"Prove to me god doesn't exist"

[TanithDaUnicorn]

This argument is usually used in a debate when you've backed a religious person into a corner, and they can't answer. They always have this in their arsenal. Right next to "Mysterious ways" And "That's just what I believe"

How arrogant that you (Talking to someone who would use this argument) Think it is MY job to prove to YOU that your god doesn't exist. Prove to me Pink unicorns don't exist. Can't? Then you should believe it because you can't rule it out!

You may think that example is a little extreme but I see no difference between "Prove to me god doesn't really exist" To "Prove to me lord voldemort doesn't really exist"

What are your thoughts on this argument? Do you use it? Has someone used it on you? Do you get as frustrated as I do?

Bloody hell! Not all people of faith try to indoctrinate others. Some see it as deeply personal and in fact share the views of atheists that church schools are devisive and have no place in a modern eclectic society. Most people would like a society where those of all faiths and none live harmoniously without trying to force feed their own views onto others.

I think that a lot of so-called non believers are a lot more hostile and aggressive than some of the most extreme religious people. And it makes me wonder, what is it you're afraid of?

Surely it' simple. If you don't believe in God, then don't believe in God. You don't need to go around starting aggressive discussions over why you don't believe in God or why others shouldn't. If someone actively gets in your face to tell you you must believe and give your heart to Jesus then by all means tell them to go away. But if no-one is saying anything to you then starting discussions like this just comes across more as wanting to convince yourself that what you don't believe is the truth.

You seem very angry, OP.

Have a and take some deep breaths.

Are you psychic OP?

I'm not angry, in fact I'm mildly amused right now

"I'm not angry" I'd hate to see you on a bad day then. .

And in more than 20yrs of teaching I've never ever witnessed anything close to creationism being taught. I've seen Christian teachers teaching Christianity in RE a bit too feverently but even they have stopped short of spouting Creationism. I seriously doubt it's happening. Certainly it's not even close to widespread or mainstream either in CofE or RC schools.

What a horrible post, and subsequent posts by the OP.

If I believe in God, then my faith has nothing to do with your logic. Its faith. If you cant be enough of a human being to respect the person in front of you without being so breathtakingly rude, please leave. Your nastiness isnt welcome.

Organised religion isnt the same thing as faith in God. You can criticise religious practices but you would make more headway if you tried being civil about it.

That's because you're most likely from the UK, and it never really happens there, it's a different story for the United states though

I regularly engage in debate with friends but nobody has ever tried to convert me or demanded I prove that God doesn't exist. But then gun healthy debate doesn't usually end with anyone being backed into a corner. Mostly because we're adults and none of us have anger issues.

I just did criticise religious practices, I criticised the argument, and said how ridiculous it was, I then said "believe in whatever you want" As I will repeat again, I see no problem with faith. I argue against the ARGUMENTS that religious people make.

"Horrible post" Then why are you here?

that should be fun healthy. I imagine gun healthy debate to include a little more corner backing.

Tanith, you are being rude and argumentative.

Would it be acceptable to walk into a pub and berate everyone there with your loud and rude opinions? If not, then why do you think its ok to come on MN and be so rude?

Nice typo Myred

Tanith you do know this is a UK based site? FWIW we probably have extremely similar views on the separation of church and state, on evolution, home schooling etc. but you've called me a bird brained bullshit believer who's not worth debating with, I guess we'll never know!

Tanith I think you need a cup of tea love, and a wee sit down. There's no big bad mean creationists here, honest.

I am brutally honest. I don't believe in sugar coating explanations or my opinions to make them easier to swallow

In my experience the people who describe themselves like this use the excuse of "brutal honesty" to be thoroughly unpleasant to everybody.

Just saying.

"I think that a lot of so-called non believers are a lot more hostile and aggressive than some of the most extreme religious people. And it makes me wonder, what is it you're afraid of? "

This has got to be one of the more ridiculous things I've ever read on MN. Even most vocal atheists are not killing, raping, enslaving, torturing and maiming others in the name of science. At worst we say things like "imaginary friend" and "sky fairy".

"Would it be acceptable to walk into a pub and berate everyone there with your loud and rude opinions? If not, then why do you think its ok to come on MN and be so rude?"

Erm, because it's a CHAT forum? And if you don't like it you don't have to click in the thread or engage?

I don't go into the religious support threads and tell people they're delusional. Why can't an atheist in a country when human rights are being rapidly eroded by superstition come and vent her frustration. It's hardly on the same scale as, I don't know, bombing planned parenthood branches because your imaginary friend tells you to.

This is you when you feel amused, OP?

OK....

In response to this I usually ask religious people to name something they don't believe in (i.e. don't believe exists, not "don't believe in" morally as in murder), and ask what evidence they'd expect to see for it if their mind was to be changed.

There's always something - very few people allow themselves to believe in everything.

The results are usually quite interesting.

It's been said to me but I think the poster saying it hasn't had the flaw in it pointed out. I can remember thinking the same when I was a Christian so I have plenty of patience and am happy to illustrate how they don't actually hold to that model of reasoning themselves.

Believers really don't understand the frustration of people imposing or evangelising their beliefs upon an atheist. It is frustrating.