Quote from: Dovahkiin on Mar 24, 2014, 02:55:20 AM
I've lived my whole life as a Christian, but I wouldn't have trouble believing that God isn't real if it ever is proved as a fact.
That's what's known as the Negative Proof Fallacy. What kind of test is there to prove that such a thing doesn't exist? Since there isn't a way to prove the absence of such a thing, it's nonsensical. Therefore, the onus is on the one who makes the assertion of existence.
If God was concrete and in a specific location that is accessible for observation, it would be a simple matter of going there and seeing if he was indeed there or not. But since we do not know what he looks, sounds, smells, etc., like and we do not know where he is supposed to be, there is no way of disproving his existence; which is akin to setting us up for a wild goose chase. That's why his existence is contingent on proof instead of disproof. Then you have to ask yourself what it is that you are basing your belief on. Remember: believing something isn't the same as knowing. Yes, there are atheists who claim to know that there is no god, but they are a slim minority. Most keep it to simply not believing and pointing out that there is no empirical evidence to support such a being's existence. But when you keep it to this is what you were taught or choose to believe, that is not the same as knowing nor is it proof of existence. I would like to believe a lot of things, like having a fortune in my savings account, but having faith doesn't fill the coffers.
By questioning what it is you believe and why you believe it, you're being more honest with yourself than just choosing an idea because it makes you feel good. Part of my leaving the faith was based on a passage in the Bible telling readers how to test the existence of other gods. I applied the same methods to the Abrahamic god, got the same results and went through an afternoon of apologetics and once I realized what I had to go through to convince myself of his existence, my faith began to crumble a bit.
Anyway, it's time for this old geezer to get to bed. Have a good evening.