Christians; why do you sometimes demand that we atheists prove that gods don't exist...?

Question

When you have failed to provide a single strand of evidence of your god that can pass each and every test and scrutiny it is subjected to?

Why don't you stick to your faith and live in "bliss"?

Answer 1

NOBODY has faith. Christians may hope Jesus is real but they CAN'T know it.

The supernatural – including God, heaven, hell, Satan and tooth fairies – is an invention of the human imagination. The following is for those who believe in the supernatural or indulge other fantasies in preference to reality.

Faith and logic are antithetical. If religious adherents would admit that they believe for PERSONAL, rather than logical, reasons, THEN they would be honest about their "faith". But it’s dishonest to claim one's faith is logical – faith is a personal position, not a logical conclusion.

Faith and doubt always go hand in hand. Faith without doubt is BLIND faith. It takes a closed mind to sublimate doubt to the point of blind faith. Normal people leaven their faith with a little common sense. Doubt always nibbles at the edges of their faith. After all, without doubt, faith would have no context, no purpose, no meaning, no point. Would it?

Because there is no evidence for anything supernatural (including God), NOBODY can claim ANY knowledge of it. Anybody who does is lying or delusional. It takes suspension of disbelief to believe in the supernatural: one must convince oneself that the impossible is possible. This is the opposite of curiosity. You have one life, one quest: yet you choose to surrender it to something you can’t possibly know anything about.

When people talk about faith, they're usually talking about the supernatural: God, angels, miracles, etc. There is, of course, lots of doubt involved because the supernatural is entirely outside the human (natural) realm. It's not so much that God or angels can't exist . . . the real point is that NOBODY has access to the supernatural and thus NOBODY knows ANYTHING about it. Anybody who claims to have faith in something he knows absolutely nothing about is actually confessing to placing his imagination before, and above, his intellect.

Imagination has its place . . . but not where life decisions are involved. Placing imagination above intellect is surrendering your quest for meaning. You are surrendering the meaning of your life to your religion; to your version of God.

And that's fine. Just be honest about it. You made a leap of faith. Your faith is a personal position – not a valid logical conclusion.

Answer 2

Between Christians trying to prove that God exists and atheists trying to prove that He doesn't, a lot of very powerful energy is being wasted -- mental energy that could go a long way to solving other world problems.

I suggest that each side stop trying to persuade the other one that they're right, and turn some of that energy into thoughts that actually accomplish something. Like, "How can I help solve the hunger problem in the world?" or "What can I do to put an end to homelessness in my community?"

You may not be able to solve the entire problem by yourself, but five'll get you ten that you'll be able to come up with something practical you can do to help. That seems like a much better use of time and mental resources than wasting energy trying to prove or disprove the unknowable.

Answer 3

Well atheist and christains are both trying to prove with words that are meaningless cause first you guys aren't listening ot eachother any way, maybe the best thing to do here is shut up, or listen to yourself, i have seen many people call their own downfall becuase they become athiest or christians not for their own benifit but just to spread hate, i mean lots a people hate christians, so they deicide i'll get with a group that hates em as much as i do. SO they neglect the exsistence of god becasue they hate the people that represent him not him actually. I mean really look down into yourself is this really what you want to do. ANd if you really belived there was no god you wouldn't go to such degrees to prove others wrong. So what i say to any one who is unsure about somethign well i challenge you to fast, thats something where you don't eat and just pray and ask for your questions to be answered, like if you want to know if god exists do that and ask him and you'll find out for yourself, but you really have to want this, not for negative reasons either but for yourself so that you can actually know for certain, oh and it doesn't take a day it can take weeks or even longer, not at one time of course but a week at a time.

Answer 4

An answerer above noted that the burden of proof is on the affirmative. But for the vast majority of human history people have believed in God(s). That alone doesn't make them right or prove that God(s) exists. However as atheism (in its presently accepted form) is a relatively new concept in human history, proving it or providing valid reasons for it qualifies as an affirmative. Restated, a disbelief in God(s) is a break from the norm, and as such it must be justified in same way. That does not mean that God(s) exists, but it does mean that to claim God(s) do not exist you have to go against a large precedent in recorded human history. Without good reason or cause that would just be arrogant, i.e. "I know better than all of them!" Incidentally there are some good arguments against God(s), but the burden of proof is on atheism.

Answer 5

"die in torment"? That isn't very Christian.

Atheists are interesting folk. I happen to be one. I'm more interested in science and technology and learning the truth - not living day to day in a world of fallacies and over-active imaginations. People fear death - that is the basis for religion. Nobody wants to simply "not exist" after they die. That's why they conjured up the great idea of heaven (Although, everything is made up of energy..it's curious to think where that energy goes after we die. Physics says that energy doesn't just "disappear". So, where does it go?).

I'm not one to push my beliefs on anybody. I believe religion does have value - it teaches strong morals and ethics - which are a great foundation to build and live by..but that's it. Religious teachings are basically moral etiquette.

And to those of you who ask, "What is your quality of life? How do you live this way?" Well, as a matter of fact, I donate time and money to local animal shelters, I've helped out at the local soup kitchens during Christmas and Thanksgiving for no pay. I go out of my way to help people every day of my life. I am generous and giving and do not accept or expecs anything in return. I donate to charity, help with terminally ill children, bring them gifts and comfort - a lot more than any Christian, Catholic, or Orthodox Christian has that I know, or that you may even know. I respect my parents, and those around me - sometimes more than they do me. Just my thoughts.

Answer 6

Well said, "living in bliss".
Now, back at you. Why do you believe you came from minerals (rock) washing into a primordial soup and forming complex compounds and springing to life. "When you have failed to provide a single strand of evidence of "chemical evolution" that can pass each and every test and scrutiny it is subjected to?

Answer 7

I find 'vocal' Christians some what annoying to say the least. I firmly believe that if Jesus where to
show up today the first people to denounce him would
be Christians. Some of the biggest hypocrites(sp?)
are people of faith. They preach one thing but do not follow their own preaching. That is probably
why I am an agnostic.

Answer 8

All religions in general will make someone try to prove there is no God, but the second you make them offer proof there is one, they quote "faith" in knowing there is a God. But for some mysterious reason, faith is a one way street, since one can only have faith that GOD exists. Its also about fear; religions can't stand the idea that there are people out there that can live perfectly happy lives without once going to church or partaking in some centuries old religious practice.

Answer 9

ddduhhhh... proof of an universal negative is a logical impossibility... hope that helped...

in the absence of a scientific proof to the contrary atheists have *faith* god does not exist, just as believers have *faith* he does, how are you different ?

Answer 10

Every person on the earth knows in their heart that God does indeed exist. "Wonderful are Thy works, O' Lord, and my soul knows it very well." - Psalm 139:14