If not, then why does "God exists but I don't believe it" sound contradictory?
2007-11-09 03:23:17 · 11 answers · asked by I'm an Atheist 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
They are indeed logically equivalent. When you say something it is implied that you believe it.
2007-11-09 03:31:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
They are not logically equivalent.
The same with "Oranges exist" versus "I believe oranges exist." Not the same.
"God (or an orange) exists but I don't believe it" is contradictory because the word "exist" implies a knowledge of the thing's reality. It's like saying "I believe oranges are real, but they're not really real."
This isn't to say that there are many people who use illogic and/or logical inequivalencies all the time.
2007-11-09 03:28:19 · answer #2 · answered by Acorn 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Anyone who claims to be an athiest is saying exactly what you said: "god exists but I don't believe it." In order to dismiss something, one has to first acknowledge its existence. So it may sound funny, but it's absolutely true in terms of athiests. To say "God exists" is to say unequivocally that this entity is somewhere--but it all depends on how it's said, who says it, and so on--it's context specific. I can say "God exists" while watching a sunset, and say "God exists?" while watching a war rage on. To say "I believe God exists" is more accurate because something that can't be proven is always just belief.
2016-04-03 03:49:59 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"God exists" is a fact but "I believe God exists" is statement which mean they are not equivalent
"God exists but I don't believe it" is contradictory because if something exists then you will unwillingly believe in it
its like saying the sun is there but i don't see it
2007-11-09 03:32:18 · answer #4 · answered by abouterachess 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds contradictory because of the word "belief". Depending on what definition of belief you are using, the whole thing is contradictory - belief and faith are not the same thing, religion and belief are not the same thing. Truth and fact are not the same thing, God and the Bible are not the same thing, and so on.
How about this one: God is a fact just as much as you and I are facts.
2007-11-09 03:28:21 · answer #5 · answered by Holly Carmichael 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are the same. The problem is the 2nd phrase.
When people say they don't believe in God, they could be saying one of two things.
First, they could be saying "I don't believe in God in the same way that I don't believe in the man in the moon - non-existent"
The second way to use that phrase would be like saying "I don't believe in God in the same way that I don't believe in the president's latest policy." - it exists, but I don't have much confidence in it. I felt that way with Clinton on MANY of his policies, but I know that Clinton exists and DID exist as the president of the United States.
So, it really depends on what you mean by "believe" - which definition you use. "God exists, but I don't believe in Him" is not a contradiction.
But the way you worded your phrase, would be like saying "the moon exists, but I don't believe it" - now THAT is a logical contradiction.
2007-11-09 03:30:03 · answer #6 · answered by no1home2day 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
One is a positive statement which would require proof. The other is opinion and entirely subjective.
And the last is a nice way to show that the two statements are not equivalent at all.
2007-11-09 03:28:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
one is an absolute statement the other is a qualified statement. "god exists but I don't believe it" isn't contradictory its just nonsense.
2007-11-09 03:27:55 · answer #8 · answered by howie r 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i guess when you say GOD exsits you are making a statement when you say I believe GOD exists you are sharing you oppion. I know that GOD excits so either way you are on point BE BLESSED
2007-11-09 03:28:01 · answer #9 · answered by DEEDDLE 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question, I would say no no they are not.
if you will allow me a rant though, I grow very wherey of people asking me and others if we will admit that we believe we could be wrong. of course I dont believe I am wrong, If I did I would change my ways completely till I didnt believe I could be wrong. no do I believe in the possibility thqat I am wrong, yes its a very definete possiblity, as I am either right or wrong.
2007-11-09 03:32:41 · answer #10 · answered by Adam of the wired 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