Changes

One of the most popular arguments for God's existence is the [[teleological argument]]. Derived from the Greek word ''telos'', which refers to purpose or end, this argument hinges on the idea that the world gives evidence of being designed, and concludes that a divine designer must be posited to account for the orderly world we encounter.

One of the most popular arguments for God's existence is the [[teleological argument]]. Derived from the Greek word ''telos'', which refers to [[purpose]] or end, this argument hinges on the idea that the world gives evidence of being designed, and concludes that a divine designer must be posited to account for the orderly world we encounter.

On October 17, 2014, The New York Times published an article entitled ''Does everything happen for a reason?'' which declared:

On October 17, 2014, The New York Times published an article entitled ''Does everything happen for a reason?'' which declared:

In other studies, scheduled to be published online next week in the journal Child Development, we found that even young children show a bias to believe that life events happen for a reason — to “send a sign” or “to teach a lesson.” This belief exists regardless of how much exposure the children have had to religion at home, and even if they’ve had none at all.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/19/opinion/sunday/does-everything-happen-for-a-reason.html ''Does everything happen for a reason?'']</ref>}}

In other studies, scheduled to be published online next week in the journal Child Development, we found that even young children show a bias to believe that life events happen for a reason — to “send a sign” or “to teach a lesson.” This belief exists regardless of how much exposure the children have had to religion at home, and even if they’ve had none at all.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/19/opinion/sunday/does-everything-happen-for-a-reason.html ''Does everything happen for a reason?'']</ref>}}

Pew Research reports that 35% of [[American atheism|American atheists]] often think about the meaning and purpose of life.<ref>[http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/06/01/10-facts-about-atheists/ 10 facts about atheists], Pew Research</ref>

Pew Research reports that 35% of [[American atheism|American atheists]] often think about the meaning and purpose of life.<ref>[https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/06/01/10-facts-about-atheists/ 10 facts about atheists], Pew Research</ref>

As adults, children who attended religious services regularly are 87 percent more likely to possess high levels of forgiveness and are also 47 percent more likely to have a high sense of mission and purpose.<ref>[https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/how-to-help-prevent-your-child-atheist/ How to Help Prevent Your Child from Becoming an Atheist] by Joe Carter</ref>  

As adults, children who attended religious services regularly are 47 percent more likely to have a high sense of mission and purpose.<ref>[https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/how-to-help-prevent-your-child-atheist/ How to Help Prevent Your Child from Becoming an Atheist] by Joe Carter</ref>  

== Children see the world as designed ==

== Children see the world as designed ==

Researchers at [[Oxford University]] have reported finding children who, when questioned, express their understanding that there is a Creator, without having had any such teaching from parents or teachers about this matter.<ref>[http://creation.com/children-see-the-world-as-designed Children as designed].</ref>  In [[Japan]], researchers found that Japanese children see the natural world [[Intelligent design|as designed]] and purposeful and believe some kind of intelligent being is behind that purpose.<ref>[http://creation.com/children-see-the-world-as-designed Children as designed].</ref>

Researchers at [[Oxford University]] have reported finding children who, when questioned, express their understanding that there is a Creator, without having had any such teaching from parents or teachers about this matter.<ref>[https://creation.com/children-see-the-world-as-designed Children as designed].</ref>  In [[Japan]], researchers found that Japanese children see the natural world [[Intelligent design|as designed]] and purposeful and believe some kind of intelligent being is behind that purpose.<ref>[https://creation.com/children-see-the-world-as-designed Children as designed].</ref>

== Jean-Paul Sartre and teleological beliefs ==

== Jean-Paul Sartre and teleological beliefs ==

Richard Dawkins and Rael; "clear thinking" kindred spirits!

Richard Dawkins and Rael; "clear thinking" kindred spirits!

<ref>http://www.discovery.org/a/4589</ref>}}

<ref>http://www.discovery.org/a/4589</ref>}}

== Related quotes from science publications ==

== Related quotes from science publications ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism Quotes]]

''See also:'' [[Atheism Quotes]]

" “A slew of cognitive traits predisposes us to [[faith]].”  - Pascal Boyer, in the British science journal ''Nature'' <ref>[http://www.wnd.com/2014/07/science-writer-atheists-might-not-exist Graham Lawton in the New Scientist]</ref>  

" “A slew of cognitive traits predisposes us to [[faith]].”  - Pascal Boyer, in the British science journal ''Nature'' <ref>[https://www.wnd.com/2014/07/science-writer-atheists-might-not-exist Graham Lawton in the New Scientist]</ref>  

“Atheism is psychologically impossible because of the way humans think. … They point to studies showing, for example, that even people who claim to be committed atheists tacitly hold religious beliefs, such as the existence of an immortal soul.” - Graham Lawton in the ''New Scientist'' science magazine <ref>[http://www.wnd.com/2014/07/science-writer-atheists-might-not-exist Graham Lawton in the New Scientist]</ref>

“Atheism is psychologically impossible because of the way humans think. … They point to studies showing, for example, that even people who claim to be committed atheists tacitly hold religious beliefs, such as the existence of an immortal soul.” - Graham Lawton in the ''New Scientist'' science magazine <ref>[https://www.wnd.com/2014/07/science-writer-atheists-might-not-exist Graham Lawton in the New Scientist]</ref>

== Meaninglessness and hopelessness under an atheist worldview ==

== Meaninglessness and hopelessness under an atheist worldview ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and meaninglessness]] and [[Atheism, agnosticism and pessimism]]

''See also:'' [[Atheism and meaninglessness]] and [[Atheism and incoherency]] and [[Atheism, agnosticism and pessimism]]

[[File:Russell1907-2.jpg|right|thumbnail|200px|[[Bertrand Russell]] ]]

[[File:Russell1907-2.jpg|right|thumbnail|200px|[[Bertrand Russell]] ]]

== See also ==

== See also ==

*[[Denials that atheists exist]]

*[[Denials that atheists exist]]

*[[Atheists doubting the validity of atheism]]

*[[Atheists doubting the validity of atheism]]