God not only exists in the understanding, but in reality as well. God, according to Anselm, is a being “than which nothing greater can be conceived” (Anselm 29). According to this concept God could not simply exist in an understanding because that would leave the possibility of a greater being than God – He who exists in reality as well as understanding. Anselm concluded that the “only being whose nonexistence (in reality) is inconceivable, is the being than which nothing greater can be conceived, and only God fits this description” (Anselm 28). The nonexistence of that which a greater cannot be conceived is inconceivable” (Anselm 33). Thomas Aquinas reminds us of Damascene’s knowledge that ‘the knowledge of God is naturally implanted in all” (Aquinas 35). As a religious scholar and priest, he believed the existence of God is self-evident in itself. The term God implies existence, however His existence is not self-evident to us because our simple minds do not have the capacity to understand something so great and complex as God. Aquinas then provides proof of God’s existence so our simple minds may be assured they did not invent Him. First he claims, “Whatever is in motion is moved by another…” (Aquinas 37). Therefore, movement must have an originator or creator. Secondly, is the “notion of efficient causation” in which he claims change must be caused by something. Furthermore if there are beings who exist without a doubt Aquinas feels they must be atop to the hierarchy of perfection. He then concludes a being, namely God, must be directing non-intelligent animals’ instincts.William Paley strongly defended the rationality of Christian beliefs of God. He felt God’s truth is evident through reflection on nature, God’s creations. A metaphor of a watch aids his argument that when parts or organisms work together so pe...
