What Would Evidence for God's Existence Be Like?

[Davian]

Ouch, seems like I hit a nerve with you freodin? I never tried to convert you, I just give my opinion. There is a difference

Are you declaring the existence of your particular god as opinion, or reality? When you speak of your god to your child, do you speak of it as opinion, or reality?

 

[xXLoveisGodXx]

I apologize for transferring my feelings of atheism onto anyone else. I totally understand that we are all different and perceive the same things differently.
I am willing to hear all views on atheism or Islam or whatever. I don't judge. I am willing to listen, where others would not be. Please elaborate on your true insight of love.
To be honest, I'm surprised I haven't been hammered by the Christians yet.

I believe that any person, Jew, Christian, Islamic suicide bomber, or atheist can lead a good life and find themselves in 'heaven.' I believe that any person who leads a good, love filled life is not subject to laws or moral codes. I believe that the only just way to judge any person is on the intentions of the heart. I believe that specific beliefs are wholly inconsequential. It's all about how you live.
In this, I believe that you, if you are a 'good' person, will be in 'heaven' right next to me, so trying to convert you is altogether pointless. I am simply trying to impart some 'knowledge' that may make your life more fulfilling.

 

[bhsmte]

I believe that any person who leads a good, love filled life is not subject to laws or moral codes.

Why would anyone not have to follow laws, that protect other people?

 

[kristina411]

As I said:

"I just stated my approval of the fact that is does result in quite a number of people becoming atheists."

So, I didn't forget the ending of my post. You are simply imagining things again.

And it really seems we are left at me correcting your mistakes again. I think I am tired of it. Don't bother to respond.

Lol!
Perhaps next time you can just leave my opinion be instead of drilling, especially if you can't handle the same in return.
Again, as I said... Take care.

 

[xXLoveisGodXx]

This all depends on the individual and their personal psyche.

Some people gravitate to comfortable beliefs, because of the comfort they bring. Some people can't cling to beliefs, if they can't reconcile them with reality in their own mind.

In the end, people can live happy good lives whether they are; Christian, Muslim, Hindu, atheist, etc. etc.

Whatever you need to latch onto to, that makes you a better person and makes you happy, I say go for it. That is, as long as the belief does not cause the person to negatively judge others who disagree with them, or requires them to ignore and deny well evidenced reality. In those cases, I am not sure a belief that requires negative judging of others or denial of reality, is a good thing.

I agree. Any belief that causes one to be 'happy' and spread 'happiness' is perfectly acceptable and interchangeable.
People who are 'bad', will be 'bad', regardless of their religion or lack there of.
The same with good people.

 

[xXLoveisGodXx]

Why would anyone not have to follow laws, that protect other people?

Because just the love you have towards your fellow man would be reason enough not to hurt him, in any way.

 

[Freodin]

Because just the love you have towards your fellow man would be reason enough not to hurt him, in any way.

Almost, but not quite. Laws, in many cases, are nifty shortcuts to help people to "not hurt others".
People can have the best intentions and still fail. Sometimes just following the rules can make it easier not to fail.

 

[yesyoushould]

In what way is belief a conscious choice?

You are free to choose. Please forgive me if I sound like I'm speaking for you, but you are given a choice to respond. You are given a choice to listen, to read, to understand. What is so hard to understand about having a choice to believe in one way or another? I don't get it.

 

[yesyoushould]

Almost, but not quite. Laws, in many cases, are nifty shortcuts to help people to "not hurt others".
People can have the best intentions and still fail. Sometimes just following the rules can make it easier not to fail.

I suppose it depends on the rules.

 

[xXLoveisGodXx]

Almost, but not quite. Laws, in many cases, are nifty shortcuts to help people to "not hurt others".
People can have the best intentions and still fail. Sometimes just following the rules can make it easier not to fail.

I agree that laws are necessary in this society to protect the rights of all. I'm not saying they are unnecessary. I am saying that I believe that loving others as I love myself is all the Law that I worry about abiding by. In this, I obey all laws because I love my fellow man. I don't need a list of commandments or a book of laws to distinguish what is right and wrong.

 

[yesyoushould]

I agree that laws are necessary in this society to protect the rights of all. I'm not saying they are unnecessary. I am saying that I believe that loving others as I love myself is all the Law that I worry about abiding by. In this, I obey all laws because I love my fellow man. I don't need a list of commandments or a book of laws to distinguish what is right and wrong.

Exactly. The 10 commandments are common sense. Don't kill, don't steal. Can't imagine any human being who is against that, unless they serve the devil.

 

[Davian]

You are free to choose. Please forgive me if I sound like I'm speaking for you, but you are given a choice to respond. You are given a choice to listen, to read, to understand. What is so hard to understand about having a choice to believe in one way or another? I don't get it.

