Argument from poor design

During my usual "wiki-walking" I came accross the following article

Argument from poor design

The argument from poor design is the argument I was posing the other day in my post Could have done a better job.

Prior to my posting the other day, I had no prior knowledge of this non-existence argument. Everything I wrote was my own idea, though of course I am not the first person to think such things. Indeed there are many more types of non-existence arguments.

Such occasions like this serve only to strengthen my belief in the non-existence of a God. The fact that I have thought about this concept and then discovered it is an existing argument, as opposed to the other way around; suggests my atheism is something that is inherent in me.

Atheism is a rather broad description though and can encompass a wide variety of beliefs. I could narrow the definition of my own personal views to be closer to antitheistic, that is; an opposition to the belief in God. While this is true for myself, I cannot be totally opposed to the belief in a deity or the organisation of such a belief into religion.

A supernatural belief system has served a purpose in the evolution of human society. As the human consciousness developed, so did the need for answers to complex questions to do with the nature of existence. Belief in God(s) is a quick and simple answer for that which cannot be explained. However as knowledge and science develops, these beliefs can be superseded. Whereas once people thought the earth was flat, and at the centre of the universe; a belief enforced by the church with the threat of death; we now know that this is not true.

Belief in a deity is also useful in developing a morals and ethics system. While these values are essentially born out of self preservation, it is easier to instill these values in a majority if it appears they are the insistence of an infallible higher power.

Belief in God also provides the weak minded with a great deal of comfort and reassurance in life; it gives people a purpose and meaning for their lives that they would otherwise not have. The thought of being loved is a wonderful experience and so to be convinced that one is loved by an omnipotent being is a powerful thing.

Let us not forget either that, while there will always be those who abuse it for their own personal agenda, the general intentions of religion are well meaning.

So it is for the positive impact that religion has and its effect of being the "opium of the masses," that I cannot be totally against it per se. Though just because religion can be good, doesn't mean it is true.

Which is why it is not for me