The universe did not create itself

The Editor, Sir:

I would like to respond to Michael A. Dingwall's letter titled 'Poor Rev Dick' (September 26). How do I know that God exists? I know that God exists because the Bible exists, and the Bible is the inspired Word of God. How do I know that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and not merely a book of fiction? Because there is no other plausible explanation of the existence of the universe.

Additionally, there is no other book in existence that is as intellectually complex and theologically in depth as the Bible. This book had to have been inspired by God, not by man. The universe did not create itself; there had to be something there before. Nothing from nothing leaves nothing. It is hard for us human beings to fathom the existence of a being that had no beginning, but God was here when there was no here. God was God before time as we know it existed.

Christian religion

How can I prove this? I can't, and that is the beauty of the Christian religion, because it is by faith that we accept that God is the divine Creator of this vast universe. Pain exists, but we can't see it, yet we know it there because we feel it. If there is bad, then there must be good and if there is good, then there is morality and if there is morality, then there is a moral authority giver to whom we are all answerable.

Atheism is a foolish and short-sighted concept because many atheists follow moral principles. Why do they live according to these principles if there is no God to whom they will ultimately be held accountable? To say that they live according to certain moral principles because they respect the rights of others doesn't answer the question adequately.

There has to be a deeper purpose for living a righteous life, otherwise life would make no sense. Biblical scriptures lay out the moral principles by which mankind ought to live. How did these principles come into being if not by a divine being?

I am, etc.,

PATRICK GALLIMORE

pagalley@hotmail.com

Kingston