Why I Believe — Paul Alan Cox “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and to my mi…

"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and to my mind the assertion that there is no God falls into the nature of an extraordinary claim."

Paul Alan Cox, an ethnobotanist and a Mormon, contributed his explanation of why he believes in collection of such statements, "Why I Believe" (BookCraft, 2002, ISBN 1-57008-723-7). Here is my favorite excerpt of his comments that express some of my ideas very well (p. 126).

"During my studies I became aware that some people struggle with apparent contradictions between science and religion. Some scientists are suspicious of those with religious convictions, and some religious people regard science as an evil force. While I don't belittle those who agonize over such issues, I must admit that I personally have found few contradictions between faith and science. What I have learned about science has only increased my admiration for Heavenly Father and His creations.

"Like the Book of Mormon prophet Alma, 'I have all things as a testimony that these things are true.' (See Alma 30:40-41.) The overall harmony and beauty of the heavens and of the earth are to my mind a powerful witness of the reality of God. 'All things denote that there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.' (Alma 30:44.) Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and to my mind the assertion that there is no God falls into the nature of an extraordinary claim. While I respect those who have no religious beliefs, I have never seen anyone produce one shred of credible evidence that there is no God.

"Of all of the sentient beings in the entire universe, surely one is the most intelligent, and is is this Being that I call God. Millions of people can bear the same witness I do: that He lives!"

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