For atheists...?

Question

When you demand proof, what you really want isn't so much something that convinces yourself of God's existence, but rather something that convinces someone else of God's existence? Right?

See here for context:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AkMzAvzs40njVz19YoztMVrsy6IX?qid=20060907125619AAJXlcK

Jeebus B.: How can it not make sense? Several atheists said that if they were presented with a seemingly valid proof of God's existence, the first thing they would want is someone else to verify the proof. *I* didn't say it. The atheists said it. You can't blame me if atheism makes no sense to you.

Miss. Bliss: Everything you think is valid is only seemingly valid. In other words, if X seems valid to you, then you declare it valid. There is no special doorway to absolute truth. You can only know reality as it appears to you.

Answer 1

I think the point of that is to verify that it is not delusion. However, if there was proof for me, that is enough for me.

Answer 2

"Several atheists said that if they were presented with a seemingly valid proof of God's existence, the first thing they would want is someone else to verify the proof."

I've read every answer to that question and all I see is a majority of people asking you to define "seemingly valid proof". You didn't do that. Basically they all want to know what kind of proof this would be and a few made the very good point that theres a big diff between 'seemingly valid' and 'valid'.

I don't really see where "several" of them stated they needed others to verify the proof. Most of them simply asked you if this proof could be scientifically tested or not, then honestly answered that they'd probably still be skeptical.

You never answered them on what type of proof you were talking about. This forum should be about starting thought provoking discussions, not arguments.

EDIT-
1. I wasn't so much curious about the whole 'seemingly valid' thing as I was curious as to why you didn't answer the several people who asked for a definition in the question you linked to.

2. I wouldn't have gotten the valid/seemingly thing without your (as the askers) definition.
To me, seemingly valid would be someone you very much trust telling you they saw God. They give you a description, show you a picture and because you trust them so much, it's seemingly valid.
Valid to me would be God showing up, turning a whole lake into wine, making it rain jellybeans and then turning my fingers into pencils. THAT is valid (to me).

I'm just saying that if I'd been around to try to answer your original question, I'd have asked what you meant too and maybe it's not as fair to judge those answers when you never returned to clarify what you meant in the question, even though they asked for it. Several also made the distinction between seemingly valid and irrefutably valid showing that they didn't have the same definition you meant.

Answer 3

Of course I'd want to see if it was false first. I don't understand how that is a bad thing? If it is "seemingly" valid then it isn't a sure thing. Why would I just accept it because it seems valid? I can look at a replica of an old painting that seems perfectly valid, but through a deeper chemical and physical analysis find it is a forgery. I don't see the point, I will always see what is wrong with something before I decide it's right. If you give me a piece of God's toenail with holy atoms and DNA in it I'll believe you. If any God cam down and told me he was real himself, I'd believe him, but not "seemingly" valid evidence.

Answer 4

I ask for proof so I can analyze it and see if I consider it to be proof. So yes, I'm really asking for what they consider to be proof. Whether or not I will consider it to be proof can't be assessed until after it's presented.

In the off chance someone provided me what I consider to be a valid proof, I'd quit being an atheist.

Answer 5

Wrong. Atheists merely don't see any logical proof that justifies the existance of God. It's just common for an Atheist to push their reasons of non-belief on to those who do believe. Usually in doing this is solidifies their belief in non-believe finding that no one has any real answers or proof that would make them believe.

Answer 6

I rarely demand proof, simply because I know it doesn't exist. If I did demand it, however, it wouldn't be because I actually expected to get it, but rather because I want to show that there is none. I would want it to be seen, by everyone, that this so-called proof is either false, or non-existent.

Answer 7

You God believers have discarded thousands upon thousands of religions throughout history. You have no problem stating mater of factly that their is and never has been a Thor, Isis or Athena. Do you truly believe that you believe in your God more than they believed in their Gods. That your faith in your God is stronger than a Buddhists faith or a devout Hindu?

Atheists simply apply the rule of non-belief to your foolish mythology, just as you apply it to any faith other than your own. What makes Christians worse than other religious practitioners is their constant need to witness, their constant need to say "believe in my God, only believers in my God can go to heaven". I discard your useless religion as you discard the Ancient Worlds mythology. I label you Mythologist, its a simple step to take for anyone who understands how the Old Testament was written, how Christianity has obliterated and absorbed all previous mythologies in an attempt to control the minds of men.

Answer 8

Why is it so important for people that believe in God to accept that there are always gonna be people who don't ...Do you see us knocking on your door telling you there is no God and asking you to believe in us and change your religion and all that ... ever think of believe what you believe and let me do the same?????
I'm sure you could find something better to do with your time

Answer 9

I never ask for proof. You can't prove the existance or non-existance of a god. It's about faith. Some people have it. I don't. I just wish the people that have it would be a little quieter and less aggressive about recruiting.

Answer 10

Even if someone could prove the xian/muslim/jewish version of gawd exists it would not matter to me. The gawd of the bible, torah or the quran is an intolerant bigot who is unworthy of my worship.