Validity of revelation

The power of revelation

• providing proof of Gods existence or belief
• helping people to start a religion
• helping people to know what they should do to live as God wishes

Providing proof

• the beauty and complexity of nature can convince theists that God exists
• the occurance of miracles is also another form of proof that God exists

Reality?

One of the issues that religions and thiests have to face is proving to themselves, and to others whether or not revelation is genuine. 

Difficulties...

• Special - only occur to specific groups of individuals so are subjective and difficult to prove 
• General - available to everyone although different people claim to have experienced different things maing it hard to prove the actual experience.

Supporting...

• Does the revelation change an atheist or agnostic to believe in God? If it does, it may be genuine.

illusion?

Atheists would argue that as God doesn't exist, that any revelation is an illusion. Theists have to find evidence to prove to themselves and others that a revelation is true. 

Atheists reject the reality of revelation for these reasons:

• it is a false experience brought on by drugs or alchol
• wishful thinking
• mental/physical illness
• mind playing tricks