Should atheists believe in the God of christianity if...

[grasping the after wind]

Surety is subjective, you can't treat it like it is objective.

People a couple of centuries ago were sure that thunder was caused by thor swinging his hammer.

Then being sure God does not exist is equivalent to being sure Thor causes thunder with his hammer. I can accept that.

 

[ImAllLikeOkWaitWat]

I don't understand how you think people can believe in things they do not believe in. I don't know about you but for me belief is not something I choose to do.

This is a moral question. Which goes should an atheist believe if it produces the least amount of suffering in the world? How can the answer be no?

 

[Belk]

This is a moral question. Which goes should an atheist believe if it produces the least amount of suffering in the world? How can the answer be no?

Because an atheist does not believe in deities, by definition.

 

[ImAllLikeOkWaitWat]

Because an atheist does not believe in deities, by definition.

Should he if it leads to the least amount of suffering in the world?

 

[Belk]

Should he if it leads to the least amount of suffering in the world?

No, we should not believe things we do not believe in. It is much more consistent.

 

[ImAllLikeOkWaitWat]

No, we should not believe things we do not believe in. It is much more consistent.

So its better to increase suffering in the world to hold on to your lack of belief?

 

[Belk]

So its better to increase suffering in the world to hold on to your lack of belief?

No, it is better to be honest despite the consequence of it increasing suffering.

 

[Nithavela]

I find it hard to believe that suffering in the world would decrease when a substantial part of humanity would live a lie.

 

[ImAllLikeOkWaitWat]

I find it hard to believe that suffering in the world would decrease when a substantial part of humanity would live a lie.

It's possible the lie they thought they were living was true.

 

[Nithavela]

It's possible the lie they thought they were living was true.

That wouldnt change their perception, though. Theyd just continue to play pretend.

 

[Tinker Grey]

Should theists give up belief in a god if it improves their well-being?

 

[ImAllLikeOkWaitWat]

Should theists give up belief in a god if it improves their well-being?

It's not the same question. Because being a Christian isn't about just well being now, but the next life as well. But under atheism, now is all that matters. So a Christian shouldn't, but an atheist should.

 

[Rebecca12]

This is a moral question. Which goes should an atheist believe if it produces the least amount of suffering in the world? How can the answer be no?

Show me how someone can make themselves believe something that they don't believe. Try it on yourself--make yourself believe in Krishna. Your question is meaningless. In fact it is morally suspect because you want people to do things that are impossible for them to do.

It's not the same question. Because being a Christian isn't about just well being now, but the next life as well. But under atheism, now is all that matters. So a Christian shouldn't, but an atheist should.

To modify the question that you believe is not pertinent: Should the Christian convert to Islam if it improves their well being? Islam isn't just about well being now, but the next life as well.

 

[ImAllLikeOkWaitWat]

The jump from atheism to theism is the hardest jump. Once you get to that point then we could talk about which God is best.

 

[Rebecca12]

The jump from atheism to theism is the hardest jump. Once you get to that point then we could talk about which God is best.

Entirely non-responsive to my question.

 

[Ken-1122]

The jump from atheism to theism is the hardest jump. Once you get to that point then we could talk about which God is best.

If Bill Gates offered to pay you a billion dollars to believe you could fly like a bird, could you do it? No. You may be able to pretend you believe, perhaps even convince others you believe just to get the money; but deep down you would know you were lying because you cannot convince yourself that something is true, when you know it is not. To suggest an atheist should believe a lie in order to make the world a better place would be asking him to do the impossible. The best he could do is pretend he believes.

 

[ImAllLikeOkWaitWat]

I don't think it's that hard to learn what some good reasons are to believe in God and then become a believer. Yes faith doesn't work like that but I do think if you know good arguments for God's existence you could silent that inner skeptic that you atheists have. You really could believe. It's not impossible, it's not that hard to believe in something that most atheists claim to be agnostic about.

The same way you rationalize your atheism you could rationalize a new belief in God.

 

[Ken-1122]

I don't think it's that hard to learn what some good reasons are to believe in God and then become a believer.

You don’t think it’s hard because you’re already a believer. Could you learn some good reasons to believe in Santa Clause?

Yes faith doesn't work like that but I do think if you know good arguments for God's existence you could silent that inner skeptic that you atheists have. You really could believe.

How about if I don’t know of any good arguments for the existence of God?

It's not impossible, it's not that hard to believe in something that most atheists claim to be agnostic about.

If you cannot come up with a legitimate reason for believing, it is hard.

The same way you rationalize your atheism you could rationalize a new belief in God.

Atheism is not something I rationalize; it’s the default position.

 

[ImAllLikeOkWaitWat]

There aren't any good reasons for santa clause or fairies which is why I don't understand why you atheists believe thats a good counterargument. If you don't know any good arguments then you haven't done your homework. As a christian I can admit there are good arguments not to believe in God. So I think an atheist always has his best argument for God's existence. I can't imagine one being so blind to enter this world and leave it with this default position you claim. To me that shows a lack of awareness. What world are you living in, in which you can experience life and it's all one random act of kindness from nothingness giving you life. I find it hard to believe that. Of course when I entered this world that would be a position I would take but thats because I enter this world with no life experience or knowledge.

 

[Ken-1122]

There aren't any good reasons for santa clause or fairies which is why I don't understand why you atheists believe thats a good counterargument.

No; there are no good arguments in your view. But that’s because you don’t believe in him. Just like there are no good arguments for God in my view; but that’s because I don’t believe in God.

If you don't know any good arguments then you haven't done your homework. As a christian I can admit there are good arguments not to believe in God. So I think an atheist always has his best argument for God's existence.

I can think of lots of arguments for God’s existence; just not any that I would consider to be good.

I can't imagine one being so blind to enter this world and leave it with this default position you claim. To me that shows a lack of awareness.

So because I don't see things your way, I’m unaware? A bit arrogant don’t cha think? Have you ever considered the possibility that you could be wrong?

What world are you living in, in which you can experience life and it's all one random act of kindness from nothingness giving you life. I find it hard to believe that.

I don’t understand what you are saying here; perhaps you can phrase it differently in a way that is easier to understand so I can respond.