The Atheist Blogger

A copy of Richard Dawkins “The God Delusion” fell off my shelf today, and opened on page 83 which contains a rather humorous “proof” of the non existence of God based on the qualities of a creator. It was written by Douglas Gasking, and is really a joke / parody of similar theist arguments FOR God. However I think it is a perfect example of how atheists view the beauty of the world without resorting to any form of god.

1. The creation of the world is the most marvellous achievement imaginable.
2. The merit of an achievement is the product of (a) its intrinsic quality, and (b) the ability of its creator.
3. The greater the disability (or handicap) of the creator, the more impressive the achievement.
4. The most formidable handicap for a creator would be non-existence.
5. Therefore if we suppose that the universe is the product of an existent creator we can conceive a greater being - namely, one who created everything while not existing.
6. An existing God therefore would not be a being greater than which a greater cannot be conceived because and even more formidable and incredible creator would be a God which did not exist.

   Ergo:

7. God does not exist.

Now perhaps theists can understand our stance on the beauty and complex nature of the world we live in. Sure, they have a God who made it all, but we believe that all this beauty and complexity came into being without a designer, which makes it all the more wondrous and inspiring.

Our non-existent “creator” is way better than yours…