That does not address my question: In what way is belief a conscious choice?

Can you, right now, decide that gods are nothing more than characters in books? And then tomorrow morning, become Muslim for a week?

 

[yesyoushould]

That does not address my question: In what way is belief a conscious choice?

Can you, right now, decide that gods are nothing more than characters in books? And then tomorrow morning, become Muslim for a week?

Jesus, after being murdered, resurrected to life again. False gods, who claim to be so powerful and magnificent, can't even claim that, and yet we have witnesses. The followers of Christ.

 

[Davian]

Jesus, after being murdered, resurrected to life again.

Allegedly.

False gods, who claim to be so powerful and magnificent, can't even claim that, and yet we have witnesses.

Do you have the names and addresses of these witnesses?

The followers of Christ.

I asked, can you, right now, decide that gods are nothing more than characters in books? And then tomorrow morning, become Muslim for a week?

 

[xXLoveisGodXx]

Davian,

How could belief be anything but a choice? I believe because I have experienced evidence to substantiate that belief. However, I was looking for that evidence. We all know that people will find what it is they're looking for in any situation.
I choose to see the positive in any situation. This positive that I choose to accept as a truth affirms my faith.
You might see the same siuation and only see a negative. This negative that you choose to accept as fact then affirms your disbelief.
If you choose to alter your perception then you can choose what you believe to be true. We all do this on a day to day basis in everyday life.
As to your question, I cannot just believe that all gods are fictional. I could say that but it wouldn't be true. However, a few years ago I would have said that and meant it.
The difference in me today and me then is all do to a choice. I choose to believe in Love. Because of that choice, I see evidence everyday that confirms this belief.

 

[yesyoushould]

I asked, can you, right now, decide that gods are nothing more than characters in books? And then tomorrow morning, become Muslim for a week?

What does becoming muslim have to do with God? It doesn't.

Accept that you exist and rejoice in the joy of life.

 

[stevevw]

I have seen some of the docos on dinos and some of the other stuff they claim as being facts that they put on TV. They dont state that this maybe subject to verification. They talk like its already fact. The way some speak about the beginnings of life like there is no doubt that it happened through a naturalistic self creating process. The attitude is we are right and its just the detail we need to get to show that.

I am sure that there are things they teach kids at school about evolution that are not fact. The way they fill in all the details and paint the picture of how animals looked is wrong. They are putting the flesh on fragmented evidence like they were there to see it themselves. This is not to far away from what atheists accuse Christians of doing with their faith in God.

There has been some evidence that the theory of evolution according to what Darwin said needs revising. Some parts of evolution are not proven and there is contradictory evidence out there. But I wonder if this is being stated when they teach evolution. Evolutionists can be subject to dogma and a belief that what they promote is right even without solid proof. It can come down to a matter of interpretation. Both sides are looking at the evidence but are coming at it from different bases.

 

[yesyoushould]

I have seen some of the docos on dinos and some of the other stuff they claim as being facts that they put on TV. They dont state that this maybe subject to verification. They talk like its already fact. The way some speak about the beginnings of life like there is no doubt that it happened through a naturalistic self creating process. The attitude is we are right and its just the detail we need to get to show that.

I am sure that there are things they teach kids at school about evolution that are not fact. The way they fill in all the details and paint the picture of how animals looked is wrong. They are putting the flesh on fragmented evidence like they were there to see it themselves. This is not to far away from what atheists accuse Christians of doing with their faith in God.

There has been some evidence that the theory of evolution according to what Darwin said needs revising. Some parts of evolution are not proven and there is contradictory evidence out there. But I wonder if this is being stated when they teach evolution. Evolutionists can be subject to dogma and a belief that what they promote is right even without solid proof. It can come down to a matter of interpretation. Both sides are looking at the evidence but are coming at it from different bases.

That is a bunch of fluff with no reason.
God is perfect and none can debate it, only doubt it.
You either believe in God or as the Word says, "are damned".
Easy.

"Believe in God or your damned."

 

[xXLoveisGodXx]

That is a bunch of fluff with no reason.
God is perfect and none can debate it, only doubt it.
You either believe in God or as the Word says, "are damned".
Easy.

I've never read that part. Believe in God or be damned? Is that why you believe? Out of fear of condemnation? And who is this God that I must believe in for fear of retribution?

 

[Archaeopteryx]

Things have changed for me. I was an atheist only after I was a Lutheran, a Mormon, a Christian, a Wiccan and for a brief period, somewhat of a satanist. I was searching and when I'd finally given up, atheism was just easier.
I know the feeling that resides deep in your heart. The anger and sadness. The lacking. At least I know I felt it.

That last sentence is important. That's what you felt as an atheist. Don't assume that it applies to every other atheist.