ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the question of the relevance of the proofs of God's existence for religious faith. This issue is about the nature of religious faith and whether it allows, or requires, a proof of God's existence, where a "proof" might be a full logical demonstration or just strong evidence. Some who have tried to prove God's existence were, like St. Anselm and St Thomas Aquinas, deeply religious individuals who have been recognized as saints. Others, like Gaunilo, have been critical of one or more of the arguments for God's existence from a position within their religious tradition. Aquinas is in basic agreement with Anselm on the underlying point that a proof of God's existence does not hurt depth in religion. A proof for the existence of God is relevant to religious faith in that there must be such a proof in order for faith in God to be proper.
