Whatever your worldview is (Christian, atheist, Hindu, whatever) what would it take for you to reject it?

Question

I'll go first.
If someone I knew lost a limb but was prayed over at their church and their limb grew back (especially if it's without without medical treatment), I'd reject atheism. Basically because it would be proof that something happened though prayer that is otherwise impossible. It would be a genuine miracle.

Now it's your turn.

Of course I'd have to be someone I know, where I've seen them without the limb and then saw them with the limb back.
Some story of my aunt's best friend's cousin's sister (or whatever) would not cut it.

Wow lots of dogmatics of both religious and non-religious types here . . .

This is only just one example. I'm sure that if there was a god and he cared about whether or not I believed he could come up with something for my beyond what I'd ever dream up.

spamandham you do have a point there. I just gave that example because it's the most specific and convincing thing that I could think of. If there was another possible explaination for how that could happen (like the 'lizard DNA') then I'd have to change my mind and say 'no, that would not convince me to renouce atheism'.

But then, considering that my worldview is provisional--open to new information--I'd be very resistant to becoming a dogmatic theist anyway, and could possible revert back to atheism.

Answer 1

In my case, a single arm growing back would not be sufficient - it could be a genetic fluke of some kind, like a virus that attached a bit of lizard DNA into the person somehow.

But, if all missing limbs grew back around the world, and if all genetic and chromosomal birth defects were healed, then I'd be convinced something important was going on. It wouldn't necessarily help me figure out what, but at least I'd know something.

Answer 2

I'm an atheist. I require everything to be proved beyond any doubt. If God would just SHOW HIMSELF, in an unequivocal manner, and make it clear that he was responsible for creation, I'd stop being an atheist. God would need to explain, convincingly, why he'd gone to the trouble of leaving such overwhelming evidence against his own existence (the fossil record, our ability to determine the age of the Earth, the interaction of DNA etc), but if he's God I'm sure he could do that.

I want God to show up in a double-blind scientific test, demonstrate something that cannot be accounted for by any other means (sleight of hand, natural phenomenon), and to explain exactly why he left his precious creation to get in such a mess! Needless to say, I'm not holding my breath.

My guess is that not one single theist will give a reason why they would reject their arbitrary belief-system - they cannot bear to consider they might be wrong. 0 answers when I started typing this.

Answer 3

Something along the lines of direct divine intervention....like witnessing a limb regenerating, or god revealing herself to me in some obvious manner. I'm an atheist.

Oh, I've also decided that a philosophical proof of god (without any holes) would be enough for me to change my mind.

Answer 4

A miracle of that magnitude would only strengthen my faith. Miracles happen everyday seen and unseen. Consider this:
From an atheistic view point life sprange from absolutley nothing. The actual equation is rock + time = life. What is more miraculous than this?
Back on point, there is nothing that could change my world view. Religion is man made, faith is not, and nothing can destroy faith.

Answer 5

As an atheist: I'd need verifible, scientific evidence that the supernatural being in question exists. Not existed. Not WILL exist. Not MAY exist if I have faith. DOES exist.

Also, I won't be surprised if

a) the atheist/agnostic has an open mind and will change if there's proof

b) the religious will have closed minds and will not change, no matter what.

Answer 6

Hi there !!! First of all , God does not need to prove himself, it's simply that wither u have faith in him or u don't , simple enuff and if u have faith any miracle can happen cos' God can do anything!!! it's faith , and then secondly he does not need us to have faith , it's what we need to have for ourselves , imagine if we have no faith I once read in a book that" faith is one of the forces by which a man lives , and a total lack of it means total collapse " and it's faith that work ownders, as u urself said that go to church and prayed huh??? why would one pray and go to church if u have no faith init and if u have no faith what are u praying for ??? how can u pray and ask when there is no faith ??? see u urself are saying contradicting things.
Now another thing is just a matter of realising things , comprehending them , u c , things happening aorund us are all miracles a baby born is a miracle, sometimes how we escape death in this world of destruction is miracle, how sometimes what we really wish to happen , to eat , to meet someone , happens just like that without even asking for it , all these things in themselves are miracles.If only u realise .

Answer 7

I'm Wiccan... I think to change my worldview, either A) a different Divine/God whatever would have to show themselves and say- "Hey, nope, you got it wrong.. actually, you need to believe this way. or B) I die and there is no afterlife... however, paradoxically, I wouldn't know this because I would be dead. So I guess A would be the more likely cause of me changing my current worldview.

Answer 8

Interesting question, but the assumption is that someone's current belief would not be strong enough to withstand the temptation of change due to witnessing a "miracle", which can be the work of satan, so no, I would not be that easily swayed to abandon Jesus and follow something else. My commitment to Jesus is real.

Answer 9

It would take my religious leaders waging an idiotic war on civilized peoples while trying to hide the real reasons for the war behind religious belief.

Answer 10

you know that story in the Bible where either Elija or Elisha made an alter and people who believed in another God made an aLtar as well then the people who believed in the other god prayed to have their sacrifice burst into flames but nothing happened, then Elija prayed to God to have his offering burst into flames but the whole alter was burned
weLL if i saw that i wouLd beLieve whatever Elija did