One Man’s Modus Ponens…Part 2

Here is another argument for God, based on answered prayers:

1. If God exists, then it is very likely that prayers to God for healing from injury or disease would usually be immediately followed by instantaneous and complete healing, except when the injury or disease was the result of self-destructive, foolish, or morally wrong actions on the part of the person who is suffering from the injury or disease.

2. If it is NOT the case that God exists, then it is very unlikely that prayers to God for healing from injury or disease would usually be immediately followed by instantaneous and complete healing, except when the injury or disease was the result of self-destructive, foolish, or morally wrong actions on the part of the person who is suffering from the injury or disease.

3. Prayers to God for healing from injury or disease are usually immediately followed by instantaneous and complete healing, except when the injury or disease was the result of self-destructive, foolish, or morally wrong actions on the part of the person who is suffering from the injury or disease.

Therefore:

4. Other things being equal, it is probable that God exists.

This argument can be reformulated by asserting the negation of premise (3), thus turning the tables and making an argument against the existence of God:

1. If God exists, then it is very likely that prayers to God for healing from injury or disease would usually be immediately followed by instantaneous and complete healing, except when the injury or disease was the result of self-destructive, foolish, or morally wrong actions on the part of the person who is suffering from the injury or disease.

2. If it is NOT the case that God exists, then it is very unlikely that prayers to God for healing from injury or disease would usually be immediately followed by instantaneous and complete healing, except when the injury or disease was the result of self-destructive, foolish, or morally wrong actions on the part of the person who is suffering from the injury or disease.

5. It is NOT the case that prayers to God for healing from injury or disease are usually immediately followed by instantaneous and complete healing, except when the injury or disease was the result of self-destructive, foolish, or morally wrong actions on the part of the person who is suffering from the injury or disease.

Therefore:

6. Other things being equal, it is probable that God does NOT exist.