
JimA [Friend of ASA]

Lynn Walker wrote:

On 5/16/08, Dehler, Bernie <bernie.dehler@intel.com> wrote:

Hi all-

A scientific question about God.  Is it possible to test for the
existence of the Christian God?  Here's a scenario.

Hypothesis: Those who are born-again Christians are born of the Spirit
and have a new relationship with God.  They can pray to God, and God
will sometimes answer their prayers.

Test: Take two groups.  One group has self-identified born-again
Christians, the other are self-described atheists.  Both groups
write-down their goals (career, medical needs, etc.) The Christian prays
for their needs, while the atheist doesn't.  Then see if there is a
statistical difference.  (This is a broad outline; a real test would
have much tighter rules and controls.)

If God exists, wouldn't this "catch Him in the act?"  Is this a valid
test and hypothesis? I'm vaguely aware that some have actually tried
such a hypothesis/test (similar) and saw no statistical difference.  If
there's no difference between the groups, does that mean that either God
doesn't exist, or God doesn't care (as Jesus taught that God our father
cares for us)?

If God answers, "no", does that mean he doesn't care?

Lynn

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Received on Fri May 16 22:43:04 2008