I'm sorry, but how can Atheists believe in life elsewhere in the Universe ?

Question

How often have I seen "Show me the slightest credible evidence, and I'll believe" in their posts. Why does the same thing not apply to alien life? Not conjecture, not possibility, not "so many galaxies, so many planets, solar systems similar to ours, blue water based pearls with atmosphere in space, surely it's possible ". Proof to the same level as you ask for proof of the existence of a higher power, or say you don't believe, can't believe. Saying it's "so much more likely" than the existence of a higher power is not proof. That's fair, isn't it ?

If you are to call yourself an atheist , Sylar, then yes, I am satisfied.

Eri, precedent isn't proof. Means it has happened once. As for religious precedent, i think the hundreds of millions of theists, evolving separate from each other and yet still having religion, right or wrong, might count for something of a precedent.

( I disagree that life elsewhere is mathematically proven. The possibility may be mathematically proven, not the actuality).

My argument is that atheists should apply the same reasoning they use to discount the possibilty of a higher lifeform to all questions where something is unknown or can't be proven . Or, to me, they are hypocrites.

Yes soulful Kris, I can't prove either. So how can atheists choose to believe in the possibilty of one and not the other. The possibility.

Super atheist, I would argue that evolved Human life, and human thought is to absurd to contemplate. And yet, here we are.

Gazoo, please show me the statistical calculations showing the impossibility that a higher power exists. Just because the chances of something is thought to be almost infinitesimally small, who is to say that it is not possible ? Who would have thought Pi would not have a recurring sequence ? Maybe God = Pi ?

Printninja, that is all I ever argue. How can we, as minute, insignificant specks in a universe, know for sure what else exists ? A grain of sand decides he knows, without any doubt, that there is no such thing as a higher power.

Answer 1

BECAUSE the odds are that there is life elsewhere in the cosmos. None of us are claiming that there definitely IS life in the cosmos and that the aliens are named Xorkonians and that their leader is Xork who loves puppies and hates sinners.
Do you see the difference? You are claiming that both:
1) There definitely is a god, and
2) That you know exactly what he likes and dislikes without the slightest bit of proof.

Answer 2

Actually, I don't "believe" in life elsewhere in the universe, because THERE IS NO EVIDENCE FOR IT.

Do I hope there is life elsewhere? Yes. Do I think it's possible? Yes. There are certainly enough stars that can have earth-like planets, but until we have some definitive evidence, my answer must remain, "at this time the earth contains the only life in the universe we are certain of."

And for those who like to say, "the odds are..." you are totally misinformed about statistics. Statistically there are more stars than there are grains of sand on all the beaches of the world to a depth of 4', but you'll never find a single atom of Technetium on a beach. Why? Because it doesn't exist in nature, only in the lab.

Life in the universe may be just as rare. We simply don't know for sure.

Answer 3

Statistical probability. It is like if you asked me to buy 100,000,000 random lottery tickets. The odds of hitting one would be pretty good.

Now we are only guessing at the odds, but we have several trillion stars and a bunch of planets for each one of them. The odds look good just because we have so many shots. And we know that it CAN happen for certain at some level of chance.

And there is credible evidence (though very debatable) about it on Mars. If we hit it that close, life would be common.

This is actually a good question. I thought of it a while ago and wondered why we were never asked it.

Answer 4

whose to say the higher power didnt create other beings. I am not an atheist and I think it is narrow minded to believe we are the only intelligent life anywhere. Whose to say God or whatever you believe in didnt start another planet first. As for your proof, where is your proof that your God exists? I have never seen him or spoken to him so there is no hard evidence for me to believe. You should be more open minded and accepting like a good Christian is supposed to be.

Answer 5

'Tis simply conjecture, not based on certainty. The "belief" of which you speak is simply a thought experiment. Life exists here, the universe is vast, so at some point life probably existed, exists, or will exist somewhere else. However, it's based on the naturalistic causes of life. Since it has happened naturally once (here), it raises the likelihood that it would happen again (elsewhere).

Answer 6

Because there's nothing special about life - it just requires a set of circumstances to be present.

In a universe with untold billions of possible worlds, the chances are high that the appropriate conditions will exist in many places, even if they're galaxies away.

God, on the other hand, is too absurd to contemplate.

CD

Answer 7

Because I've seen logical theories put forth along with evidence. And because believing in life on other planets makes far more sense than a magic invisible flying sky pixie that exists outside of all logic and with no proof.

Answer 8

Well, life does exist on Earth. There is no doubt about that.

But there is no evidence for the existence of a god or gods.

Therefore it is more probable that life exists on other planets compared to a supernatural entity for which there is no proof.
That's fair isn't it ?

Answer 9

Carnal minds will believe in anything rather than an holy and pure God, who makes demands upon them, for separation from worldliness.

This is the reason that religious surrogates exist for worldly living. - In the 1980's "Christians" did not go to see KISS concerts; they went to see Stryper concerts.

ie: Evangelical churches used to be places of reverence, orderly conduct and hushed voices from men who wore a suit and tie; and women who wore dresses. Now, the pews are filled with folk who dress as though they have come from the company picnic.

People present themselves (they imagine) before God, in clothes that they would never dare to wear to their best friends wedding; or grandmother's funeral; and with frivolous levity that would never be accepted at a formal dinner event. All respect for the holiness of the God of Moses, has long since vanished.

With time, this new god has even replaced the fervour to believe in aliens. Anything is acceptable to modern men, as long as it does not interfere with their accustomed, "fun" and easy-going way of life.

What a difference exists between church-goers today, and the apostles who knew Jesus: "When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord."

To call for reverence in worship, and holiness before God, now; is to branded a mad fanatic, behind the times, and plainly out of touch with reality.

Convict the consciences of men; and they will despise you.

When carnal people are not activly gratifying their lusts; they are planning how they may do so in the near future.

"Aliens" do not interfere with fleshly gratification, lust, and easy living.

Sincerely,

Philip Livingstone
www.theforgottenbible.org

Answer 10

They can believe whatever they want, same as deists. They choose not to believe in a God, that's all. If they want to believe in Unicorns they are still atheists, You dig? A believer can deny evolution all they want and believe solely in God's benevolence, it's a choice. The only distinction is what someone chooses to believe and what they don't. That's it. Take care.