Is this argument on equal ground with the Kalam Cosmological Argument? Mine. Premise 1: Nothing that begins to exist can come from no things, Premise 2: The universe came from either something, or no thing, Premise 3: The universe exists, Conclusion: Therefore the universe began to exist out of something. The Kalam. Premise 1: Whatever begins to exist has a cause, Premise 2: The universe began to exist, Conclusion: The universe has a cause. Definitions: Universe - the totality of all existence, time, space, energy, matter. No thing - absolute absence of existence. (All other definitions are their dictionary definitions, to my knowledge.) If you were God (assuming there to be a god) define yourself, characteristics, edicts, laws. Would you have heaven and hell (eternal reward, or eternal punishment) how would you be just (if you so chose to be a just God). What would be a sin against you, and would you punish sin, if so how? I'm just interested to see the results, Atheists please suspend your disbelief. Theists please try to think beyond the realm of the God which you believe in, I want to see what a human would be like as a god. Also please state, whether you subscribe to a religion or not at the beginning of your post. If you do subscribe to a religion please put which one, and please atheists and theists, put your epistemological standpoint as well, (the degree of certainty you place in your belief or disbelief). +7Isn't it beautiful, and awe inspiring, when you look up at the vast expanse of space in the night sky, and you think that all the stars you see, are just a few of the billions of stars in the galaxy in which you live, and that galaxy is just one of trillions of galaxies in the known universe. Then you think about how life, could only, potentially arise in less than a percent, of a percent, of a percent, of a percent, of the matter in the known universe. Then we think about the vast expanse of time stretching 13.8billion years back to the Big Bang, and inconceivably into the future, and that this moment will be gone in an instant, never to be experienced again. This is where meaning in life comes from, not from beliefs, but in making each moment we live our insignificant lives, a better one than the one which preceded it, filled with more happiness, joy, and love. It makes the problems of the world seem so small, and it's where I derive my own personal morality from. +2Whenever I argue about gun control, people bring up the countries, like Switzerland, and Iceland, which seemingly have high gun ownership, and low crimes. When I point out that this says nothing about the carry laws, and the owner restrictions, they always seem to ignore my statement. While yes, they both have high gun ownership, and low violent crime rates, they also have heavy restrictions on who can own guns at home, and who can carry them in public. I say we emulate the laws of these countries, make it harder to open carry, or concealed carry, in the U.S., and require more extensive background checks and waiting periods to purchase a gun. Personally I like Switzerland (if I'm not mistaken), they allow anyone who served in the military, to carry a gun, but no one can keep ammunition with their guns, they buy it when they go hunting, or at the shooting range. But that's just a personal belief. I also think the government is right in being able to place these restrictions, in the same way they restrict free-speech (it's illegal to yell "fire" in a crowded theater), as it is to protect the citizens safety. 
Maelthus