Atheists: Since you cannot disprove the existence of God and I cannot prove the existence of God...?

I like having atheists here. They ask some really good questions and they also give really thoughtful answers.

I'd prefer to have them stick around and keep things interesting, rather than have a bunch of christians on here either whining about the end times and their alleged persecution, or trying shove their idea of god down my throat.

Science cannot prove or disprove the FSM either, but you don't believe in him, do you? Science begins with observable facts, constructs a hypothesis, and tests it. Currently, there is no verifiable evidence or logical proof for god, just like there isn't for the FSM. As for evolution, it certainly goes against the grain of Genesis and that we are all offspring of two people who lived for over 900 years. Somehow, those genes didn't get passed on.

Well left for ME to do? Not much. Left for YOU to do? Understand the concept of "burden of proof". You are making the assertion - a very extraoridnary assertion - that not only is there A undetectable untestable supreme deity out there but that your chosen set of myths about such a deity are the CORRECT ones that tell us what it's like and what it wants. Yet you offer no evidence or reasoning for why this should be something we accept as true.

Atheists do not have to disprovce your god because we are atheistic about all gods. We don't have to disprove all gods because we simply refuse to accept the claims. Disproving a metaphysical concept is logically impossible. You cannot disprove invisible pink unicorns or even the FSM. Logically, the notion of Biblegod has exactly the same basis, and the burden of proof belongs in exactly the same place.

As for the wonderfully original question of why we are on this section that's simple - when you stop religion affecting our lives, we'll stop talking about it.

Some are drawn to be a distraction and some are here to understand. CatCat and The Laughing Man are right it would be pointless without some of them. This is an open forum and in many ways a microcosim of the world we live in. I thank God for the opportunity to share his truth with them.

The burden of proof is on the one stating an assumption, while possessing no valid, reliable or verifiable proof of the same, as a "positive" and not on the one stating the converse.

There is little to no discussion occurring here. Rather, there are those basically close minded persons who, by the example of the their reasoning or lack their of, their inability to pursue factual information in a systematic manner and their failure to employ logic and deductive reasoning, as well as by their failure to provide valid, reliable and verifiable substantiated data and facts, promote a self chosen mythology to which they desperately cling while wishing that all others would do the same.

Perhaps it would be wiser for each to seek his or her own answers from within him or herself rather than to look to the failed systems of the past.

Be well and be wise.

AADITION:

By the way, my "Christian" friend, doesn't it say in the writing you espouse to have been divinely revealed that one is not to judge others lest he himself should be judged in a similar manner, as well as not looking to take the splinter out of your brother's eye when you, yourself, have a log in your own?

Isn't to do othewise being not only a hypocrite but also cleaarly demonstrating that you do not follow the very religion you are preaching?

(Can you say, "Oops!" ? Thought you could....)

Your insinuation is right; there is nothing left for us to do. It won't achieve anything, just bring more conflict. Why are we still here. Because Aethiests/Agnostics like to discuss religion too. Not all Aethiests are angry bastards who like to pick on the faithfull types. We like to discuss religion for as mentioned a healthy dose of philosophy in our 'faithless' lives. In fact what are you are saying is that this section (that is religion and spirituality) is only for 'the faithful'..a big fat load of discrimination right there if u ask me.

The section is called Religion and Spirituality. It is not the sole realm of christianity topics. Agnosticism and Atheism as well as Buddhism and Islam are obviously valid spiritual positions.

If this section was called "christianity, then I might sympathize with your position... </END ANSWER>

I ask you to deeply consider and reflect upon the embarrassment that your ill-conceived post may have caused your spiritual brethren.

As for me, I will consider and reflect upon my post tomorrow (on Uposatha)

Peace and Light

maybe "you" cannot prove the existence of God, but the rest of us christians can....the miracle of life, the universe and galaxy, etc.

You sound controlling. Q&A is free to everyone, you can't determine who is to go where. If someone chooses to write in this section they are free to do so. If something annoys you then it's up to you to correct you, your way of seeing things, your perception.

And, directing a Q toward one group to start an argument is against the community rules.

I think you misunderstand. You cannot _scientifically_ prove or disrove that your deity exists. That does not mean that you can't prove it using common sense or valid reasoning.

For example, I can say that a purple unicorn exists in your bedroom but you cannot see him because he is invisible. Now, you can't disprove that scientifically because you can't prove that the unicorn isn't invisible or immaterial or whatnot. What you can do is use common sense to reason that I made it up and that as unicorns don't even exist that my claim is even more full of crap. I call the same on your deity.

Why all the hassle over this question? If your pro 'God,' that's cool. If your not, that's cool too. I don't think a bolt of lightning is going to strike you down if you are a non believer. The only thing is, don't push your tenants on each other.