Existence of God proof study outlines/Composition proof outlines

Outline for Tablet to Auguste Forel, par. 17

Note also regarding "ether" in this reading, this is not seen as a real entity: https://bahai-library.com/uhj_infallibility_abdul-baha .

• I. The existence of beings is conditioned upon the coming together of various elements and their non-existence upon the decomposition of their constituent elements (as we can observe)
  • A. For decomposition causeth the dissociation of the various elements
  • B. We observe the coming together of elements giveth rise to the existence of beings
• II. Beings are infinite, they being the effect
• III. The Cause cannot be finite
• IV. As we consider the outpourings of Divine Grace we are assured of the existence of God

Outline for Tablet to Auguste Forel, par. 18

• I. Formation (the coming together of the various constituent elements of beings) is of three kinds and of three kinds only: accidental, necessary and voluntary
  • A. accidental
    • 1. Unto every effect there must be a cause
    • 2. (There is no cause for accidental formation)
    • 3. Formation (of effects) cannot be accidental
  • B. compulsory
    • 1. For compulsory formation, the formation is an inherent property of the constituent parts and the inherent property of a thing can in no wise be dissociated from it (the inherent properties of a thing cannot be separated from it)
      • a. Such as:
        • 1. light that is the revealer of things
        • 2. Heat that causeth the expansion of elements
        • 3. The solar rays which are the essential property of the sun
    • 2. Under such circumstances the decomposition of any formation is impossible
    • 3. (Decomposition occurs)
    • 4. Formation cannot be compulsory
  • C. voluntary
    • 1. An unseen force described as the Ancient Power, causeth these elements to come together, every formation giving rise to a distinct being
    • 2. Formation is the voluntary one

Outline for Tablet to Auguste Forel, par. 30

• I. Every arrangement and formation that is not perfect in its order we designate as accidental
• II. That which is orderly, regular, perfect in its relations and every part of which is in its proper place and is the essential requisite of the other constituent parts, this we call a composition formed through will and knowledge
• III. (To arrange many beings and elements into many forms requires will or understanding)
• IV. These infinite beings and the association of these diverse elements arranged in countless forms must have proceeded from a Reality that could in no wise be bereft of will or understanding
  • A. These infinite beings, these necessary relations, this perfect arrangement must of necessity have proceeded from a source that is not bereft of will and understanding
  • B. This infinite composition cast into infinite forms must have been caused by an all-embracing Wisdom
• V. It is not meant, however, that that Universal Reality or the attributes thereof have been comprehended
  • A. Neither its Essence nor its true attributes hath any one comprehended

Outline for Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 423-424

• I. It is a philosophical principle that the existence of phenomena implies composition and that mortality, or nonexistence, is equivalent to decomposition
  • A. For example
    • 1. Certain elements have come together, and as a result of that composition man is here
    • 2. Certain elements have entered into the structure of this flower
      • 3. Certain organic or cellular elements have been utilized in the composition of every animal organism
  • B. Therefore, we can state that existence necessitates composition, and death is another expression for decomposition
    • 1. When there is disintegration amongst these composing elements, that is death; that is mortality
      • a. The elements which have gone into the body of this flower and which have given existence to this form and shape will finally disintegrate
      • b. This beautiful organism will decompose; and this we call mortality, death.
    • 2. Consequently, the conclusion is that life means composition, and death is equivalent to decomposition
• II. On this account the materialists are of the opinion that life is the mere conjoining of elemental substances into myriad forms and shapes
  • A. The materialist comes to the conclusion that life, in other words, means composition; that wherever we find single elements combined in aggregate form, there we behold the phenomena of organic life; that every organic composition is organic life
    • 1. (They view that) composition is all there is to it, and that is accomplished by adhesion or cohesion
  • B. Now if life means composition of elements, then the materialist may come to the conclusion of the nonnecessity of a composer, the nonnecessity of a creator
• III. Composition must needs be of three kinds: One form of composition is termed philosophically the accidental, another the involuntary, and a third the voluntary; with the first two excluded, composition must be voluntary (from God)
  • A. As to the first, or accidental, composition
    • 1. (Accidental composition has no causation)
      • a. This would signify that certain elements through inherent qualities and powers of attraction or affinity have been gathered together, have blended, and so composed a certain form, being or organism
    • 2. Composition is an effect
    • 3. Philosophically no effect is conceivable without causation
      • a. No effect can be conceived of without some primal cause
      • b. For example
        • 1. This heat is an effect; but that energy which gives forth this phenomenon of heat is the cause
        • 2. This light is an effect, but back of it is the energy which is the cause
          • a. It is not possible or conceivable for this light to be separated from the energy whereof it is a property
    • 4. Accidental composition is, therefore, a false theory and may be excluded
  • B. As to the second form of composition--involuntary
    • 1. Involuntary composition means that each element has within itself as an inherent property the power of composition
      • a. For example
        • 1. The inherent quality of fire is burning, or heat; heat is a property of fire
        • 2. Humidity is the inherent nature or property of water. You cannot conceive H2O, which is the chemical form of water, without having humidity associated; for that is an inherent quality of water
      • b. The inherent nature of each element would be to hold fast together
        • 1. As fire cannot be separated from heat, likewise the elemental being could not be subjected to decomposition
    • 2. You cannot separate the effect from the cause (with involuntary composition)
      • a. The power of attraction has as its function attractive, or magnetic, qualities; we cannot separate attraction from that power
      • b. The power of repulsion has as its function repelling--sending off.
    • 3. (One can separate effects from the cause in nature.)
      • a. The elements which have gone into the makeup of a composite organism do decompose
      • b. We observe that after each composition there is a process of decomposition which forever ends it
      • c. We see decomposition everywhere
    • 4. Hence the involuntary composition theory is untrue
  • C. Then what have we left as a form of composition? It is the voluntary form of composition
    • 1. Voluntary composition is effected through a superior will, that there is will expressed in this motive or action
    • 2. It is thus proved that the existence of phenomena is effected through the eternal Will, the Will of the Living, Eternal and Self-subsistent

