So I just want to mention at the beginning of this, the way this title and topic came about,

you'll probably notice if you visited the website for a Timistic Institute that we have

frequently occurring talks on the existence of God and talks about whether it's rational

or reasonable to believe in God.

But on the advice of some of our student leaders at a recent intellectual retreat,

I altered this topic a bit, and specifically because it was requested that we explore topics

that are geared towards equipping others to be able to interact with their peers on these issues.

And so this is really the result of a student initiative shifting the talk and the interest in this direction.

And so my goal really today is to show how various principles from St. Thomas

Aquinas' natural theology or fundamental theology can help guide the way we interact with

non-believers, the way we talk to people about God. And there's many reasons today why it's

difficult to even broach the subject of God with others,

difficult to talk to people.

Because of hostility towards God or religion that they may have,

or because atheism or agnosticism are perceived as the default option,

and therefore we as believers are engaging in an extracurricular

activity, something that doesn't belong to the great tasks of humanity. Also, friendship with God

is personal and intimate. And so believers at times may feel like it's difficult for them to

articulate what is, at its most profound

depths, a private and experience or an intimate relationship with God that they have.

But really, what could be more important than talking to others about God, than learning about God?

So show us how we can overcome a lot of these

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