A Question for moral Atheiest's!

[Sarah]

Hi, I'm new to all this, hope I'm putting opinion in the right place.

I want to ask a question and gage opinion (bearing in mind I have no religion); "If there was an Atheist who was to prove that there was no God and no Jesus and no Creationism etc, would you feel satisfied and happy in proving to them that everything they believe in is false?"

If you answer yes I want to know why would you feel satisfied in telling them.

[rlrose328]

I would feel satisfied that I had chosen the factual belief and that maybe... JUST MAYBE... the contentious atmosphere would dissipate once and for all.  I would take a little joy in informing them that they've been wrong, but mostly, it would be relief.

[McQ]

Welcome to the forum, Sarah. Good question. I would not feel any sort of self-satisfaction of proving "them" wrong. No feelings of gloating, or smugness. BUT I would feel very happy that mankind finally took the baby steps away from fantasyland and began its real journey to rationality.

[SteveS]

Hi Sarah - welcome to the board!  Good question.  Whether or not I would feel satisfaction in any theists being conclusively proven wrong would depend a great deal on the individual.  Some yes, some no.  For example, I have relatives that believe strongly, although they do not force their beliefs upon me.  They would most likely be devastated to a significant degree by any conclusive non-God proof, and this would sadden me to see their pain.  Someone like Kent Hovind, on the other hand?  How could I suppress a smirk....  

[Will]

I would only explain it to people who asked. And my satisfaction would relate directly to whether or not the news was ultimately detrimental or helpful to them.

[Sarah]

SteveS, I was glad to read this reply. I also have family and friends who are strong believers. I don't think I would feel any satisfaction at all in telling a christian or catholic that their faith was bollocks (if it was proven!) I spoke to one of my friends whoes christian and realised that they live beautiful lives and if it means they believe in stuff that I believe is rubbish (like creationism, sheesh!) then who cares! If it makes them happy, who cares. I would not take that away from them.

[SteveS]

Sarah, indeed.  I do try to stick by my "live and let live" principle.  I would not, however, have them visit their faith upon me.  Don't want it, don't need it.  But they don't (for the most part) do this, and I think everyone has to be free to make their own decisions (which will inevitably include making their own mistakes).  To me, everyone has to figure out what's best for themselves on their own, because they're the only ones who can.  I can't help but feel they'd be better off without the faith, but then again I'm me and they're they.  In the end I'm a fan of freedom of religion.  People should be free to practice it, but the practice should not be enforced on anyone.  Neither should religious principles be passed into law - this is a form of enforcement.

Anyway - the question is largely hypothetical.  I can't help but think that there would be disagreement over whether or not any hypothetical "conclusive proof" is really "conclusive" or not.  The fact that evolution occurs seems as conclusive as anything else in the world to me, and yet a shocking percentage of people reject the theory due to their religious beliefs.  I think any "non-God proofs" would just lead to more of the same.  (shrugs)

Cheers!

[Will]

Proof would be possible with a time machine.

"Hey Jesus, wanna show me that water to wine thing? No, I won't close my eyes and count to 10. Epic fail, Jesus. Epic fail."

[Whitney]

Welcome to the forum, Sarah.

If a truly convincing to anyone proof that religions are fake were available, I would be concerned if it were released to the masses too quickly since I think many would react irrationally (think of how many theists use the if there is no god where did morality come from line of questioning).

That said....to prove to Fred Phelps and his group that they are following false beliefs, yes I'd be very satisfied and so would most other people.  To pull religion out from under someone who doesn't use it for immoral goals, that person's reaction would be sad and regretful in a way.  Converting by your own choice can be hard enough on a person...it would be even more difficult if the faith rug was just pulled out from underneath you.  

I think it would be best if society simply moves away from religion as people are ready to do so....which seems to be exactly what is happening since secularism is steadily climbing.

[SteveS]

to prove to Fred Phelps and his group that they are following false beliefs, yes I'd be very satisfied and so would most other people.

Crap!  I called out Kent Hovind, but you're right.  Fred Phelps would be horrendously satisfying.  How about William Dembski?  He always seems so arrogant to me....

"Hey Jesus, wanna show me that water to wine thing? No, I won't close my eyes and count to 10. Epic fail, Jesus. Epic fail."

[Will]

Dude - that was hilarious!

*bows*
*splits pants*

[Sarah]

I too must admit Fred Phelps and his followers are a bunch of fanatic nut bars...hate to be a hypocrite but I would be OOZING satisfaction in telling those fruitcakes that they were wrong, man would I be!

[rlrose328]

"Hey Jesus, wanna show me that water to wine thing? No, I won't close my eyes and count to 10. Epic fail, Jesus. Epic fail."

<snort> Okay, Will... you must come and clean my monitor, dude... that is one wicked giggle there!  

[jamesatracy]

It never quite makes me happy to demonstrate that someone else's beliefs are wrong. However, I genuinely care about the truth, so I would be happy helping another individual see the truth (all of this, of course, presupposes what you said - that I have a definitive proof). There is absolutely nothing wrong with that!

[shoruke]

It's not about gloating for me; I just want to be able to tell people what I think without endangering my relations with them. Several people already hate me just for being atheist.