Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site pucc-h
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!CS-Mordred!Pucc-H:aeq
From: aeq@pucc-h (Jeff Sargent)
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Re: anti-religious flame
Message-ID: <607@pucc-h>
Date: Thu, 22-Mar-84 11:17:30 EST
Article-I.D.: pucc-h.607
Posted: Thu Mar 22 11:17:30 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 23-Mar-84 21:26:37 EST
References: <324@ih1ap.UUCP>
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center
Lines: 24

Reply to P.A. Fargo:

> Concerning the cute story about Newton, why does the fact that the model
> has a maker imply that the universe has one? If there is a creator of the
> complex universe( if it is complex?), then who created the truly complex
> being that created the universe. If the creator "always existed", then
> why not assume that the universe always existed?

As I recall the story about Newton, the argument was:  If it is so absurd to
think that a simple orrery came to exist by itself, why isn't it absurd to
believe that the whole sidereal universe with all its variegated motions,
not to mention the functions of even the simplest life, came to exist
spontaneously?  I will judiciously apply Occam's razor and say that it is
unnecessary to postulate levels upon levels of creation.  However, when I
consider the beauty and ingenuity of the universe, the earth, and the
denizens thereof--the painstaking creativity that is displayed to anyone who
will not refuse to see--I find it more difficult to believe that the universe
just happens to exist, than that it was created by a highly intelligent
creator.

-- 
-- Jeff Sargent
{allegra|ihnp4|decvax|harpo|seismo|ucbvax}!pur-ee!pucc-h:aeq
Have you hugged your junk mail today?