Why must theists repeat this inane argument?: "God is like the air. You can't see the air, but you believe in it. God can't be seen, but he is believed in just like the air!"
Let's start with our senses. We can smell and taste the air. We can see, hear and feel the effects of wind (i.e., moving air). We can MEASURE many physical characteristics of the air with instruments and in different ways (temperature: themometer; pressure: barometer; wind speed: anemometer; water content: hygrometer). We've determined what air is made of: 78% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.038% carbon dioxide, etc.
God can't be observed or measured by scientific instruments like the air. God is NOT like the air.
So... can this argument stop being used? How ignorant do theists using this argument have to be?
2007-12-09 17:49:29 · 8 answers · asked by Beletje_vos AM + VT 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God requires faith (believing without evidence). Air does not. Having no faith is a GOOD thing. It means using your senses and being rational about the world around you.
2007-12-09 17:55:34 · update #1
Spirituality can't be measured either. It is a part of supernaturalism which is not reality.
2007-12-09 18:05:27 · update #2
Treaty with Tripoli, drafted under George Washington and signed by John Adams in 1797: “As the government of the U.S. is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion”.
2007-12-09 18:23:49 · update #3
Who says you can't see air?But seriously they should stop using that argument.
2007-12-09 17:55:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
I think that the effects of God can be seen. Look at the advances of science, medicine, arts, agriculture, engineering, whatever else, in Christian vs. non-Christian countries. Many people argue that these are just the effects and benefits of geography. But to assume that it is a coincidence that Christian countries are located in fertile places and non-Christian countries are basically desolate is ridiculous. Especially if you take the time to research the facts.
However, Haiti and the Dominican Republic are 2 countries on the exact same island. If you look up the facts on infant survival rate, aids, economy, agriculture, murder, rape, theft, disease, medical capibilities, etc. you will see that the quality of life is MUCH better in the Christian D.R. than in the voodoo-practicing Haiti.
Also, look at Israel. They are such a tiny land mass, compared to the surrounding countries, yet, they are one of the most powerful military forces in the world, their economy is solid, without the support of oil, their average quality of life is significantly better than many of the Arab countries. And Israel was not even a country until 1948!
Look at the United States! Founded on Christian principles, "One nation under God." In less than 300 years, we have become the greatest nation in the world, even though there are other countries with *ancient* pasts, like Egypt or China. The quality of life for the "average" American woman is significantly better than the quality of life for the "average" Chinese woman.
You're right, though. The effects of God are not measurable. But that is only because we have no way to measure something so vastly beyond our comprehension. However, you are off to a good start. God created our air in the ratios necessary to sustain all different types of life. There are plants and animals in this earth that we still are not even aware of--amazing! There is no way to describe God with our limited understanding and our limited vocabulary. Of course the air analogy falls short, but so does everything else! That is why God referred to Himself as, "I AM." Because he is too big to measure. He is the one who created the universe, which we can only describe as infinate in every direction. If the universe is infinate, and Gode made it, how could we measure Him?
2007-12-10 02:14:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
In the sense that the air has measurable physical characteristics, God is not like the air... you are quite right. God is SPIRIT. There are things on this earth that are not physically measurable, but to deny their existence is to close yourself off from a large aspect of reality. There is a whole spiritual dimension to human consciousness that it is exciting to explore.
2007-12-10 01:59:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
God is like air in that He can't be seen or tasted or smelt etc. As far as tasting and smelling well that is microscopic particles of what ever you are smelling or tasting in the air but, I digress. The point is that there is nothing that completely describe God outside of God. you are taking it to the extremes. God is like an ocean that doesn't mean he is an ocean or made out of water. God is like a tree with deep roots. That doesn't mean that he is a tree and you can build a boat out of him. It is a comparison. God is not air merely like it in some way.
2007-12-10 01:57:39 · answer #4 · answered by icthyus05 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I think people like you look for reasons not to believe in God because you want permission to keep on living life they way you want and not to have to be held accountable for your actions. You will have to find out the truth the hard way like so many others do I guess.
2007-12-10 02:00:45 · answer #5 · answered by MellaBella 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Oh ok, I will make a better argument for you. God is like free space.
2007-12-10 02:09:30 · answer #6 · answered by AEH101 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Thank you, I was waiting for someone to say that.
Brutally Honest- you're also brutally stupid
2007-12-10 02:00:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
If it were that easy, it wouldn't require faith. Apparently you aren't capable of faith--that's very sad.
2007-12-10 01:52:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anna P 7 · 1⤊ 5⤋