exist.
The Wager:
Why Tommy No Longer Works on the Docks
Perhaps that last comment belongs in a book that I will one day write. This is not that book. At least, I don’t think this is that book. What I wish to do is attempt to capitalize on a particular conversation held in one of my Introduction to Religious Studies courses that inspired me to search for Satan as a way of knowing God.
My class was working through some of the arguments I was previously alluding to (argument by design, cosmological argument, etc.), and we were criticizing not only the arguments for the existence of God, but also the arguments against the arguments for the existence of God. The class was moving in a manner that seemed almost pre-programmed.2 Then, a strange thing happened; something new began to develop between two of my more fervent students. They were discussing whether or not one could really know, and I mean know in the sense that I know I am typing these words on paper, that God exists. It was, at first, a polite conversation, but it suddenly took a turn for the unexpected. The believer refused to relent on the notion that one can know that God exists despite not being able to articulate how others can know as she knows. It was at this point that things became a little more interesting. I will attempt to paraphrase the conversation as best as my memory will allow. For the sake of anonymity, I will refer to the two students as Tommy and Gina (with heartfelt apologies to Bon Jovi):
Tommy: Do you believe in Satan?
Gina: Of course.
Tommy: Do you think you can prove the existence of Satan?
Gina: Well, I’m not sure why that would be necessary . . .
Tommy: I’m just wondering: if your proof of God’s existence is based on your experience with God then is it also necessary for you to experience Satan in order for you to know that Satan exists?
Gina: If you are suggesting that I have been possessed then I don’t appreciate such a . . . what did you call it Dr. York?
Professor (that’s me.): I think you are intimating that Tommy is attempting to engage in an ad hominem argument. That is an attack against the person as opposed to their argument. We agreed, at the beginning of class, that out of respect for one another we would avoid such attacks.
Gina: Right.
Tommy: No, that’s not what I’m doing. I was just asking how you can know that a supernatural being like Satan exists if in order to know that God exists you must have a personal experience with God.
Gina: Well, I know Satan exists because I know God exists.
Professor: A sort of knowledge via association?
Gina: Sure. If I believe that God exists then I have to believe the things God says, and Scripture makes it clear that Satan exists. It seems pretty obvious.
Tommy: It does to me, too. So, since we are incapable of proving, at least to my satisfaction, that God exists, do you think it’s possible to prove that Satan exists, therein requiring me, via association, as the good doctor put it, to believe in God? I mean, Christians are always warning one another to be on the lookout for the Devil, so if I had an experience with Satan, or if I were possessed by Satan, then I would have to believe in God, right?
Gina: You may be possessed for even thinking that way.
Professor: Now Gina, as quick and witty as that comment was, and everyone here knows how much I appreciate “quick and witty,” that was an engagement with the very tactic you were accusing Tommy of employing.
Tommy: Thanks Doc. Look, all I’m saying is that you Christians are seriously worried about Satan tempting you to do bad things, and possessing you, and all that, right?
Gina: Right.
Tommy: So, it must not be that difficult to come under Satan’s influence, right?
Gina: No . . . I don’t think so.
Tommy: Do you think Satan would come into my heart if I asked him to?
Gina (who hesitantly answers such an oft-putting question): Yes. But why would—
Tommy: Because then I would know! Isn’t that genius? Then I would know that God exists, because I know that Satan exists! It would so be worth it. Totally worth it. So, what do I have to do to have an experience with Satan?
Gina: I think you’re having one.
Professor: Gina.
Gina: Sorry. (This next comment is directed toward me.) It’s just that, the more I think about it, the more I believe I am quite fond of ad hominem arguments.
Professor: Actually, me too. I have always insisted that you should not be able to separate the argument from the person attempting to embody the argument, but for the sake of common courtesy, you are not allowed to use them. They must be saved for political campaigns and graduate school.
Gina: Fair enough. (Turning back to Tommy.) I don’t know. I’ve never tried to summon the Devil, but it seems that all you have to do is want him to rule your life and he will do it.
Tommy: So, what do I do, I mean, specifically?
Gina: I said “I don’t know.” How would I know? I guess just ask him to possess you and he won’t be able resist.
Tommy: Then I’ll do it. Fifty times a day for as long as it takes. Doc, can you schedule an exorcism if necessary?
Professor: Hold on a second. Let it be clear that I am neither approving nor condoning this experiment—.
Tommy: Oh, come on. I have the opportunity to know that God exists, and if God is who everyone says he is then he can rid the Devil from me and then I’m golden. I’m doing it. And then, when it doesn’t happen, when this demonic being that your tradition feels like it has to constantly pray to God in order to resist does not possess someone wanting to be possessed, then I will know that this is all nonsense. (Extending his hand to Gina.) Come on, shake on it. I’ll risk possession in order to know that what you claim to know is knowable. (He thinks about that for a second.) What did I just say? Was that right?
Professor: Sounded good. It was very poetic. Nicely done.
Tommy: Thanks. And if I don’t end up being possessed, you have to admit that I’m right, and no one can know whether or not God exists, and that actually this may be an argument against the existence of God. Deal?
Gina: No . . . no, wait, that’s crazy, because Satan knows why you’re doing it, and since Satan doesn’t want you to believe in God then he won’t make himself known to you.
Tommy: Let me get this straight: you can be possessed by Satan because you believe in God, but because I don’t believe in God I can’t be possessed by Satan? Sounds like you’re the one getting the raw end of the deal. (Touché Tommy, touché.)
Gina: No, you can be possessed . . . you can, all right? You just won’t be. I’m just saying that because of your reasons for it, Satan will not do anything to prove his existence.
Tommy: Oh, this is so typical. First
