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Does God Exist? A Comprehensive Exploration of Faith, Reason, and Reality

By Morris Wambua

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The question of God's existence has captivated humanity for millennia, provoking debates among philosophers, scientists, theologians, and everyday individuals alike. We all have encountered candid discussions on the question of God's existence. As a first year, I was vehemently exposed to this discussion by one of my lecturers who would call himself the son of man, claim that the class session has been set at an ungodly hour, and trash the miracles of Jesus as allegations! Then the naive me kept wondering, if truly God doesn't exist, why does the good professor have to spent one hour arguing against the existence of 'nothing?' Anyway, from ancient Greek philosophers like Aristotle to modern scientists like Albert Einstein, the inquiry into the existence of a higher power has spanned every age and discipline. Interestingly, the debate doesn't rest solely in the hands of theists or atheists. Many people identify as agnostics, standing in the middle ground—acknowledging the possibility of God's existence while remaining skeptical due to a perceived lack of evidence. This article aims to explore why belief in God is not only rational but may also be essential for understanding the universe and our place within it.
The Limits of Pure Empiricism: Why Science Isn't Enough

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Many skeptics and agnostics ground their uncertainty in empiricism, the belief that knowledge comes only through sensory experience and scientific inquiry. According to this perspective, if something cannot be observed, measured, or tested, its existence is questionable. While empiricism has provided a powerful foundation for scientific advancement, it has its limits, particularly when addressing metaphysical questions. For example, imagine stumbling upon a beautifully designed watch in a forest. Even if you don’t see the watchmaker, logic suggests that someone must have created it. Similarly, the complexity and order found within the universe invite the question of whether an intelligent designer—a God—is behind it all. While science has made incredible strides in understanding the observable universe, it inherently avoids questions like, "Why is there something rather than nothing?" or "What is the ultimate purpose of existence?" These inquiries lie outside the empirical scope and venture into the realm of philosophy and theology.
The Cosmological Argument: The Origin of Everything
A central pillar in discussions surrounding God's existence is the cosmological argument. At its core, it asks, "Why is there something rather than nothing?" According to the widely accepted Big Bang theory, the universe began approximately 13.8 billion years ago. However, this raises another question: What caused the universe to begin? The cosmological argument posits that everything that begins to exist must have a cause. Since the universe had a beginning, it, too, must have a cause. But this cause must be something beyond the material world—something timeless, immaterial, and independent of the universe itself. Many theists identify this cause as God. While science may one day explain how the universe came into existence, it may never be able to answer why it did—a question that transcends the empirical realm.
The Fine-Tuning of the Universe: A Cosmic Coincidence?

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The fine-tuning argument is another compelling case for the existence of God. The universe operates under a set of physical constants that are so precisely calibrated that even slight alterations would render life impossible. For instance, if the strength of gravity were altered by just a fraction, stars, planets, and even life as we know it would not exist. While some physicists have proposed the multiverse theory—the idea that there are countless other universes, each with different physical laws—this theory lacks empirical evidence. Moreover, it raises more questions than it answers. From a theistic standpoint, the fine-tuning of the universe suggests intelligent design. This precision points toward a creator who purposefully established the conditions necessary for life.

The Moral Argument: The Foundation of Right and Wrong
Human beings across all cultures and time periods have recognized certain moral truths. Acts such as murder, theft, and cruelty are considered wrong, while acts of kindness, justice, and charity are universally valued. But where do these moral truths come from? The moral argument asserts that objective morality—moral truths that exist independently of human opinion—requires a source beyond ourselves. Just as laws imply a lawgiver, objective morality suggests the existence of a moral lawgiver—God. Without God, morality becomes subjective, changing based on societal norms or individual preferences. This view clashes with our deep-seated sense of justice and fairness, which seems to point toward a higher moral authority.
The Human Experience: Longing for Meaning and Purpose
Beyond philosophical and scientific arguments, human experience itself may provide evidence of God’s existence. Throughout history, humanity has exhibited a profound sense of longing for meaning, purpose, and connection to something greater. Philosopher Blaise Pascal famously referred to this as a “God-shaped vacuum” in the human heart. This existential yearning suggests that humans are hard wired for spirituality—that we are meant to seek something beyond the material world. C.S. Lewis, a renowned Christian apologist, articulated this sentiment beautifully: “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” This existential desire for meaning, purpose, and fulfillment points toward the possibility that we are created for a greater purpose, one that transcends the material universe."