Outline for 'Abdu'l-Bahá on Divine Philosophy, pp. 103-106

• I. Science teaches us that all forms of creation are the result of composition
  • A. For example
    • 1. Certain single atoms are brought together through the inherent law of affinity and the result is the human being
    • 2. A number of primordial atoms have gone into the make-up of a plant, the result of which is this flower
    • 3. Again, looking into the mineral kingdom, we observe that this law of attraction is working in the same manner; many atoms go into the composition of a piece of stone which through purification may reach to the station of a mirror
• II. When the particles of a given composition are disintegrated, this may be called non-existence in that kingdom
  • A. However, the original simple elements go back into their primary atoms and are ever existent
  • B. When the body of man becomes the subject of decomposition we call that death
• III. That the existence of phenomena depends upon composition, and mortality upon decomposition, is a scientific fact
  • A. There is a great difference between facts sustained by science and theories upheld by blind belief which is the result of traditional susceptibility of conscience
• IV. The materialists question the necessity of a creator, the self-subsistent Lord
  • A. The materialists state that it is proved by science that the life of phenomena depends upon composition and its destruction upon disintegration
    • 1. "For," argue the materialists, "we see with our own eyes that these infinite beings go through myriads of forms of composition and in every combination they bring about certain distinctive characteristics"
  • B. They argue "...so we are independent of any divine maker"
• V. Those informed with divine philosophy answer that there are three theories of composition: first, accidental composition; second, involuntary composition; third, voluntary composition
  • A. If we declare that construction is accidental
    • 1. There are no effects without a cause
      • a. Our reason refuses to think of an effect without a primal cause
    • 2. This is logically a false theory
  • B. The second, involuntary composition, means that each element has within it an innate function of this power of composition — certain elements have flowed toward each other, their union being an inherent necessity of their being.
    • 1. But as long as we reason that it is the inherent necessity of those elements to enter into composition there should not be any necessity for decomposition
    • 2. Inasmuch as we observe that there is a process of decomposition
    • 3. We conclude that the constituent elements of life enter neither involuntarily
  • C. We conclude that the constituent elements of life enter voluntarily into composition
    • 1. This means that the infinite forms of organisms are composed through the superior will, the eternal will, the will of the living and self-subsistent Lord.
• VI. This is a rational proof that the will of the Creator is effected through the process of composition
  • A. Ponder over this and strive to comprehend its significance, that you may be enabled to convey it to others
  • B. The more you think it over, the greater will be your degree of comprehension ** C. Praise be to God that he has endowed you with a power through which you can penetrate mysteries
  • D. Verily, as you reflect deeply, ponder deliberately and think continually, the doors of knowledge will be opened unto you.