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The Existential (questions about life and existence) and Psychological arguments are good for debates as additional evidence, but there needs to be a careful approach to these particular defenses because the opposing debater will surely twist them into evolutionary developed feelings. These arguments focus on why belief in God seems to naturally arise from our human experiences and mental states, rather than relying on traditional philosophical or scientific proofs.
Naturally is the word used most when explaining the facets of these arguments. One thing that must be realized, but can quickly be lost is that the origin of all things natural were supernaturally conceived. So let's dive in.
The Existential Arguments are many. They explore how our deep need for meaning and purpose in life might point to the existence of God.
Humans have a desire to ask the "big questions." Paul Tillich and Søren Kierkegaard claim that humans are compelled to ask tough questions, questions that we do not naturally know the answers to. These questions often are: Why do we exist? What happens when we die? Why do we suffer? Questions like these reflect that we are searching for something bigger than ourselves—something infinite or eternal. This "something" could be God. This is where God's word steps in. Through scripture God has answered these questions unlike any other faith in the world. Kierkegaard talks about making a “leap of faith” toward belief in God, especially when logic and reason don't give us clear answers to life’s biggest problems. In other words, one must embrace faith when the paths of logic and reason run short of the answer.
Something that every human desires is meaning. As a matter of fact meaning and purpose are so important that when live in a world that decries meaning and purpose and that we are just a blob of cells randomly put together meaning and purpose are impossible because accidental events can't have meaning or purpose.
Life can feel random or meaningless at times, and some argue that belief in God can give us a sense of direction and purpose. People like Viktor Frankl say that God helps us make sense of our lives, especially when we face suffering or hardship. But it isn't just God. His word helps us make sense of this world. Something I say often is I don't always understand God, but He makes sense because He is God and I shouldn't understand everything about Him.
Absurdity is another Existential Argument. Thinkers like Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre saw life as fundamentally absurd or without inherent meaning. However, we run from absurdity. When something is absurd we usually discount its relevance for our lives and seek to have replace it with something that makes sense. God is what helps us make sense of what otherwise would be absurd if God did not exist.
Some people, as we discussed in part 3 of this series, believe that without God, there would be no clear sense of right or wrong. Authors like Dostoevsky have suggested that God provides a moral foundation, meaning that faith helps us understand what’s good, bad, or just. I would argue that we not only would not have a clear sense, we would have no sense of right or wrong. The words wouldn't even be in our vocabulary. Yet we constantly claim, objectively, what is right and wrong in our world.
I want to move on to the Psychological Arguments. These arguments suggest that belief in God comes from how our minds work, helping us meet certain mental and emotional needs.
Comfort and security is likely the most important to us. Sigmund Freud argued that belief in God is a way to feel safe in a scary world. We invent a "God" figure to feel less vulnerable, like how children feel safe with a protective parent. In this view, God is like a comforting idea that helps us cope with fear and uncertainty. Critics of this idea argue that belief in God is more than just a psychological crutch—it’s a deeper part of human experience across all cultures. I take it further and say it is the fingerprint of God in our lives. We feel an "indescribable peace" given only by the "God of peace" deep within our soul (Philippians 4:4-9).
Studies in the science of how our brains work suggest that humans are naturally inclined to believe in a higher power. Some scientists, like Justin Barrett, suggest that our brains are designed to detect “agents” or beings behind events (like storms, sickness, etc.), which may have led early humans to believe in gods or spirits. This “hardwiring” could explain why belief in God feels natural to many people. That hardwiring is predisposed in us, inborn. We are made, rather created to be that way because we are the children of God. We are His masterpiece and we always long, even as we reject Him, for the Creator who made us.
Psychologists like Carl Jung and William James argue that belief in God can improve mental health. For example, religious beliefs can help people feel more balanced, peaceful, and fulfilled. Faith often gives people a sense of meaning and purpose, which leads to better mental health and emotional resilience. There are also plenty of studies that show those that believe in a "higher power", especially Christians, tend to live longer, happier, healthier lives.
Going beyond the self suggests that belief in something higher than ourselves, like God, helps us grow as people. It allows us to rise above our own needs and focus on greater goals. This can lead to personal growth, happiness, and the ability to find meaning, even in tough times. Psychologists Abraham Maslow and Viktor Frankl are proponents of this psychological argument.
To conclude, both the existential and psychological arguments suggest that belief in God comes from deep within us—from our need for meaning, purpose, and psychological well-being. Whether or not these arguments prove that God exists, they explain why belief in God is a natural response to the challenges and mysteries of life. However, the mere fact that humans observe and retain these thoughts and intuitions is evidence that God exists, otherwise no God no existential or psychological reflections.
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