Atheists or Theists, Who has the burden of proof?

Question

And why?

Has that proof already been provided?

Answer 1

The mother.

Answer 2

This is a great question and an important point to make.

The issues that Theists and Atheists agree upon are that there is a physical universe and this universe is filled with some predictability, etc. But this Theist also believes that a belief in something more, a creator of this universe, is also necessary. Since it is the Theist who believes in more things, the burden of proof is on the Theist, not to mention that the expectation of proving a null is illogical.

Answer 3

Theists. When a claim is made that something exists (say, a unicorn) that is not scientifically and objectively evident, I'd say the burden of proof is always on the person claiming the positive.

Part of the problem, of course, is that theists and atheists can't seem to agree on what constitutes sufficient "proof".

Vive la difference!

Answer 4

Theists. Because there is proof of things to support Atheism. Theists have yet to show proof of their side. The only thing a Theist can use as proof is their bible which isn't proof to anyone that doesn't believe already.

So now its the Theists.

The Atheist isn't the one that causes all the pain in the world just because their religion tells them to.

Answer 5

You only need common sense to know that you cannot prove a negative. So that leaves the burden of proof on those making the claim that something is true.

Give up. There is no proving the existence or non-existence of God.

Answer 6

"Many orthodox people speak as though it were the business of skeptics to disprove received dogmas rather than of dogmatists to prove them. This is, of course, a mistake. If I were to suggest that between the Earth and Mars there is a china teapot revolving about the sun in an elliptical orbit, nobody would be able to disprove my assertion provided I were careful to add that the teapot is too small to be revealed even by our most powerful telescopes. But if I were to go on to say that, since my assertion cannot be disproved, it is intolerable presumption on the part of human reason to doubt it; I should rightly be thought to be talking nonsense.

If, however, the existence of such a teapot were affirmed in ancient books, taught as the sacred truth every Sunday, and instilled into the minds of children at school, hesitation to believe in its existence would become a mark of eccentricity and entitle the doubter to the attentions of the psychiatrist in an enlightened age or of the Inquisitor in an earlier time."

Answer 7

An atheist doesn't believe in God or a particular religious text (Bible, Koran, etc). Putting the burden of proof on them is insisting that they prove a negative, which is virtually impossible.

Answer 8

Atheists do. If they can not prove that Meebleplex exists, then it must exist, right? Who are you to say Thor is not real! You will believe when you go to the underworld with Gwyn ap Nudd... I will sacrifice a pair of pigeons for you, it's so sad when someone just doesn't believe something that is so obvious to me.

Did you know that I really created the earth last Thursday. I planted all those false memories you have. I used up all my powers doing it unfortunately.

Answer 9

The theist,because they're the ones stating god exist,but they don't have the proof.They have to show us he's real to prove us wrong.

Answer 10

Anyone asserting a positive holds the burden of proof ex. that a god exists = positive, that a god does not exist = negative). That is how logic works. It is impossible to prove that something does not exist.

Answer 11

Theists.

If I believe a unicorn lives in my closet is it my responsibility to prove it does, or yours to prove it doesn't?

Same applies for god. It is the theist responsibility to prove it, not the atheists to disprove it.