Playing the Atheist's advocate

[RedDragon94]

How do we know God exists?

If God cannot be proven, how do we know that the God we serve is the right one?

What evidence is there for God? And if there were evidence wouldn't that be proof?

Does the theory of evolution botch the idea that what we see in nature is proof of God's existence?

Are the holy books of any religions evidence of God's existence, why or why not?

 

[LuisDantas]

How do we know God exists?

We do not. Which is by itself evidence enough that belief in his existence is not something that God much cares about.

If God cannot be proven, how do we know that the God we serve is the right one?

It is rather painfully obvious that the various perceptions of God's will can't very well be reconciled. It seems to me that there is no other reasonable way beyond attempting to develop good critical and moral discernment. If God can't be satisfied by people doing the best they can sincerely do, then there must be something wrong with God.

What evidence is there for God? And if there were evidence wouldn't that be proof?

Also, why would it even be much of a deal whether people believe in his existence? Isn't moral virtue far more important?

Does the theory of evolution botch the idea that what we see in nature is proof of God's existence?

Apparently yes for many people. I don't think I will ever truly understand why.

Are the holy books of any religions evidence of God's existence, why or why not?

Perhaps the Tao Te Ching. But it is kind of a toss-up. It is certainly the most impressive scripture I remember ever seeing.

 

[jeager106]

Believing is a matter of faith and faith can not be proved or disproved.
Athiests are the beset group I know of for expressing faith...that there is no God.
That said athiests talk more about God and the Bible than do most believers.
I think they also know more about the bible than most believers.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Believing is a matter of faith and faith can not be proved or disproved.
Athiests are the beset group I know of for expressing faith...that there is no God.
That said athiests talk more about God and the Bible than do most believers.
I think they also know more about the bible than most believers.

Actually if faith is the nexus, then every person portrayed in the bible is void of that very definition.

The bible is your own worse enemy as far as this argument goes.

 

[Valjean]

Surveys routinely find atheists and agnostics know more about religion than the religious.
Atheists, agnostics most knowledgeable about religion, survey says - latimes

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Abrahamic God right? Christian? Makes a diffence.

If God cannot be proven, how do we know that the God we serve is the right one?

We dont, even if we claim we do. As long its by faith, we do not knw He exist it is by hope. Syncronicities, coincedence, your existence, etc, to many prooves a creator exists. If you dont see the blessings of life coming from a creator, it will be hard finding evidence for one.

The right one? Some that doesnt suggest harm other others based on desire to be worshiped. A God who iS life not a Creator and separated from it. "God" is internal not external. As long as people look for an external God, looking outside themselves for inward answers, answers will be a reflection of others not their own. The right God lets you have a sense of you Through God. He doesnt come into you, you are a part of God.

What evidence is there for God? And if there were evidence wouldn't that be proof?

Evidence above? Panthestic (no all agree) view of God yes. Ahrahmic God. He exist by your trust and hope in His existence and promises He gave and confirmed in His book, Quran, Torah, and Bible. Personificatio of their scripture prooves His existence. The actions and results from religious rituals proves His existence.

Does the theory of evolution botch the idea that what we see in nature is proof of God's existence?

No. Everything evolves. Nothing is created from thin air. Nothing disapers.

Are the holy books of any religions evidence of God's existence, why or why not?

Abrahamics, yes. In Chistianity, the Bible, the actions of God through people, phrophets, and apostles are proof that God still acts in peoples lives so that they live as Gods right hand man.

Holy scripture, Quran, bible, Vedas, lotus sutra doesnt proove God or Law exist depended on a book but the teacher Himself, God or not.

 

[Skwim]

How do we know God exists?

Depends on how one regards "know." For some people the validity of one's perception involves no more than imputing certainty to the merest of evidence: "I know god exists because X says he does," or perhaps more honestly, "I know god exists because I need him to." For others, knowledge involves more exacting evidence: "I know god exists because logic demands it," or "I know god exists because I had a supernatural experience where I felt a presence I can only describe as god." So how you know god exists depends on the kind of evidence you're willing to accept.

 

[psychoslice]

No, there isn't any proof what so ever for a god, but still there are many that wish there was a god, and that's all it is, wishing.

 

[raph]

Just my opinion...

How do we know God exists?

His creation exists and it is a mirror of His own awesomeness. My logic does not allow, creation being uncreated.

If God cannot be proven, how do we know that the God we serve is the right one?

Duality is an aspect of reality. Outside of creation, there is no duality, therefore only one God. Serve the uncreated God, there can only be 1.

What evidence is there for God? And if there were evidence wouldn't that be proof?

The evidence is, that we see his invisible face where ever we look, we hear his silent voice, where ever we hear. If we look into ourselves, we will find him standing there majestically, invisible.

Does the theory of evolution botch the idea that what we see in nature is proof of God's existence?

The evolution shows God's power more than anything.

Are the holy books of any religions evidence of God's existence, why or why not?

They come close to evidence. The Bible has 50 or more authors, who all say the same thing over many years. Prophecies are fulfilled. The Quran is written in an uncomprendable style. The miracle of Bahai texts is their unbelievable quantity. All Holy texts have one miracle in common, that is to make a huge amount of people believe in them.

