Atheism, naturalism and the origin of the universe

A majority of atheists hold to the philosophy of naturalism which rejects the miraculous. See also: Atheism and naturalism

If naturalism is true, then we ought not to trust our capacity for reason for the human brain would be a byproduct of blind/unintelligent natural forces. Therefore, believing in naturalism is self-defeating (see: Atheism and reason).

In addition, scientific naturalism proposes that only explanations which can be scientifically tested are valid, yet this proposition cannot be scientifically tested. Therefore, scientific naturalism is self-refuting. See also: Atheism and incoherency

However, when it comes to belief in life after death and other matters, a significant portion of atheists reject naturalism in various instances (see: Atheism and the supernatural).

Atheism, naturalism and the origin of the universe

See also: Atheism and the origin of the universe

Jonathan Sarfati wrote about the eternal nature of God and the question "If God created the universe, then who created God?": "A number of sceptics ask this question. But God by definition is the uncreated creator of the universe, so the question ‘Who created God?’ is illogical, just like ‘To whom is the bachelor married?’".

Although many atheists indicate that they do not know how the universe came into being, some prominent atheists claim that the universe came into existence from nothing. See also: Atheism and beliefs and Atheist worldview

Jonathan Sarfati wrote about atheist Stephen Hawking claiming the universe came from nothing: "However, logic doesn’t seem to be his strong point; ‘self-creation’ is self-contradictory. Something can do something — including create—only if it exists; something not yet existing has no power to do anything, including create itself."

A classic argument for the existence of God is the cosmological argument. According to the cosmological argument, every event in our universe necessarily has a cause. However, it is impossible that there should be an unending chain of causes going back. Therefore, there necessarily must be a cause distinct from the universe as we know it which is capable of causing all things and is itself uncaused. Atheism denies that that first cause is God.

The Kalam cosmological argument is a modern formulation of the cosmological argument which rooted in the Ilm al-Kalam heritage within medieval Islamic scholasticism.

Christians point out that the question "Who created God", which is often posed by atheists, is an illogical question.

Theistic implications of the 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics

In the articles below, theists point out that the First Law of Thermodynamics and the Second Law of Thermodynamics point to the universe having a divine origin:

• Can the laws of science explain the origin of the universe?

• Evidence for the Supernatural Creation of the Universe by Patrick R. Briney, Ph.D.

• The Laws of Thermodynamics Don't Apply to the Universe! by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

• God and the Laws of Thermodynamics: A Mechanical Engineer’s Perspective by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

• If God created the universe, then who created God? by Jonathan Sarfati, Ph.D.

• Has the universe always existed?