• Why you cannot use a religious text to prove God’s existence
The claim here is that the religious text (Bible, Quran, etc) proves that God exists. This argument makes the fallacy of
begging the question (or circular reasoning). When the argument is set out clearly this becomes obvious:
How do we know God exists?
God exists because the Bible says so.
Why should we believe the Bible?
Because the Bible is the word of God.
How do we know God exists?
God exists because the Bible says so.
Why should we believe the Bible?
Because the Bible is the word of God.
How do we know God exists?
(etc, ad infinitum.)
You cannot use the conclusion you are trying to prove (that God exists) as one of your premises. The premise “the Bible is the word of God” already assumes the truth of the conclusion.