Now, let's talk evidence for God.

[Aitch]

Like I said, it's a 40 year old RC distinction (possibly). Learned at a school that now offers Critical Thinking AND Theology at A-level.

 

[mike3]

Hmmm, this seems to be a pattern...

I am open to any evidence of the existance of a god, rather than evidence that there are / have been people who believe in god. The Heaven's Gate incident provided ample--and recent--proof that people will live by, and die for, their unsupported beliefs.

I don't understand the "what does an atheist say god is?" ploy. An atheist says, I don't believe in any kind of supernatural, superpowerful, immaterial, eternal or omniscient being(s). Most religions' god(s) have at least one of those attributes, so it's simple to reject the whole lot.

There is a natural, material, bounded world. It works in consistent and determinable ways, which we codify our understanding of as various "Rules" and Theories of science: Thermodynamics, chemistry, physics, biology, etc. These are tools we use to better understand and make useful predictions about, the nature of Existance.

This raises an interesting question I've really wanted to ask. You say that you don't "believe in" anything supernatural, which I presume would mean anything beyond the material world -- not just "God" or "gods". Does this mean though that you'd think such things could not exist, as opposed to simply not knowing what they are and not believing in specific claims about what they are?

 

[mike3]

I don't care if it corresponds or not. We don't even know if senses exist, what the brain really is, if any of it is real...but so what? We never have. And there isn't even a "we" or an "I" anyway. You might as well have a good time.

But how do "we" know the "we" doesn't exist either? You just said we don't even KNOW if any of these things, but then go with the last bit like it's a certainty.

 

[mike3]

I could easily use your list to support the existance of Satan or Zoobob the Celestial Troll and it would be as weak.

If theist have a personal belief, that's fine. But when you claim that there is evidence, I expect theist to support their claims with something a little less...well let's just leave it at that.

I'm curious: What would you think would be "evidence" for God, even if you haven't seen it?

 

[Hokulele]

*Settles back to wait for mike3 to reach page 10.*