Drange-Argument From Nonbelief

Here is part of an argument from Theodore Drange's article, "The Argument from Nonbelief" from Religious Studies 29 (1993): 417-32. Cambridge University Press.

Drange asks us to consider some claims and an argument:

Set P= the following three propositions:

(a) There exists a being who rules the entire universe.

(b) That ruler of the universe has a son.

(c) The ruler of the universe sent his (or her or its) son to be savior of humanity.

Situation S= the situation of all, or almost all, humans since the time of Jesus coming to believe all three propositions of set P by the time of their physical death.

The Argument:

(A) If God were to exist, then he would possess all of the following of four properties (among others):

(1) Being able to bring about situation S, all things considered.

(2) Wanting situation S, i.e., having it among his desires.

(3) Not wanting anything that conflicts with his desire for situation S as strong as it.

(4) Not being irrational, which entails that he would never refrain from acting in accord with his own highest purposes.

(B) If a being which has all four properties listed above were to exist, then situation S would have to obtain.

(C) But situation S does not obtain. It is not the case that all, or almost all, humans since the time of Jesus have come to believe all three propositions of set P by the time of their physical death.

(D) Therefore, [from B and C], there does not exist a being who possesses all four properties listed in premises (A).

(E) Hence [from A and D], God does not exist.

end of Drange's argument.

Some Additional Considerations about Divine Hiddenness and Nonbelief

1. It appears that God is hiding.

a. More people could believe than who do.

b. There are events, kinds of evidence, kinds of experiences, that if more people had them, then more of them would believe.

c. An omnipotent being could make its existence obvious and undeniable.

d. We have searched high and low.

e. There are 750-950 million atheists.

f. There are over 3 billion non-believers worldwide (monotheistic judeo-Christian-Islamic God)

2. Many non-believers maintain that the conditions make their lack of belief inculpable. They can’t all be foolish, unreasonable, or unreflective about the matter.

3. What reasons could God have for allowing inculpable non-belief?

4. Are there any good reasons that we can think of (from behind the veil of ignorance) that might lead such a being to not reveal himself? At best, these will be speculative. It has been alleged that : (from Divine Hiddenness, eds. Howard Snyder and Moser, pgs. 9-10.)

a. Maybe revealing himself is not a high priority. It is not something he wants. That would explain why he doesn’t do it. It’s not that he can’t do it, he doesn’t want to.

b. Remaining hidden enables people to freely love, trust and obey Him. Coercion is incompatible with love.

c. Being hidden prevents a human response based on improper motives like fear of punishment.

d. Being hidden prevent humans from relating to God and their knowledge of God in a presumptuous way.

e. God's being hidden allows us to recognize the wretchedness of life on our own without God, and to stimulate us to search for him with the appropriate attitude (contrition.)

f. If he revealed himself, then it would not be possible to have the real risk associated with passionate faith.

g. If he revealed himself, then the temptation to doubt would be reduced or eliminated. Doubt makes religious diversity possible and gives us opportunities to assist others and ourselves in building personal relationships with God.