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? asked in Society & CultureReligion & Spirituality · 9 years ago

Atheists: What would you accept as confirmation of the existence of a god or gods?

I'm an atheist myself, and I don't really think that anything would convince me. The Arthur C. Clarke quote "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." Also known as his third Law of prediction, would negate any sort of "evidence" that I could conceive of. Couldn't it be an alien? A time traveler? A visitor from an alternate universe? Not to mention the fact that I might be hallucinating or simply not taking in the information accurately. There are an infinite number of natural explanations that, while improbable, are far more likely than a supernatural one. What are your thoughts?

Update:

@Gazoo- What would a god "Showing up" entail? And how would you know that it wasn't a trick from one of the aforementioned beings with advanced technology?

Update 2:

@Lance- How can you trust your "instincts"? Couldn't a sufficiently advanced technology alter such feelings within you?

Update 3:

@Iman- I do leave believers alone. I don't knock on their doors trying to spread atheism. I don't leave atheist "literature" in doctors offices and public areas. I don't make laws based on atheism. And yet, Christians still tell me that I'm going to burn in hell. Your argument is invalid!

Update 4:

@The_Doc_Man- Your's is the best one so far. While I would definitely be convinced (by definition) I still, at least in my current mind set, have to take in the possibility that an advanced technology could in fact alter my brain in such a way force me to be convinced that it was a god. While I do think that a god would be able to convince me, I don't think that would be something that only a god could do.

13 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    I agree,nothing in this material world can prove the existence of a spiritual being. The only proof I can imagine is if I were to enter a spiritual world,whatever that is. But then I wouldn't be this me with the faculties that I use to verify proof,so even that wouldn't necessarily prove anything. As I am writing this I am listening to an interview of Amir Aczel and he is talking about the god particle. Bizarre.

  • Dumbledore
    9 years ago

    What it would take is God actually appearing right in front of me, and proving to me he is God by doing something only god can do (like pop a mountain out of the ground or something). No images, books, people, videos, or words can make me believe in him. It has to be the real deal. Also I'd question him on everything, and then make him show me heaven or something. But even then there is a chance it is not God, because of how far fetched this is, it could be an alien, or someone with magical powers (for all we know those could exist too).

  • Maurog IV
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    Showing up, curing an amputee with prayer, signing the moon.

    Basically, doing what only a god can do. It's the same with vampires - I won't believe someone is a vampire if all he does is drink blood. I will believe if he turns into a bat.

  • Anonymous
    9 years ago

    Simple.

    If every bullet in the world simultaneously transformed into a mini-marshmallow, I would concede that there is a god.

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  • jl
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    just part the red sea again.

    or maybe 200,000ft tall solid gold letters on the moon saying GOD

  • The_Doc_Man
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    God would be able to convince you. If you cannot be convinced, it isn't God.

  • Ernest S
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    Atheists do not want God so nothing will accepted.

    All who seek God with their whole heart are promised to find Him and that is the testimony of those who have.

    Atheists do not seek God.

    And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

    And I will be found of you, saith the LORD

  • Eragon Dovahkiin
    9 years ago

    When I see mountains lift up their skirts and dance the can-can.

  • Uncle Wayne
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    If he came to Earth and announced he was going to rearrange our solar system,

    and then, the next our solar system was rearranged.

  • ?
    9 years ago

    I would have to wake up one day and believe.

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