Would an intelligent person just trash God?

Question

There is zero proof that god does not exist. There is zero proof he does exist. He isn't hurting anybody either way. (Don't blame someone you don't believe in for human errors).
An intelligent person does not eliminate anything until it is elimination time. Some folks are antsy.

Answer 1

I both agree and disagree with you.

You are right in that a person who really didn't think that there was concrete, objective evidence either way probably shouldn't act as if there was or was not any particular god. The only reasonable conclusion in that case is that it isn't known. And let's face it - even Richard Dawkins in his book "the God Delusion" only says there PROBABLY isn't a god (that would be in chapter 4). Not that there ABSOLUTELY isn't a god.

On the other hand, I believe that it is possible for evidence to exist that is NOT objective or that cannot be provided freely to anyone who wishes it. A good example of this might be experiential evidence - a person might communicate with a god and be convinced of its existance in that way. Or of its non-existance. But it would be a kind of evidence that couldn't be shared... and the kind that unfortunately can only prove and not disprove gods.

So while I'll grant that many intelligent people seem to be highly prejudiced in their conclusions, I will not grant that all of them are wrong (though they may be right for the wrong reasons) nor even that they are all necessarily making bad decisions.

Peace.

Answer 2

"It was, of course, a lie what you read about my religious convictions, a lie which is being systematically repeated. I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly. If something is in me which can be called religious then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the world so far as our science can reveal it."
~Albert Einstein, 1954, from Albert Einstein: The Human Side

When modern Scientists, such as Einstein or Hawkings, use the word "God", they are speaking metaphorically. That still doesn't stop people from trying to claim important figures in history as members of their camp.

In modern scientific theory, the burden of proof is on the person who puts forth a theory. If I told you that there are magical faeries living in my garden, then told you that for as long as you can't prove their existence that they exist, you would probably not be very convinced.

So you are right that God can not be disproven, but in reality, intelligent people have more important things to be doing with their time than trying to convince people that faeries don't exist.

@ Heinz - Einstein spent the last 40 years of his life looking for the grand unified theory of physics, which would bind classical physics, special relativity, and quantum mechanics the same way that evolution binds all the different branches of biology together. And when we find it, there will probably be a similar reaction by Christians towards it, as it will make the existence of God in the universe irrelevent in the way that evolution makes the existence of God irrelevent in Biology.

EDIT: @ HowardRoark - You do realize that your Yahoo name is in fact the name of the protagonist of The Fountainhead, which was a book written by Ayn Rand, a fiercely passionate atheist?

Answer 3

Much depends on what you mean by God.

I think it's completely realistic to trash certain conceptions of what God is, especially when they lead 'believers' into ridiculous and illogical dogma. However, if your concept of God is more transcendental and less dogmatic, then in some sense it's impossible to trash God in any meaningful way. It's like trying to trash existence, or trash the universe.

Answer 4

absolutely not! God as he is is crucial to society. I do not believe in God as a creator but I believe in the power that the created / invented/ dreamed God has....God exists as an abstract entity in which many of us place our trust and faith. IT is important to believers not to have their faith destroyed or damaged. Without a God and an afterlife humanity would be in turmoil.
Since, as I believe there is no God, how would eliminating a nonentity help anything?
Why would I destroy a dream and someone else's comfort, their life line?

Is it unthinkable that I can not disagree and still support you, your beliefs, illusions and delusions.. I expect you to support me and mine.
right?.

Answer 5

Only if an intelligent person were a fool. Hmmm oxymoron. FYI - there is plenty of proof that there is a God. Don't let any one fool you. I have seen medical miracles take place to the admission of MD's that only God could have healed this person. I personally know a crack/heroin addict who was instantaneously delivered from addiction. My own life was changed dramatically by the power of God. Those who say there is no proof that God exists are blinded by the enemy.

Answer 6

an intelligent and scientific person will believe what there is more evidence for. that person will read as much as they can from all sides of the issue and take personal expirence into account. there is not enough evidence to PROVE on thing or another, but you can use logic, reason, and observation to decide what is best for you and will resolve the issue personally.

Answer 7

Religion, any, centers around idea of afterlife. It really does not matter whether you are christian or muslim or pagan or even believe in animism/shamanism, afterlife exists in every religion, and it's the purpose of religion, to give our existence some meaning, and when the end comes, make the thing a little easier.

Answer 8

An Intelligent person would realize that this is a trivial matter, and not worth the debate. They made thier choice, why try and effect others?


Now, stop trying to cause a 'holy war'.

Answer 9

Agreed. Well said. However, what seems to be very harmful is the aberrant behavior triggered by some people's conception of god's requirements.

Answer 10

So that is the mark of an intelligent mind? Dismissing something just because you don't understand it?

I think it is the height of foolishness to believe that the world stops at your fingertips.