Subject: Does Materialism Exist?

To: DAN CEPPA

From: ROGER GRIFFITH

Date: 10/9/94 3:57:01 PM

1. MATERIALISM IS SIMPLISTIC

To sweep away all the complexities of this world and put forth the maxim, "Whatever is, is matter," demonstrates the grossest simplicity. The universe is far too complex and varied to be the dull world which materialists attempt to make it.

2. MATERIALISM IS GUILTY OF REDUCTIONISM

The method or process of reductionism selects one element of reality as absolute and reduces the rest of reality to that one category. Anything not reducible is relegated to nonexistence. This process reduces man to the status of a stone, for everything has the same material (neutrons, protons, and electrons). While idealists reduce reality to "mind" and deny the existence of "matter," materialists reduce reality to "matter" and deny the existence of "mind." They are both guilty of reductionism.

3. MATERIALISM IS INADEQUATE

TO EXPLAIN THE ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE

First, if (as the materialists claim) all knowledge is restricted to what our senses can perceive, then no one can logically discuss the origin of the universe or life because no person alive was there to perceive it. When the materialist speaks of origins, he has ventured into the realm of religion and metaphysics. Second, the materialists have yet to adequately explain why anyone should accept the astounding premises they present to account for the origin of the universe and life. They would have us accept:

a. Everything ultimately came from nothing

b. Order came from chaos

c. Harmony came from discord

d. Life came from nonlife

e. Reason came from irrationality

f. Personality came from nonpersonality

g. Morality came from amorality

Believing the above claims of the materialist takes greater faith than believing that a personal, infinite, rational God created this universe.

4. MATERIALISM DOES NOT CORRESPOND TO REALITY

The world appears to be more than matter, so materialism simply denies what it cannot explain. Simple denials carry very little weight with the thinking person. If all is matter, then where did the idea of "mind" come from? If all is matter why and how do we account for mental/emotional phenomena such as intention and love? Why are the materialists kept busy attempting to explain away the experiences of people who have had contact with the supernatural or paranormal?

5. MATERIALISM USES CIRCULAR LOGIC

When confronted by evidence of nonmaterial realities, a materialist will attempt to "refute" or "debunk" such evidence by merely redefining it in materialistic terminology. Just because he redefines something, however, does not mean he has refuted it. Yet, this is the common practice of materialists when faced with the question of "mind."

Origin: (1:301/10)

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