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<blockquote data-quote="Fred&amp;#039;s Myth" data-source="post: 4135829" data-attributes="member: 55587">&quot;Every being that exists either exists by itself, by its own essence or nature, or it does not exist by itself. If it exists by its own essence, then it exists necessarily and eternally, and explains itself. It cannot not exist, as a triangle cannot not have three sides. If, on the other hand, a being exists but not by its own essence, then it needs a cause, a reason outside itself for its existence. Because it does not explain itself, something else must explain it. Beings whose essence does not contain the reason for their existence, beings that need causes, are called contingent, or dependent, beings. A being whose essence is to exist is called a necessary being. The universe contains only contingent beings. God would be the only necessary being—if God existed. Does he? Does a necessary being exist? Here is the proof that it does. Dependent beings cannot cause themselves. They are dependent on their causes. If there is no independent being, then the whole chain of dependent beings is dependent on nothing and could not exist. But they do exist. Therefore there is an independent being.&quot;&nbsp; -Peter Kreeft</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Fred's Myth, post: 4135829, member: 55587"] "Every being that exists either exists by itself, by its own essence or nature, or it does not exist by itself. If it exists [U]by its own essence[/U], then it exists necessarily and eternally, and explains itself. It cannot [U]not[/U] exist, as a triangle cannot not have three sides. If, on the other hand, a being exists but not by its own essence, then it needs a cause, a reason outside itself for its existence. Because it does not explain itself, something else must explain it. Beings whose essence does not contain the reason for their existence, beings that need causes, are called contingent, or dependent, beings. A being whose essence is to exist is called a necessary being. The universe contains only contingent beings. God would be the only [U]necessary[/U] being—if God existed. Does he? Does a necessary being exist? [B]Here is the proof that it does. [/B]Dependent beings cannot cause themselves. They are dependent on their causes. If there is no independent being, then the whole chain of dependent beings is dependent on nothing and could not exist. But they do exist. Therefore there is an independent being." -Peter Kreeft [/QUOTE]

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