 

[Kuzcotopia]

Reverse order, just because. . .

Are the holy books of any religions evidence of God's existence, why or why not?

No, because anyone can write one. L. Ron Hubbard did it.

Does the theory of evolution botch the idea that what we see in nature is proof of God's existence?

No, of course not. It only runs in to conflict with a very specific reading of a very specific text.

What evidence is there for God? And if there were evidence wouldn't that be proof?

None . . . and yes, for me it would be proof, but only because I have no preconceptions.

I am coming to believe that any direct supernatural proof would be devastating to all of earth's human cultures because of the interpretations of the faithful who already exist without it, and because their essential conflicts those varied interpretations have with each other. Direct evidence would be a firestorm for all religious parties with a stake in maintaining their current beliefs in spite of, not because of, any direct evidence.

If God cannot be proven, how do we know that the God we serve is the right one?

Well, that's the problem. It's mostly solved by looking at a political map of religious demographics.

 

[Marisa]

How do we know God exists?

We can't, and likely never will.

If God cannot be proven, how do we know that the God we serve is the right one?

That question answers itself. You can't. Or more to the point, why "serve" one? Why not just be a decent person to everyone, regardless of ethnicity, gender or orientation? If there is a god, and it's worth reverence, this quality will please it.

What evidence is there for God? And if there were evidence wouldn't that be proof?

None. And so long as gods reside outside the natural world, there never will be.

Does the theory of evolution botch the idea that what we see in nature is proof of God's existence?

Evolution does not speak to gods in any way. But it certainly suggests that no gods are required for life to evolve.

Are the holy books of any religions evidence of God's existence, why or why not?

Holy books are the claim. Decidedly not the evidence for the claim.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Why not just be a decent person to everyone, regardless of ethnicity, gender or orientation? If there is a god, and it's worth reverence, this quality will please it.

No, that is not enough. You must either accept Jesus or Allah. If you accept Jesus as the Son, Allah will send you to eternal hell. If you accept Allah and Mohammad, then Jesus will not be pleased. Again, eternal hell.

 

[Ouroboros]

No, that is not enough. You must either accept Jesus or Allah. If you accept Jesus as the Son, Allah will send you to eternal hell. If you accept Allah and Mohammad, then Jesus will not be pleased. Again, eternal hell.

If you believe neither, you will be sent to Christian hell on Sundays and Muslim hell on Fridays, and the rest of the week you spend your time in the Catholic purgatory.

 

[Marisa]

No, that is not enough. You must either accept Jesus or Allah. If you accept Jesus as the Son, Allah will send you to eternal hell. If you accept Allah and Mohammad, then Jesus will not be pleased. Again, eternal hell.

I think I get where you're going with that, but my point was that any god worthy of admiration does not require enslavement, and being a decent person to people would be considered a strong character achievement. Such a god doesn't send people to hell, certainly not simply for not liking it. When I meet people who don't like me, I don't make it my life's goal to torment those people. I just ignore them and carry on my merry way.

 

[LuisDantas]

If you believe neither, you will be sent to Christian hell on Sundays and Muslim hell on Fridays, and the rest of the week you spend your time in the Catholic purgatory.

That is actually not the worst case scenario:

 

[RedDragon94]

Isn't moral virtue far more important?

I think that the belief in God might explain the origin of moral virtue to some people, to others moral virtue is seen as an innate quality of man.

(Btw, I have been meditating lately. I really enjoy concentration meditation, I might try mindfulness if I ever want to relax.)

 

[RedDragon94]

Believing is a matter of faith and faith can not be proved or disproved.
Athiests are the beset group I know of for expressing faith...that there is no God.
That said athiests talk more about God and the Bible than do most believers.
I think they also know more about the bible than most believers.

They also ask the right questions to make one see that the Bible is in fact written from a human viewpoint. A living document at the same time, but a human document with a ton of human authors. One claims that all Scripture is God-breathed, but what does that mean "God-breathed"? If God verbally spoke to those who wrote the Scripture then why does it have scientific errors like recording the "days" of creation when there was no sun? It shows how phenomenal language is basically just incorrect observation. So, bottom line the Bible is not a textbook but it does have some good things to say about life.

 

[outhouse]

Athiests are the beset group I know of for expressing faith...that there is no God.

Just the opposite.

We have factual evidence that only men write and redefine the concept as needed.

Man has created thousands of gods, and you don't believe in 99% which makes you an atheist to most gods.

Makes you a bit hypocritical to since you are expressing faith that the living Emperor was not the son of god??????????

 

[outhouse]

That said athiests talk more about God and the Bible than do most believers.

Many of us are far more educated then any theist.

By our extensive research, we see exactly how man creates deities.

 

[RedDragon94]

Ahrahmic God. He exist by your trust and hope in His existence and promises He gave and confirmed in His book, Quran, Torah, and Bible. Personificatio of their scripture prooves His existence.

So in Christianity really the emotions and obedience are what legitimize your religious experience? I guess one can also look to the prophecies that Christ fulfilled, if one is willing to.