Science and Metaphysical Questions: Where Physics Ends, Philosophy Begins
While science has offered profound insights into the workings of the universe, it often stops short when addressing metaphysical questions. For instance, the Big Bang theory explains how the universe came into existence but doesn’t touch upon the reason why it came into being. Questions of meaning, purpose, and morality fall outside the empirical domain, requiring philosophical and theological exploration.

Faith and Reason: Partners, Not Opposites
A common misconception is that faith and reason are mutually exclusive. However, they can complement one another. Faith, in this sense, is not blind belief but a trust rooted in evidence, experience, and reason. Just as scientists trust certain axioms to be true in their work, believers trust in a transcendent reality based on philosophical, experiential, and historical evidence. Far from being opposing forces, faith and reason can work together to lead us toward a deeper understanding of the universe and the divine.
The Argument from Contingency: Why Does Anything Exist?
The argument from contingency is another significant philosophical argument for God's existence. This argument begins with the observation that everything in the universe is contingent—it exists, but it didn't have to exist. For example, a tree, a person, or even a planet exists, but none of them exist necessarily. The argument from contingency suggests that if everything is contingent, there must be something that exists necessarily—something that doesn’t depend on anything else for its existence. Theists identify this necessary being as God.

The Anthropic Principle: Why Is the Universe Fine-Tuned for Life?
The anthropic principle states that the universe appears to be finely tuned for human life. The conditions that allow for life on Earth—such as the planet’s distance from the sun, the composition
of the atmosphere, and the availability of water—are incredibly precise. Many argue that this is more than a coincidence. From a theistic perspective, this precision suggests intentional design rather than random chance.
The Role of Revelation and Scripture: Insight Beyond Reason
Philosophical arguments can provide a strong foundation for belief in God, but many people also turn to religious texts such as the Bible, the Quran, and the Torah for insight into God’s nature and purpose. These texts claim to offer divine revelation, revealing truths that are beyond the reach of human reason alone. Whether one interprets these texts literally or metaphorically, they remain central to humanity's search for meaning and understanding of the divine.
The Problem of Evil: A Challenge to Faith or an Opportunity for Growth?

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One of the strongest objections to the existence of God is the problem of evil. If God is all-powerful and all-good, why is there suffering and evil in the world? This is a difficult question, and one that theologians and philosophers have grappled with for centuries. Some argue that suffering serves a greater purpose, fostering personal growth,empathy, and spiritual maturity. Others point to the importance of freewill, suggesting that the existence of evil allows humans to make genuine moral choices. While the problem of evil remains a challenge, many believers view suffering as an opportunity for spiritual development rather than a reason to reject the existence of God.
Miracles: Evidence of Divine Intervention?
Throughout history, people have reported miraculous events—occurrences that defy natural explanation, such as the resurrectionof Jesus or modern-day healings. While skeptics often dismiss miracles as coincidences or anomalies, many believers see them as evidence of God’s active involvement in the world. Whether or not one accepts the reality of miracles, they remain an important part of the conversation around God’s existence.
Agnosticism: A Temporary or Permanent Position?
For those who identify as agnostic, the search for truth is ongoing. Agnostics acknowledge the possibility of God's existence but remain uncertain due to the lack of definitive evidence. However,
as philosopher William James argued, indecision itself is a choice. At some point, one must confront the existential question of God’s existence and its implications for life and morality. Agnosticism may be a temporary position, but it invites further exploration and reflection on the nature of reality. French philosopher Blaise Pascal proposed afamous argument known as Pascal’s Wager. In short, Pascal suggested that believing in God is the safer bet. If God exists and you believe, you gain
everything (eternal life). If God does not exist, you lose nothing by believing. While this argument doesn’t prove God’s existence, it highlights the potential benefits of belief, suggesting that the risks of disbelief outweigh the rewards of skepticism.
Faith and Reason in Harmony
The existence of God cannot be proven definitively,but the cumulative weight of philosophical, scientific, and experiential arguments makes belief in God a reasonable conclusion. For the agnostic or skeptic, the journey toward understanding God’s existence is not just a matter of intellectual pursuit but one of existential significance. In the end, faithand reason are not enemies; they are partners in the ongoing search fortruth, meaning, and our place within the universe.

 

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