THE PRESUPPOSITIONS OF SOUND WORDS

"God is dead", so says Friedrich Nietszche. This editor stands in awe of the mass of people who are indoctrinated into worldviews without any or sufficient reason. In our modern world, the average person has a strong tendency to embrace whatever is presupposed to be true by whoever has written the book being read or whoever has produced the TV show that is being watched. For example, Evolution is taken as truth, although even the scientific community admits it is still a theory. Likewise today's Christians presuppose the existence of God. They do not seek a reason for the faith they have apart from the Bible. In fact, many Christians do not even know why they believe what they believe. In the debate over the existence of God the non-believer asks the question "Why should I believe there is a God?" The Christian says ". . . because the Bible says so." The atheist says " I don't believe in the Bible." The Christian says ". . . because the Bible says so."

In this section of Sound Words, it is not my intent to presuppose the existence of God (although, I the editor am a Christian), or the validity of the Bible. I will seek to prove these things with compelling evidence using various means. In this section of my webpage, I will appeal to various sources for evidence and will expect and desire reasonable critiques of the evidence provided. However, mere assertions to the contrary will not be regarded as legitimate objections. Sound Words will only presuppose logic (which includes formal and informal fallacies of argumentation) and plain reason. This terminology "plain reason" is somewhat nebulous. Thus, what this means is there are certain basic laws required for intelligent, human discourse that Sound Words will presuppose. Historically these have been fundamental axioms in philosophical, and theological debate. These three laws are essential for us to be able to communicate intelligently and with a fair amount of order and progress.

The three basic laws of intelligent human discourse are the law of non-contradiction, law of causality, and the basic reliability of sense perception. First, the law of non-contradiction states that A cannot be A and non-A at the same time and in the same relationship. For example, a man cannot be a father and a son at the same time and in the same relationship.

Next, we have the law of causality. The law of causality states that every effect must have a sufficient cause. For example, the sufficient cause for starting a dry piece of paper on fire is the application of a heat source. This is similar to the old saying nothing comes from nothing.

The basic reliability of sense perception is our final law for intelligent human discourse. This law is important because we gather knowledge concerning the world around us with our senses. Without any of my senses I can only be aware of my own existence. Moreover, the basic reliability of sense perception states that these senses are basically reliable, not infallibly or absolutely reliable. For example, we all see trees. They appear solid. However, we know that wood is made up of atoms which move from here to there.

In summary, it is these presuppositions Sound Words will take into account in its debates concerning the existence of God. The essays in Sound Words are not meant to be taken personally by anyone. Please do not take them personally. Rather, allow the author's words to speak for himself. If you disagree, submit your own words. However, these presuppositions will be used to determine which essays will be posted on Sound Words to represent each respective side. In closing, if submitting to Sound Words, you should use sound words. If you are reading, remember to look for sound words.

Israel J. Contreras

Editor of Sound Words

The gauntlet is laid down.