At the outset, I'd like to draw a distinction between what you are doing with me and what I am doing with the interviewees in the 5 SE chats. I am politely exploring the epistemological bases for people's beliefs, whereas you seem much more intent on proving me wrong (i.e. "challenging" me). Street Epistemology is not a contest or a clash of beliefs. It's a respectful Q&A between interviewer and interviewee.
Okay, with one distinction you could argue that. To a point (the challenge of making sense of a worldview is something you are also asking the theist to explain) so overall I would respectfully disagree. I am being direct and bolder in my questions. You see, I am also trying to understand how you can make sense of your worldview (I question the possibility, ultimately of you doing it) - the fundamental or core nuts and bolts (beliefs) that hold your worldview together. There is usually a clash between two parties when an opposing belief is questioned because we tend to protect our underlying or core beliefs that everything else rests upon. Once our core beliefs are found wanting the options are either cling to an illogical faith/belief, find better reasons, or find a new one. So much rides on our core suppositions. I believe the deeper I dig into atheism the more frustrating the process will become for you in justifying your belief system. There is a subtle war going on between your worldview and mine (believer and unbeliever) in making sense of existence. We oppose and undermine each other subconsciously. I understand that.
1) What is your explanation of the origins of existence? Why does anything exist?
I don't know.
Then you are ignorant (not knowing) and have not made sense of how and why we exist.
In explaining existence as a Christian I appeal to a necessary Being of which neither you or I am. A necessary Being is Someone who can give reason and certainty. Without that Being, and that Beings revelation, we can only speculate. So, based on what you have given me on this point, I argue I have a more reasonable belief.
More questions.
1) a) Is it reasonable to believe that life and our existence come from non-life which would have to be your default if you deny a personal eternally existing God. Please explain.
1) b) Is it more reasonable to believe a self-existent, thus necessary being gives existence to other beings or is there a better explanation you can offer?
2) How did the existence of this universe happen?
I don't know.
Again, ignorance - no explanation. Nothing made sense of it.
The Christian worldview explains that the universe has a beginning. That corresponds to many variables from science that back up a beginning. The cause of the universe comes from a self-existing eternal Being, Someone outside the physical realm and time who has revealed Himself to humanity. There are various checks and balances that give the Bible reasonableness.
Is your worldview capable of making sense of these first two questions?
I believe so. Because I lack the evidence to answer these questions, I simply say "I don't know." I think beliefs should be substantiated by evidence. If there is no evidence to substantiate belief, there should be no belief.
"I don't know," tells me nothing about how or why the universe exists or if there is something behind its existence. The Christian worldview can offer evidence for its truth claims, a claimed revelation that is reasonable to believe because it would come from a reasoning and omniscient being who has left us the evidence. That is not only historical evidence but philosophical and logical evidence. There is a purpose to the universe from such a being (God created it for His glory and He created a being, the human, who can also enjoy and appreciate its grandeur and awesomeness). If the revelation is true (which again is reasonable to believe) we can make sense of the universe.
More points for my Christian worldview as being more reasonable!
So, more questions.
2) a) With an atheist perspective, how do "I think beliefs" originate from the physical, non-conscious, random chance happenstance of events.
2) b) Is there an original "starting" cause that is sufficient for the universe, or is it an infinite regression of cause and effects?
2) c) If there is an original cause how did that happen? Self-creation is not reasonable for it implies that nothing created something.
2) d) i) If chance happenstance then why are the laws of nature sustainable and predictable and ii) why do we find reasons that we are able to put into mathematical principles in an indifferent universe?
I believe and would be willing to offer substantiated evidence from the biblical standpoint as to its reasonableness. That would be a detailed explanation. One of many pieces of evidence has to do with history and prophecy. Another is the internal consistency of the 66 different writings concerning the themes. A third would be the typology of most of the OT in reflecting Jesus Christ that is revealed in the NT in spiritual truths. Another would be the reasonableness of the biblical God in explanation morality. I would argue He is necessary for making sense of it.