Will atheist and faithful -please- quit it?

Question

You are firm in your opinions, we get it. But you are not going to convert anyone on Yahoo Answers. It's just not going to happen. So please quit cluttering up what could be the most interesting category with pointless name calling.

Beleivers-There is NO evidence to support any religion. If you beleive because you choose to, fine. But there is no logic to it, claiming there is makes you look stupid.

Atheists-Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. You can not prove a negative statemnet.

Don't pay me any attention. I'm just venting my spleen against a pet peeve. Feel free to flame as you see fit. The most creative will get best answer.

Answer 1

yes i agree i think we are all firm in our opinions and believe name calling at any point is ignorance i do have to disagree some people may be looking for their answers and it just could be possible on questions and answers that someone may be looking for information to confirm or decide their belief,it isnt for us to prove or disprove our belief and i would suggest since you are concerned with name calling you would be careful to check your own conduct (stupid) this is only proving that you dont understand the forum

Answer 2

I do not oppose Atheist personally I just happen to believe in GOD. They do not.
I have not made it a habit to do anything other then to answer questions plainly. I am not rude or disrespectful and I do not expect others to be kind. That's' why I will not comment on the below quotes.


Beleivers-There is NO evidence to support any religion. If you beleive because you choose to, fine. But there is no logic to it, claiming there is makes you look stupid.

Atheists-Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. You can not prove a negative statemnet.

Answer 3

I KNOW I can't prove a negative. I admit that CONSTANTLY. What I also love to point out is that in the absence of any reasonable substantiation, it's philosophically responsible to default into skepticism. That's the part people seem to forget.

That's the point Russell is trying to make with his teapot. It's the point Henderson is trying to make with the Flying Spaghetti Monster. It's why Christopher Hitchens' quote "that which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence" is so simple and yet so wise at the same time.

Answer 4

Actually, people change their beliefs all the time. Usually, it doesn't happen suddenly because of one argument. However, forums like this one do allow people to consider viewpoints they haven't thought of yet.

So, what would make this forum more interesting if you took out believers and non-believers. Who'd be left? Nobody. That doesn't sound too interesting.

As to your last point, no atheist I know of claims that absence of evidence is evidence of absence, though many Christians claim that's our stance. Absence of evidence is, however, a good reason not to hold belief in something. It would be silly to believe something if there is no reason to believe it.

And you are correct that you can't prove a negative, which is why atheists generally don't try to prove things. Instead, we show evidence to support our position. There is much evidence to show that gods are man-made. You just have to look at the histories of the religions, themselves. You can also look at studies of human nature to see how such superstitions are made up.

Answer 5

If absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, then how do you prove absence. "Oh look I found proof that I don't have a sixth toe" I know I don't have a sixth toe BECAUSE THERE IS ABSENCE OF EVIDENCE! There is no evidence of absence. Now, if I lost my 6th toe, then there is evidence of absence. Because to have absence, something had to be there in the first place.

The only reason read this forum is to reaffirm their beliefs, say their peace, and occassionally look for guidance. We are here because the arguing and bickering challenges us and for me, entertains me. If you don't like it, leave it. But, without it, this section would die.

Answer 6

I can't say this answer will be creative, but I can say I agree with you. Forever this otherwise decent website has been plagued by the sour diatribes of bitter atheists, and obnoxious conversion messages of wide-eyed, Kool-Aid drinking Christians. There are people on this website, of both philosophies, whose only purpose for being is to shove their agenda down others' throats under the guise of overly-simplistic, rhetoric-filled pseudo-questions. I'm a Christian myself, but I can appreciate your frustration at the ignorance of the Rick Warren-esque Religious Right. Let's hope both sides can put aside their differences and commit suicide.

Answer 7

Nicholas H - I never go into that section, I know I am not wanted there.

To the questioner- We are here to discuss Religion and Spirituality. I agree that the name calling needs to stop. Take it up with the Mayor, Jim Darwin.

Answer 8

I had a high school teacher who used to say, "If ya don't like it, don't let the door hit ya on the way out."

OR, as we Christians say, "Don't let the door hit ya, where the good Lord split ya!"

If ya don't like it, LEAVE. It's a Religion & Spirituality forum....umm, what else would be talked about here? Existentialism? But wait, hasn't someone made a religion out of that yet?

Answer 9

Absence of evidence though, yes doesn't prove something doesnt exist, it sure as hell doesnt make it likely that it exists. Hence I take the logical step and dont believe that there is a God.

Answer 10

No, but it is possible to prove the absence of a necessary consequence.

A deity must either create us with free will or its existence is entirely moot. Free will is impossible in the universe we find ourselves in. Therefore, either there are no deities or whatever deity/deities exist are entirely moot.