There are very logical reasons to reject the beliefs of theism or deism. However, there will always be gaps between logic and science because logical thinking has limits, and logical arguments do not include all the human experience.
Here are several gaps in atheist logic that still remain open.
The Limits of “Only Science Can Explain Reality”
The most critical lack of atheist reasoning is the false claim that only science has the ability to find truth. Science does find truth, but science also ignores certain metaphysical issues and moral issues, or issues about the nature of consciousness.
Most importantly, science does not tell us why or for what reason the universe exists. To only use empirical data to describe how the universe works ignores the greater degree of human experience: reasoning, ethics, beauty, sixth sense, and meaning all come from a source that is not explained totally by logic and science.
Human experience is much more significant and complex than can be measured in the laboratory, and the belief that only by science are all answers found diminishes the complete nature of truth.
The Problem of Consciousness
Many atheists choose to refrain from talking about consciousness, as consciousness does not fit cleanly into the physical realm.
Science has not yet created a clear picture on the subject of consciousness: it still does not have a complete solution for the mystery of self-awareness, intuitive thinking, or the feeling of moral responsibility that we experience as humans.
The way in which atheists tend to explain consciousness is “the brain produces thoughts.” This does not begin to explain why we experience anything at all.
Spirituality offers an alternative perspective regarding consciousness and the possibility that consciousness exists outside the world of biology. By simply dismissing religion as irrelevant and offering nothing in place of it, atheism reveals a philosophical void that most of the people of the world feel intuitively.
Morality Without a Foundation
The claim made by many atheists that morality derives solely from human consensus or evolutionary advancement poses another issue.
If morality were simply a cultural adaptation, then anything could be defined as “right” or “wrong” based on the beliefs, habits, or customs of a particular society or individual.
However, people around the world seem to agree that all people throughout history have believed some actions are wrong (regardless of location or time).
Meaning and Purpose Without Higher Ground
It can be said that a person creates their own meaning; while this is only partly correct, the purpose a person creates for themselves based solely on opinion may fail when times are tough.
Loss, suffering, or unforeseen circumstances in life may be challenging enough that the answer one was so sure of is no longer valid, and the hope of finding some sort of meaning may not be possible.
As human beings, we tend to seek out something greater than ourselves (the universe). Atheists cannot seem to explain this universal yearning for something greater than us.
Most spiritual traditions view this desire as evidence of something higher; therefore, alternative meanings to the human experience through atheism have very little foundation to stand upon, thus making their explanations appear incomplete or unsatisfying/emotionally lacking.
The Question of Why Anything Exists
A common gap in the atheist explanation of how existence began is that they typically claim that “the universe came from nothing” or “the universe has always existed.” But neither of these explanations really explains how something could come out of nothing.
As stated by many scientists, the mystery of how reality came to be remains a mystery. Furthermore, many atheists dismiss the concept of God without providing an adequate alternative.
Therefore, even though the questions surrounding the birth of the universe are unanswerable, we still ask them because it is human nature to want to know why there is something instead of nothing.
And therefore, the inability of atheists to answer the above questions leaves an opening for a spiritual possibility, even for those who believe themselves to be strictly logical.
The Inner Experiences That Logic Cannot Measure
Many people experience things that can’t be explained by logic, like intuition, synchronicity, prayer, love, and awe. Atheists often view these experiences as constructed illusions or emotional weaknesses of people.
But millions of people describe life-changing moments, coincidences, and feeling the presence of spirit. There is more to human experience than the basic principles of logic.
Atheists often reduce these experiences to coincidence, thus dismissing the potential that something real is being experienced by people. In fact, there is a gap between intellectual explanation and reality, and many people find their spirituality in this space.
The Human Need for Connection With the Divine
Regardless of the influence of educational or scientific advancements, humans have always sought guidance, purpose, and God throughout history, and while atheism may argue this desire stems from cultural influence, for many, that argument seems insufficient.
There have always been so many religions, beliefs, and different deities around the world, without any connection to each other.
The universality of humanity’s yearning for something transcendent indicates there is something broader at work within each of us.
Born and raised in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ever since I was a little girl, my imagination knew no bounds. I remember vividly how I’d scribble down short stories, each page bursting with adventures and characters conjured up from the whimsy of my mind. These stories weren’t just for me; they were my way of connecting with my friends, offering them a slice of my fantasy world during our playtimes. The joy and excitement on their faces as we dived into my fictional realms motivated me to keep writing. This early passion for storytelling naturally evolved into my pursuit of writing, turning a childhood hobby into a fulfilling career.