Empirical Evidence and the Reality of God: A Skeptical Inquiry

It's natural to question the existence of a higher being or creator, especially when it's presented as an absolute truth. The phrase, 'Can I see your God empirically to prove to me that He exists?' highlights the fundamental struggle in presenting faith and empirical evidence.

However, the expectations placed on proving the existence of the universe’s creator often seem unreasonable. For instance, it would be absurd to expect the President of the United States to answer your phone call. Similarly, asking for empirical proof of a universal creator can be equally demanding.

Absence of Proof and the Reality of Magic

The absence of proof for the existence of magic does not provide any evidence for the existence of God. It's important to note that if we accept the premise that everything has a cause, then either the universe itself is the uncaused cause or it was caused by a God that science cannot comprehend or prove.

Some argue that the universe's inexplicable nature is the exception to all known scientific rules and evidence of an unfettered Creator. However, this assertion is often met with skepticism and critique.

Historical Evidence and Personal Experience

There are instances where historical monuments and personal experiences provide support for biblical accounts. For example, the walls of Jericho or the impact of King David's reign. Additionally, many individuals claim to have had personal experiences with God, such as seeing or talking to Him.

It's important to recognize that these claims must be evaluated critically. In the context of scientific proof, simply calling something "proof" does not make it so. For instance, the claim that gravity was "disproven" by a mythological figure floating towards the sky is an example of misinterpreting historical and scientific facts.

Debating the Specificity of God's Attributes

When discussing God, it's crucial to specify which deity is being referred to. Different religious traditions have different understandings of God, such as the Catholic God, the God of the Israelites, or the god of the New Testament.

The biblical God of the Israelites is distinct from the God of the gentiles or the Old Testament. This God never fathered Mary or sent Jesus to earth as a savior. According to Jewish views, Jesus was just another Jew who died in the past and was never considered the messiah (moshiach).

Furthermore, if someone claimed to be the messiah but did not complete the expected tasks, they would not be considered the true messiah. Therefore, the criteria for identifying a messiah must be strictly adhered to.

These discussions highlight the need for clarity and critical thinking when examining claims about the existence of a higher being. Empirical evidence and historical context play a crucial role in these debates.

For more in-depth discussions on these topics, please visit my Quora Spaces: Biblical Eschatology and Discussing the Apostle Paul.