You know, I never understand why people who believe in god think that those who don't believe are being snarky. Why is that? What is snotty about being unsure? What is arrogant about wanting to see God?
If that's what you think I meant, then I have communicated awfully and apologize for that.
A few points:
1. Many people who claim to believe in God are pretty darned snarky and act like they are God Himself. Now that's arrogance. History has shown that if these people have power, they can be very dangerous indeed. Atheists are right to be concerned about the dangers inherent in religion -- it's a very powerful motivating force, and when abused creates tragedies on a massive scale. If only more theists would be as wary, there would not be so much danger.
2. Many atheists simply haven't found any reason to believe in God, and are simply being sincere and honest with themselves. This is a problem?
I should hope that anyone, no matter what they believe to be true, would do the same.
3. There are a few atheists, however, if a reason for considering a theistic possibility slapped them across the face, would not ponder the possibility for an instant, and a few of those will take their own vision on the road and insist we all must share in it or we cannot possibly be rational beings. This is no better than anyone from any other walk of life who is extremely closed minded. Once you know it all, you can't learn anything else.
Hopefully this is a little clearer, but if not, please ask.
Let's say I end up believing in God. Which is the right God? The questions go on and on....is anyone EVER sure for sure?
Which is the right version of God? I couldn't tell you, but it strikes me that all of them are human constructs anyway and must be woefully incomplete. Assuming there exists something Infinite, I'm sure I don't know how something Finite could understand it fully. It's like asking the denizens of Flatland to understand our existence.
If for some reason you ever do find a reason to believe in God or something of that sort, you will have to figure out what's true for yourself. The rest of us, at most, might provide something from our own experience that might lead you in some direction.
As for me, I have no problem with atheists being atheists anyway. Sometimes that's the best thing one can do, if you believe the religions available are more a cause of harm than good, it would only be rational to keep to yourself and have nothing to do with them.
I don't do eternal damnation, but I sure do understand the moral concept of making a *positive* difference in the world around us during our lifetime. Atheists seem to understand that as well as theists do, and I regret to say, in some instances they understand it better.