Postulates for Reality

1) Introduction

If a set of universal postulates for reality can be agreed, what are the implications for explanations of reality where god(s) are necessary versus explanations where god(s) are not necessary?

2) List of Postulates

Postulate	Implications for models of reality where god(s) are necessary	Implications for models of reality where god(s) are not necessary
1) The word “reality” stands alone. Prefixes such as “basic”, “ultimate”, “fundamental” etc. are redundant (unless they are clearly defined and differentiated from the word "reality").	Not applicable	Not applicable
2) If God exists He must be part of reality.	God(s) exist	God(s) could exist
3) If God is not part of reality, He is not real.	God(s) are part of reality	God(s) could exist
4) We only perceive a tiny part of reality - referred to here the observable universe	God(s) intervene in the observeable universe	God(s) could exist but only beyond the observeable universe
5) Reality is bigger than the observable universe, perhaps infinitely bigger	God(s) are infinite (exist everywhere)	God(s) could exist but only beyond the observeable universe
6) Anything that exists beyond the observable universe is unknowable to us	God(s) are an exception to this rule	God(s) are speculative and unfalsifiable
7) Theories are only valid within the scope of the observable universe	God(s) cannot be described by any theory	God(s) cannot be described by any theory
8) The concept of an uncaused cause is a valid concept	If God(s) are not created, then God(s) are the uncaused cause	Reality could be the uncaused cause
9) Reality did not necessarily have a beginning and may not necessarily have an end	Reality originally consisted only of god(s)	Reality is eternal
10) Our universe did have a start and will have an end	God(s) created our universe	Our universe appeared as a natural process within reality (was not created)
11) Reality may be uncaused	God(s) were once all that existed	Reality is eternal
12) Even within the tiny range of reality we can observe, 95% is currently unknown to us	Not applicable	Not applicable
13) It's possible to find evidence in the observable universe which can be used to support hypotheses regarding aspects of reality beyond the observable universe	There is evidence for god(s) in the observeable universe which can be used to form hypotheses about god(s) beyond the observeable universe	There is evidence in the observable universe which can be used to support hypotheses regarding aspects of reality beyond the observable universe
14) Reality exists because a state of absolute nothingness is impossible.	God(s) exist for this reason	God(s) are unnecessary for this reason.
Notes
#13 appears to contradict #6 and #7 but there is no contradiction if we clearly define the difference between theory and hypothesis Would "supernatural entities" be a more appropriate term than "god(s)"?
#4 does not apply to deism or pantheism
#14 supports #11

3) Models Compared

	Step 1	Step 2	Step 3	Step 4	Step 5
	Before Reality	Reality	Realms within reality	Life	Consciousness
Model A	God	Reality is created by God	God creates heaven, hell, angels, our universe (and other realms/entities, other universes?)	God creates life on at least one planet	God creates conscious beings (humans)
Model B	This step not required	An environment within which universes naturally appear and disappear.	This step not required	Simple, single celled organisms appear on at least one planet	Consciousness emerges as life evolves
Attributes for Model A	God is eternal, always was and is uncaused. Nature unknown.	Reality is an eternal, infinite environment within which various realms and God exist. Nature unknown (?)	Process used by God for creating universes, angels, realms, etc. is unknown	Process used by God to create life is unknown	Process used by God to create consciousness is unknown
Attributes for Model B	This step not required (there is no "before reality")	Reality is eternal, infinite, always was and is uncaused. Nature unknown (but there are some hypotheses)	Process for universe formation is unknown (but there are some hypotheses)	Process for appearance of the first organisms is unknown (but there are some hypotheses)	Process by which consciousness emerges is unknown (but there are some hypotheses)

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