Tom Magnuson - My Worldview
Whenever the subject of origins
comes up between a person who believes in an Intelligent Designer and a person who is a scientific materialist, several things could happen depending on their personalities and the strength of their beliefs:
The scientific materialist could have a strong, preconceived notion that someone who believes in a personal Intelligent Designer has lost his mind. After all, the theory of evolution has been "proven", right? He might "encourage" the Intelligent Design person to "join the 21st century". The Intelligent Design person could be ill-prepared to defend his view. It could be a short and condescending exchange; maybe hostile.
An Intelligent Design person could defend his view very well, while the scientific materialist is ill-equipped. The scientific materialist could throw out a bunch of ad hominems (name calling), and bring up questions that have nothing to do with the arguments for a personal Intelligent Designer. The discussion could break down in a hurry.
One could try to "steamroll" over the other, just talking and not wishing to learn anything from him. A meaningful discussion would never happen.
Is it any wonder we in Western culture say, "Why bother?"
OR
"I've already made up my mind about the 'God thing', and I'm comfortable. What difference does it make? I like my life and I'm not interested in changing."
Most people are so wrapped up in their day-to-day interests and struggles that they give little thought to where they personally fit into the "grand scheme".
The following discussion, with it's links, can strengthen the argument of those who believe in the Intelligent Designer, and can plant the seed that could profoundly change the thinking and the life of a scientific materialist.
My approach in defending our view starts with...
An argument for Intelligent Design of the universe and life.
After the evidence for Intelligent Design is presented, the questions that need to be answered are,
"WHO is the most likely candidate (best inference from the facts) for Intelligent Designer, and is the Intelligent Designer still interested in us?"
After the plausible identity of the Intelligent Designer has been discovered, then the question that must be answered is,
"If the Intelligent Designer is interested in us, then what does this Intelligent Designer require of us?"
The last question is,
"What am I going to do about those requirements?"
