Who has the burden of proof?

Question

In most things, it's generally easy to know who is responsible for proving something. Religion is different. Burden of proof lies with the one making the extraordinary claim. To atheists, the theist makes an extraordinary claim by saying an omnipotent god exists yet cannot be seen. To the theist, the atheist makes the extraordinary claim by going against the long held belief that there is no god or gods. To me, it seems that in religion burden of proof and who it lies with depends on your stance. If you're theist, it lies with the atheist and vice versa. What do you guys think? Who has to prove to the other side that they are right with empirical evidence?

Answer 1

With the limited intelligence of a human being, it is impossible, scientifically speaking, to completely rule out the existence of God. In order to do this you would have to know EVERYTHING. As a Theist, I only need to find one peace of scientific evidence to shatter the atheist stance that there is no God. With thousands of pieces of archaeological evidence and historical documents to support the Bible, the existence of Jesus, and His Crucifixion, I feel scientifically safe in my beliefs. The burden of proof is on the atheist. Theists only have to be right once to show that God can exist. Atheists have to be right every time to say that He cannot.

Answer 2

Atheists do say that the burden of proof is on the Christians.Although I don't feel that we need to prove God exists,because He wishes for people to believe in Him by faith as a test of their love and commitment,I do my best to explain why I believe.They either accept it or they don't.After I testify as to why I believe God exists,I am no longer under any obligation to say more. "And whoever shall not receive you,nor hear your words,when ye depart out of that house or city,shake off the dust of your feet." Matthew 10:14.
2 Timothy 4:3,4

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers,having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth,and shall be turned onto fables."

In other words,they will not let themselves hear the truth.Instead,to suit their own desires,they will use the teachings of science(evolution) because it says what they want to hear,and even deny the truth for myths.

One of satan's greatest tools of deceit is science,and many blindly follow it because it's written up in some educational textbook,and if it's in a textbook,then it must be true,right?But that's not always the case.
But anyway,to be fair,I don't think the burden of proof is on the atheist either. Nothing an atheist could show a true theist would influence and change their beliefs.One simply believes or they don't,and in most cases,once the mind is made up,it doesn't usually change for the simple reason that neither side has definite proof of anything.Their only proof is what they feel to be true.

Answer 3

Well, let's look at it another way. Before anyone noticed gravity, who had the burden of proof to prove that it existed? No one, it just did. After falling off cliffs, etc., someone finally noticed that if you step out into space, you drop like a rock.

You can argue over God until you are blue in the face. You can think you've "won" the argument that the bible isn't true. None of it will matter in that day when every knee will bow, and every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Answer 4

All those who truly believe in a "God" and all those who truly believe "God" cannot exist do so because they have faith. Neither contention, "God" does exist or "God" doesn't exist, has a means of falsification. Both mindsets hold the same lack of logistical viability.

All things being even, the burden of proof lies on the claimant, always (whether theist or atheist).

The humble believers in the existence of "God" or the absence of "God", those who don't profess empirical knowledge to others but simply hold silent faith in their own beliefs, needn't worry about your question.

Answer 5

The theists have the burden of proof because it is definitively impossible to prove that an omnipotent being doesn't exist. Especially when the bible actually says that you can't test it.

Answer 6

Both the believer and non-believer have access to the same evidence. The Bible was written by many individuals over a large span of time. These writers claim that not only is there a God, but that they were inspired by this God to reveal His will and word. If you do not believe their claims, you must present evidence to suggest that they are not telling the truth.

Answer 7

in philosophy and intellectual debate the burden is with the proposition, ie; "God is", and since you cannot prove a negative, well, the proposition "god is" loses. However to state "God isn't" such as atheists do, is also a proposition.

Seems to give the Atheist an easy out, doesn't it? Since he says to the believer, that you can't prove a negative. So, go figure, good luck.

Answer 8

The burden of proof would lie with the "Theist", he IS, the one trying to prove there really is a God.

The Atheist, doesn't believe anyway, so therefore, he has nothing to prove!

His observations make a chain!

Answer 9

The concept of "burdon of proof" applies only to court rooms and formal debates. In the ordinary world, the burdon lies upon whoever wishes to convince someone else to accept their position.

Answer 10

Man cannot prove God's existence by emperical evidence alone. That is why Jesus said, "no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him." (John 6:65)

And so, while men are called to speak the Word of God, it is ultimately God who shows the evidence of God. For it is written, "the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power."

(It is also wise to remember that God has said, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.")