Thread by @MidbellSoul

The Argument from Contingency: this argument alone destroys atheism. There is no refutation.

[Thread]

We’re going to walk through a series of simple and true premises. From them comes a true conclusion: there *must* exist an Independent, Singular, Necessary Being
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First, let’s define contingency.

A contingent reality is a reality that depends on something else. So it could have either existed or not existed, and could have existed in a different way.

A pen, tree, human, and the universe itself are all contingent. For example, the
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universe depends on 1) being caused in the first place, 2) the substituent parts that make it up (matter, time, space, etc), and 3) variation; it could have existed a different way or not at all

The universe is contingent—it draws its qualities from these preceding factors
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The atheist argues that all reality is built ONLY upon contingent things, as a non contingent thing must be independent of anything else and be self-existent. In other words, God.

Let’s see if the atheist perspective—a reality built only on contingent things—can be possible
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We know the universe itself is contingent. These are the possible options that it could be dependent on:

1) a finite chain of other contingent realities (CR)

2) an infinite chain of other CR
or

3) A non contingent reality (NCR) then any number of CR, if any
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The first option can’t work. Since a CR depends on something for its existence, in the absence of such a thing, the CR couldn’t exist.

In a finite chain, the first CR’s conditions aren’t fulfilled. It has nothing to depend on, and couldn’t exist. Thus, the chain as a whole
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collapses, resulting in the current CR (the universe) to also lose its conditions and cease to exist. Since the universe does exist, option 1 is impossible.

See 1 —> 3 in the diagram below

Well, what if the chain was circular, in that the first CR depends on the last CR? This is also impossible

All points on the circle are contingent on the one before it, and thus it loops back to being contingent on itself. This means that all CR(x) in the chain are dependent
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on themselves, which contradict their own nature. Arguing for a circular chain of CR actually adds to the necessity of a NCR, a self-existent and independent reality

Okay then what about option 2, an infinite chain of CR? This is also impossible. Each CR on the infinite chain
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is dependent on another CR. But any specific CR doesn’t have its own *actual* existence. Since CR(x) depends on the one before it, and so on infinitely, there doesn’t exist a true CR with its conditions fulfilled, and consequently there is no CR to allow for a following one to
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exist. It’s the same as summing together an infinite number of 0’s—the sum is still 0.

An infinite regress of CR means none of their contingencies are met, and none can exist. Imagine having a jar of infinite marbles. The chances of pulling one out is
1/infinity, which is 0
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This means you could never single out one specific marble. In the same way, you could never single out one CR to cause, or depend on, another CR. Since the universe exists, this option cannot be possible either

This leaves us with the last option: a NCR must exist
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The qualities of such a NCR must be: independent, self-existent, and one

It must be one because if there were many, it introduces a variable that needs explanation: what differs them? If there are differences, they all become contingent on what caused them to differ
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So the NCR, which must exist as a logical necessity, is independent, self-existent, and one

In the Quran:
“Say He, Allah, is One. Allah, the Self-Existent. He begets not, nor is He begotten, and there is none equal to Him”

The definition of the NCR is the definition of God
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So what do atheists say?

1) The universe is not contingent

-This is just false. Nothing else to say

2) The universe is contingent on the multiverse

-The “multiverse” would still be contingent as it has specific qualities that need explanation

3) God is contingent because
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He has specific qualities, such as justice, wisdom, or location

-These qualities are contingent on Himself

Let me explain. The greatest attribute of God is Oneness. This is why the message of all the prophets is monotheism. His Oneness alone is what is non contingent,
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uncreated, independent

From a mathematical perspective, anything that is itself, is one, because the number 1 is the only true unit. All other numbers have value *because* they are referenced to 1. But what gives value to 1? Itself—it is independent. It’s the explanation for
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all numbers while not requiring an explanation for itself.

God’s Oneness is the same. He is transcendent from all things—logic, concepts, natures. All is contingent on Him, including specific attributes He has chosen for Himself. Islamically, we know this to be true, as it’s
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narrated in an authentic hadith that God said:

“O my servants, I have forbidden injustice for Myself and I have forbidden it among you.”

This tells us His quality of justice is contingent on Himself—He chose injustice to be forbidden, a mercy to us. It didnt have to be that way

In conclusion, the argument states:

-there must exist a NCR—God—in order for contingent things to exist

-contingent things exist

-therefore, God must exist

If you don’t want to call the NCR God, fine. You can say this instead

If you benefitted at all from this, please rt to spread the knowledge and follow for future posts similar to this

JzkAllah khair :)