Chapter 3

We know about God in several different ways. In the previous chapters, Calvin claimed that we know God from his creation and from the scriptures. Also, we know about God from our own crappiness. Then, in chapter 3, Calvin claims that we're not completely crappy, because we all have within us an instinctive sense of the divine.

*Sigh*

This is just simply not true. There is no way this is provable, but it is easily falsifiable.

So, anyway, how does Calvin prove this claim?

 1. Universality of Religion: Calvin claims that even the most "barbarous" and "stupid" people of the farthest reaches of the world have religion. This, he sees, as a "tacit confession."

I see it as a negative proof.

2. Even non-Believers Want to Believe: Johnny claims that even real a-holes like Caligula were tormented by their resistance to God. God gnaws on their conscience and comes to them in dreams. Thus proving that no human mind can escape the idea of God.

What in the hell is he talking about?

3. Don't Be a Brute: Anybody who has their head screwed on straight knows that the idea of the divine is imprinted in people's gray matter. When we deny God, we take on a "stupid insensibility." People who deny God are desensitizing themselves to what they know. But, if you do that you'll turn into a "brute." Why? Because worshiping God is the "only thing that renders men superior to brutes."

This whole brute craziness reminded me of a couple things. 1) Cheap Cologne  2) Thomas Hobbes

In his book, Leviathan, Hobbes uses the same sort of language in referring to man. He wonders how we avoid being animal-like barbarians in the "state of nature" and how society advances. His answer is not religion, however. Instead it is contractarian ethics as enforced by a strong, lawful government.

Sorry, John. I think Tom has you on this one. We don't act like animals because we desire a better existence for our selves. Our self-interest, not our religion moves us toward evolving.

Ok, here is the picture you've been waiting for: