You are probably aware of the arguments of "infinite regress". So lets not touch it yet. Lets explain something else first.
Let me try explaining in a different way...
Imagine yourself as a (lab-made) strain of E coli (bacteria) with the knowledge of a "microwave" engraved in your genetics and you are put inside a mouse who is living on a deserted island. You are not the only bacteria - there are others with you.
As an
smart E coli - you are conscious and aware of your surroundings but your capability is limited and your resource to build tools for your scientific research are limited to whatever the mouse has inside its tiny body and whatever the mouse eats. You don't have the capability to generate electromagnetic pulse and you don't even know what that is.
Now some of the other bacteria told you about the 'microwave' because they can feel the presence of it more profoundly than you can. So now you are demanding to know - how this microwave (if it is out there) came into existence and how electromagnetic waves are absorbed into molecules of water, sugar and fat and causing it to vibrate and produce heat from the frictions.
This is just a scaled-down example to show your limitations on this earth to figure out about God. Of course I can use more complex objects to make my point but just the example of 'microwave' and the example of you being the 'E coli' inside a mouse - should tell you that you do not have the right tools to find the answer to the question you are seeking!
Microwave is created.
But God is not - because
infinite regress is logically impossible!
We are here and that proves the creator is uncreated and exists forever (whatever forever means because the concept of time as we know it - was also created).
So since you don't have the right tools to figure out with certainty right now - what are your options?
You could reject all the things that cannot be proven to you right now - or you could use your common sense and some logical deductions and you could also look into the available testimonies and like solving a jigsaw puzzle - you could try to figure out which pieces goes where and make more sense.
When all the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle fall into correct spot - you may begin to see the actual picture! You may not have the actual Rose per se - in your hand but you may see the picture of the Rose that the jigsaw puzzle pieces were all about.
When you do see the picture - adopt it! Because it is better than saying you and your consciousness and the Rose - all came into existence out of nothing!
Is that unreasonable? If a fellow is God they shouldn't have any trouble proving it. He's an all powerful God, afterall.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing! You won't call it "unreasonable" if you knew why we are here and what we are trying to prove.
Seek and find out.
I am not here to openly promote any religion! Also - the complete picture is scattered among multiple religions because hints (information) are given as a need to know basis by different prophets. At the moment - you are not required to know all the answers to believe in a creator.
If you are a Janitor of a huge corporation - you are required to know you have a CEO but you are not required to know everything about the CEO. Just do your job and in time you may meet the CEO.
Just don't break the rules and stop performing your basic responsibility and get fired before you have a chance to meet the CEO.
What is the right tool to determine if any God exists?.....
You don't have the mechanism or science to create that tool yet. If you keep using your head with all its limitations and deficiency - it may explode and all the nuts and bolts may fall out.
Good part is - you may have a few less nuts inside of you. Just kidding!
Imagine it was a dermatologist.
Assuming you are an Atheist, why most atheists read superficially? Someone should really look into that - maybe this is why atheists don't dive deep into anything because they get repelled off the surface! Something to wonder about!
The example was used to show the "limitations".
Read in context! You obviously missed the point. Dermatologist was not at your disposal in that analogy.
If the proof isn't available, and reasoning isn't the right tool, how were you convinced? Just guessing and way too confident in your guess?
I did my research and connected the dots and I have some personal experiences to believe the way I do.
Where did this God come from?
Read up there if you like - my response to F1fan to the same question.
An intelligent E coli on a deserted island - can use logical deductions and figure out he was created and then he can ask the same question. How far will he go in finding his proof? Your position is much better but yet not good enough to find answers to the complex questions like you are asking because the realm - you are seeking information about - is not the same as the realm you are currently residing in. Too many variables and too many unknown factors and our physical environment and our relationship with time - everything is different!
Actually, I'm not seeking proof for God because I have no need for God. However, I don't mind evaluating what someone else offers as proof.
You have no need for God?
I already told you - the kind of proof you are expecting from folks is not available right now. So learn to settle for less. You don't need to know everything about your CEO to do your job right - not when your CEO is watching to see if your evil immediate boss can manipulate you and make you work against the company.
Trust is everything! And sometimes folks need to be tested!
Me, forget about it. Accept that there is no way to find out the answer. That' to me is ok. I don't have to have an answer for everything.
But you need to know! Sometimes a mole can be dangerous. Ignoring can lead to your demise!
Certain things you could do - for your self preservation!
And I am not talking about the mole!
I've heard a lot of testimonies from people claiming to be messengers from God. They don't all say the same thing to the point they can't all be right. So, who do you listen to and why?
Well! Look into all the available evidences and testimonies and figure out on your own. Use an unbiased approach and with open mind. Shred off all the propagandas you hear and seek the truth.
After that if you still can't find the truth
then at least you will have some sort of defense when you face the creator. But you won't be able to fool any further the way you are fooling now.
The truth stands clear from falsehood! All you need to do is ...seek...seek...seek.
So, I'm an atheist not because I believe there is no God but because I'm not smart enough to know who to believe.
So, that is your defense - right there! Hope it works
but it won't because you are smart enough to find the truth!