Evidence VS the Theistic mindset

[JoElite]

Hi, i've often heard the following from ALOT of Theists and Agnostics.
- Nobody can prove God, and nobody can disprove God, so the most logical conclusion is that he does exist.
Lets see why proof and God doesnt mix so well.
what i am about to do is to show you Theists that the reason why i *cant disprove him* is because he doesnt exist.
Is it possible at all to prove or disprove anything that doesnt exist?
Can you prove that ive never had sex with your mother?
can you disprove that a invisible unicorn is standing right behind you?
to sum it up..: What kind of evidence would you ( in a theoretical sentence ) Expect in order to accept that God doesnt exist? - meaning is there any evidence even in a theoretical sentence that would be accepted as valid as disproof of God according to you?
If God now doesnt exist, then evidence both for him and against him would be impossible to find.
IF God does indeed exist, then you should be able to answer this question...
What kind of evidence would you consider valid as disproof of God?

it will be interesting to hear your answers, PLS point out flaws with this argument if you can find any, i dont wanna go around using noob arguments

[Thumpalumpacus]

The burden of evidence lies upon the claimant.  If your interlocutor claims god exists, ask him or her for evidence.  If you claim god doesn't exist, provide your evidence.

[Whitney]

I agree with Thum (sorry your name is hard to spell so I hope abbreviations are okay  It has something to do with certainty not necessarily implying concrete knowledge.

[Thumpalumpacus]

I agree with Thum (sorry your name is hard to spell so I hope abbreviations are okay  It has something to do with certainty not necessarily implying concrete knowledge.

Hiya Whitney,

The Christian conception of god is easily disprovable on logical bases alone.  But a larger conception of god is not, as you obviously understand, is not so easily done.  In that circumstance, the reasonable position to take, imo, is to concede ignorance and ask for evidence.  By that reasoning, I am an atheist; I have no faith, and I find the evidence entirely unconvincing.

eta:  Grand Prairie native here.  

[Filanthropod]

The burden of evidence lies upon the claimant.  If your interlocutor claims god exists, ask him or her for evidence.  If you claim god doesn't exist, provide your evidence.

Why do atheists ask theists for evidence of something which atheists have already filtered out as a possibility? If you genuinely really want evidence, you should seek it yourself. If you have a good look and you can't find any, then carry on not believing. But asking theists for evidence isn't really being honest because when the question is asked the motives are usually ridicule rather than really wanting to see evidence. When an atheist asks me for evidence,what I hear is "I don't really want evidence, I've made up my mind already, I just want to ridicule you". It's very transparent and any atheist who genuinely wants evidence would seek it themselves.

[Thumpalumpacus]

The burden of evidence lies upon the claimant.  If your interlocutor claims god exists, ask him or her for evidence.  If you claim god doesn't exist, provide your evidence.

Why do atheists ask theists for evidence of something which atheists have already filtered out as a possibility? If you genuinely really want evidence, you should seek it yourself.

Trust me, I have, for about 35 years. Also, I've only disregarded "god" as a possibility because of the extreme paucity of evidence supporting his existence.

If you have a good look and you can't find any, then carry on not believing. But asking theists for evidence isn't really being honest because when the question is asked the motives are usually ridicule rather than really wanting to see evidence.

Actually, my motive is to cause someone who is preaching at me to actually examine the beliefs he or she purports to hold.  When I wish to ridicule someone, I turn to sarcasm, or simple pointing and laughing.

When an atheist asks me for evidence,what I hear is "I don't really want evidence, I've made up my mind already, I just want to ridicule you". It's very transparent and any atheist who genuinely wants evidence would seek it themselves.

This may be what you hear, but I submit you should give dissentients the benefit of the doubt and actually address their questions.  Any faith so weak that it cannot withstand questioning is no faith worthy of my attention.

Finally, if you make a positive claim without any evidence, you've no reason to be bothered when it is disregarded.  As Christopher Hitchens wrote:  "A claim advanced without evidence may be discarded without evidence."

[Filanthropod]

You've probably spent those 35 years reinforcing to yourself your own beliefs rather than looking for evidence to support other possibilities. Besides, if you're satisfied after all that time that your view is correct, why bother to ask theists for evidence? It sounds to me like reinforcing and ridiculing. I don't think you really have any interest in questioning your own views at all.

[Thumpalumpacus]

You've probably spent those 35 years reinforcing to yourself your own beliefs rather than looking for evidence to support other possibilities. Besides, if you're satisfied after all that time that your view is correct, why bother to ask theists for evidence? It sounds to me like reinforcing and ridiculing. I don't think you really have any interest in questioning your own views at all.

1) I've already explained why I ask for evidence, above.  Please look back over that reply if for some reason it seems unclear to you.

2) You keep speculating on my motives, I don't care.  I'll leave you to your cherished illusions.  Your opinion of me is none of my business.

[The Black Jester]

You've probably spent those 35 years reinforcing to yourself your own beliefs rather than looking for evidence to support other possibilities.

The very same charge can be levelled at the believer, as long as we're speculating on motives.

Besides, if you're satisfied after all that time that your view is correct, why bother to ask theists for evidence?

Our answers are satisfactory for now, given the current state of the evidence.  New evidence, as well as new arguments, can always come to light.

I don't think you really have any interest in questioning your own views at all.

Again, see my first point.

Also, you don't know any of us.  You have no basis for that conclusion in reference to people with whom you are unfamiliar.

[Filanthropod]

You've probably spent those 35 years reinforcing to yourself your own beliefs rather than looking for evidence to support other possibilities.

The very same charge can be levelled at the believer, as long as we're speculating on motives.

Besides, if you're satisfied after all that time that your view is correct, why bother to ask theists for evidence?

Our answers are satisfactory for now, given the current state of the evidence.  New evidence, as well as new arguments, can always come to light.

I don't think you really have any interest in questioning your own views at all.

Again, see my first point.

Also, you don't know any of us.  You have no basis for that conclusion in reference to people with whom you are unfamiliar.

I certainly agree that, as well as many atheists, there are a lot of theists who spend more time reinforcing what they already think rather than questioning their own views or seeking evidence to support other possibilities. That doesn't however change that fact that many atheists do it.

[Thumpalumpacus]

You've probably spent those 35 years reinforcing to yourself your own beliefs rather than looking for evidence to support other possibilities.

The very same charge can be levelled at the believer, as long as we're speculating on motives.

Besides, if you're satisfied after all that time that your view is correct, why bother to ask theists for evidence?

Our answers are satisfactory for now, given the current state of the evidence.  New evidence, as well as new arguments, can always come to light.

I don't think you really have any interest in questioning your own views at all.

Again, see my first point.

Also, you don't know any of us.  You have no basis for that conclusion in reference to people with whom you are unfamiliar.

I certainly agree that, as well as many atheists, there are a lot of theists who spend more time reinforcing what they already think rather than questioning their own views or seeking evidence to support other possibilities. That doesn't however change that fact that many atheists do it.

Luke 6:42

[Filanthropod]

Sorry, I'm not that familiar with the bible. I take it you were a christian.

[Thumpalumpacus]

You can always look it up, if you're interested in see other viewpoints.

[Filanthropod]

You can always look it up, if you're interested in see other viewpoints.

I'm not sure anything in the bible is your viewpoint. Why mention a biblical verse?

[Thumpalumpacus]

Perhaps I thought it pertinent.