The teleological argument was updated by William Paley.
William Paley came up with an explanation using a watch; ‘ Paleys watch.’
If a man found a watch, which is something he had never seen before, he would wonder who designed it. It would be assumed that the watch did not simply evolve.
Similarly, if we were to look at animals, birds, plants and see how each of these things has been brilliantly designed to fit its own purpose. We would conclude that these things would have to have been made by a brilliant maker. Paley refers to this maker as God.
Another question the teenager may ask could be:
‘ How did organic life come to be in the universe?’
The Christians may argue that life requires a ‘parent’, a lifegiver. Somewhere at the beginning of it all there has to be someone who created life. Where has the life come from? It has to have come from somewhere. There has to be an original lifegiver. Christians would call the lifegiver God.
Another question may be:
‘ How has intelligent thought emerged, enabling us to ask these questions?’
Humans and animals alike are very intelligent. Humans have the highest intelligence known. We are able to think and process thoughts. We are able to ask inquisitive questions. We have the ability to learn. Where did this come from though? Christians would argue that there was a thinking mind, which is not giving us the answers but the power in order to think. Christians call this thinking mind God.
Another question that may be asked is:
‘ How is it we recognise awe and the numinous in a sunset, beauty, music etc?’
The original meaning of the word ‘Awe’ was something that was so amazing you couldn’t understand; something that is bigger than yourself. At some point we have all been dazzled by something. When something is so great or so powerful that it is almost frightening. You may have witnessed a beautiful sunset which would have amazed or dazzled you. Some say that you get a great feeling of awe when you witness a birth of a child. You may experience feelings whilst watching these things that are very powerful. Christians say that a great power behind the universe has given us the power to appreciate and understand these things. This great power is what Christians call God.
Another question that the teenager may ask is:
‘ How do we come to recognise the need for rules and morality?’
Rules are there to protect you. Parents do not just set rules for their children to annoy or torment them; they make them so that they can protect them. If there were no rules and people, children were allowed to do as they please; stay out late, drink exceedingly at a young age; things would be a lot worse than the world with rules. Without rules, people at their own mercy at what is going to happen. Although bad things do still happen in the world, people do recognise the need for rules.
Christians say that there is an ethical lawgiver. To whom they call God.
Another question they may ask would be:
‘ How is it we recognise the value of love?’
Love is not just boyfriends and girlfriends. There are many different types of love, for example love from your parents or love from your friends. Love means bonding with somebody, getting on with them well. Many people want to protect those who they love. Love is a wonderful thing it makes the world a better place. Christians say that there is a big love giver, whom they call God. ‘ God = Love ’ This is used by a lot of Christians, they say that God is love. He loves us all, even those who do not believe in him. Christians believe that Gods love and understanding help them through hard times.
These are the set of answers Christians would give to these questions.
In addition to brain arguments, Christians may use arguments from religious experience.
