Atheism is, essentially, a negative position. It is not believing in a god, or actively believing there is no God, or choosing to not exercise any belief or non-belief concerning God, etc. Which ever flavor is given to atheism, it is a negative position. In discussions with atheists, I don't hear any evidence for the validity of atheism. There are no "proofs" that God does not exist in atheist circles; at least, none that I have heard -- especially since you can't prove a negative regarding God's existence.
Of course, that isn't to say that atheists haven't attempted to offer some proofs that God does not exist. But their attempted proofs are invariably insufficient.
After all, how do you prove there is no God in the universe? How do you prove that in all places and all times, there is no God
You can't. Besides, if there were a proof of Gods non-existence, then atheists would be continually using it.
2007-01-17 23:57:39 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I've met a lot of Atheists and debated with them. Essentially all of them base their beliefs on rebellion against Christianity.
Some have claimed that this is not true, but then when I see them responding to Christians, the bitterness comes out.
What's the source? Is it actually impossible to be an Atheist on the merits of Atheism alone?
2007-01-18 00:02:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 11⤋
Of course, if you ever listened to us atheists, you would notice that a great deal of us actually say that proving the non-existence of God is impossible. Also, that this is obvious.
Atheism is certainly a negative position; but only in relation to the existence of God. As in "there is none".
Now how does any of this make Atheism less viable? It's certainly not, if you're a Christian. But since we're not, that's not an issue.
2007-01-18 00:41:46 · answer #2 · answered by ThePeter 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why are you so desperate to see proof that God does not exist? Are you not happy with your own beliefs? Are you hoping to become an atheist yourself? If you aren't shopping for new beliefs, why not just mind your own spiritual business?
The burden of proof is on those who claim something DOES exist, and nobody has proven that any of the thousands of God/gods/goddesses are real. That doesn't bother atheists because they don't need a God or a book or a list to tell them not to lie, steal, hurt, or kill people. If you do, then you are free to have different beliefs.
Atheism is a positive position. There is great peace in NOT worshiping a sadistic God who drowns, sickens, and slaughters babies. Atheists generally have high moral standards, and therefore would NEVER worship a God who commands his followers to hurt and kill people, and has his own son beaten and executed. Christians are wasting their time bleating on and on about how wonderful he is.
Atheists know that atheism is RIGHT for them. They are happy with their beliefs, and couldn't care less what you choose to believe. Atheists only debate about Christianity because of the disrespectful, busybody preaching of Christians. If you prayed privately in the closet like Jesus tells you to, you'd probably never hear from atheists because not believing in gods is really NOT a big deal.
2007-01-18 00:38:15 · answer #3 · answered by gelfling 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
If atheism was NOT viable, it would cease to exist. Atheists have existed in every generaration, in every society, for as long as anyone can recount. It's perfectly viable. Is it valid? That's quite a different question!
It appears to be equally as valid as theism insofar as neither camp can disprove the others' case, or even prove their own. This is due to the subjective nature of proof. What's proof to believers is not proof to disbelievers. To turn your closing statement around, if there was proof of God's existence, then theists would be continually using it.
Within the atheist camp, there are at least two types of disbelievers. There are those who defiantly rail against the idea of God (but how can you defy someone who does not exist?) Then there are those who feel they have gained insight into the apparent irrelevance of the divine. Such ones would not even consider your question as valid. So, if you want some good answers, how about rephrasing your question?
2007-01-18 00:19:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
i'm a Christian, yet i'm telling you this because you're embarrassing me. it truly is only the type of ingredient that makes them imagine we are nuts. you're trying to conceal rambling nonsense as a logical argument. It makes no experience. in the starting up, what does having a "unfavourable position" mean? i haven't got self assurance a meteor will crash into Earth on the prompt killing us all-- do I carry a "unfavourable position"? Or, conversely, I DO have self assurance the tree in my outdoor will start up sprouting money day after today". Do I carry a "effective position" right here? "for the reason that atheism can't be shown and for the reason that disproving information for God does no longer educate there is no God, atheists have a position it truly is intellectually indefensible. it truly is ridiculous. Atheism desires no "information". it truly is not incumbent upon everyone to PROOVE some thing doesn't exist except it would want to FIRST be shown TO exist. it truly is God that can not be shown or disproved. Do you've faith there are invisible pink elephants flying in the skies? Which makes extra experience-- so that you could educate there are literally not, or I even ought to educate there are? enable us have self assurance, yet please provide up insisting that atheism is "intellectually indefensible". you're on VERY skinny ice.
2016-11-25 01:02:41 · answer #5 · answered by adule 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
erm...why is it a negative position? i am a generally optimistic person and i am an atheist. plus, there are no 'proofs', as you say [i think you meant 'there is no proof'], of any gods existing. i never hear any evidence for the validity of any other religion, either, when i am in discussions with religious people...they all use the same circular reasoning.
[EDIT]
"Essentially all of them base their beliefs on rebellion against Christianity."
not really...i'll get a bit mad at ANYONE who tries to force me into believing something i don't believe it. it's very annoying when that happens...it's just that on the internet, hardcore christians tend to do it most, although that can be blamed on the fact that the majority of people are christian.
2007-01-18 00:03:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
The principles of logical reasoning dictate that the burden of proof is on the person making the claim. If you say that God exists, you believe in one more thing than I do, and it is your responsibility to prove it, not mine to prove the opposite. Atheism is a consistent statement that the claim that God exists has not been proven, and for that reason I am not required to accept it, nor am I required to prove that God does not exist.
2007-01-18 00:13:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
You are completely misguided. The burden of proof lies on the person suggesting the concept, not on the person who does not believe in it. You simply cannot prove a negative.
Atheism is the natural position, until we are taught the idea of a God we don't believe in one. I challenge you to prove that there isn't an invisible, undetectable teapot circling the moon right now. I have never seen any proof there isn't!
Look, when you say "God did X" (ie God made the world, God made people, etc.) you are putting forth a scientific hypothesis. You are attempting to provide an explanation for some particular phenomenon. It is up to YOU to prove your theory. It is not up to ME to prove you wrong.
2007-01-18 00:05:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋
a proff said: to say the thing X does not exist, you have to look all over the universe, you have to look behind of all the doors, under all the stones...etc. and specially if you talk about god you have to look all the dimensions...so at this time with thismuch knowledge it is not possible to say god doesnot exist, some may say there is no prove to gods existence too. that is why religions based on faith. you believe or not but you cannot prove both in three dimension
2007-01-18 00:07:29 · answer #9 · answered by zubeyde 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Peace!
It takes faith to believe God exists.
It also takes faith to believe God does not exist.
Ergo! Atheism is a religion.
Atheists are simply in denial. Atheists deny the existence of God because they are afraid to face the responsibility of being accountable to God. Atheism is one of the devil's tools to put men to sleep without accepting salvation.
I doubt if genuine atheists can be found, for at best they are men who have silenced their conscience by blatant unbelief.
2007-01-18 01:06:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
As an Atheist I think I am positive with a positive out look on life. You are right gods can not be proven 100% one way or the other, nobody ever seen or spoke to any god, that is my problem. In the mean time I do not waist my time on any gods. In the -very unlikely- case one or gods more show up I will revise my position. Until that happens I advise this brilliant web link; http://www.godisimaginary.com/
btw: you may be praying to the wrong god, you may be in serious trouble then!
2007-01-18 00:07:00 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