Atheists and proof

[Kdtym10]

On several threads, some atheists have said they would believe in God/the Divine if they had proof. If you’re an atheist what would that proof look like to you?

It's not my world view that your comments don't tie into. It's quite clear that what you're talking about is not necessary to attempt to understand. I'm quite happy to dismiss it entirely as your own internal thoughts. Of no interest or meaning to anyone else. What you are talking about does not exist anywhere else than your imagination.

Do you have any idea as to why God would have chosen such an unconventional and difficult to understand (for the majority of species he's supposedly created) method of 'seeking' him?

@Lalupalina, it's not that unconventional. People have engaged in spiritual practices since the dawn of time. And it's not that difficult to understand, it just requires an open mind (humility) and engagement.

Atheists have open minds and are engaging, but coming up with a different result.

It's like going into a shop in the dark and the shopkeeper saying "what do you want?" I can't see any goods, I don't even know what type of shop I'm in - how am I supposed to know what the shopkeeper would like to sell me!?

I said pick a concept, any concept. You didn't.

Your divinity must be so disappointed in you.

it just requires an open mind (humility) and engagement.

I think a lot of people, especially non believers, are very intrigued and curious about a supposed God and are VERY open minded!

Don't you think God (if he exists) would want to help those of us to learn the truth about his existence and therefore offer a less complicated way to 'reach' him?

Don't you think God (if he exists) would want to help those of us to learn the truth about his existence and therefore offer a less complicated way to 'reach' him?

@Lalupalina, it's very simple according to Christian belief. Just believe in Jesus and follow Him, pray in the faith that your prayer will be answered. Do that and see where He leads you. 🙂

I simply cannot think how that would possibly be true. There is zero evidence or even any rationale for such a strange telepathic communication form?!

I also keep thinking of the millions of children that die of starvation or illnesses every year. You can bet that at least some of those parents are praying to God to save their children. Sadly he is either not listening or responding or, my view, he simply does not exist.

I simply cannot think how that would possibly be true.

@Lalupalina, so you will not believe then. You will not, in humility, be open minded enough to forget or even at least put on hold your pre conceptions in order to even entertain a belief. God will not force you to believe in Him. This is your choice to make.

Are you open minded enough to accept that god may not exist?

You will not, in humility, be open minded enough to forget or even at least put on hold your pre conceptions in order to even entertain a belief.

I am certainly open minded and genuinely curious! It feels a little patronising to suggest otherwise.

Are you, @heyhohello, equally open minded about the possibility that your beliefs are just that, beliefs?

Sorry, the first paragraph should have been bold as it's @heyhohello s quote.

What has humility got to do with anything? Atheists are not by definition arrogant and prideful. Many atheists are well aware of what we know and what we don't know.

Any god that exists doesn't need to force anyone to believe in them, just show some evidence. Believing in ideas without any evidence for them is a strange thing for a supposed deity to require.

No, I'm not open minded towards the possibility that God doesn't exist. But it's not me complaining it's too 'complicated' to 'reach' Him.

And what have I got to lose? I don't regret the decisions I have made in the context of my Christian beliefs.

“What have I got to lose?” Ah, Pascal’s wager.

I don’t regret my lack of belief in any god - life is good so I can’t see how having a faith would improve it.

So if an atheist isn't open to the possibility of God (specifically your god) they're closed minded and lacking humility, but you not being open to the possibility of no god is fine?

Bit of a double standard there.

Wait... you're suggesting I'm being closed minded about the possibility of God existing (despite a lack of evidence), but you're refusing to be open minded about the possibility of God not existing?!?

Weird analogy, the first question I would have to ask is why did you walk into the shop in the first place if you didn’t know what type of shop it was in the first place and didn’t know what you wanted to buy.

if you are truly curious and open minded I’m such a situation you could ask the shop keeper what he sold or turn on the light and become enlightened 😉.

The fact you tried to create an analogy and failed miserably (or did you inadvertently succeed without realising it 😱) is probably the biggest indicator yet you’re not in the right place to understand much spiritually.

Why should I randomly pick a concept? It is you that is having difficulty understanding my points. Which point in particular?

I doubt “my deity” is disappointed in me. Disappointment is a human construct, it requires a separation of pride and disappointment- a separation which only exists outside the source. Even if the source recognised the separation what makes you think there would be a value judgement?

Do what concept would you like me to explain?

Probably not. If we are to unite with the divine, we must reflect the divine. Often the truth can only be learned through experience.

How many times have you asked )and had answered) why does God let children die?? Are you expecting a different answer from the same people?

Any answer that makes even a modicum of sense would be nice...

Yes, exactly it is all filtered through my imagination- I’ve already said this several times upthread though. Imagination, the New Jerusalem!

Not sure what I’m not “attempting to understand” perhaps you could expand!

“I will not cease from mental fight, not should my sword sleep in my hand, til we have built Jerusalem in Englands green and pleasant land”

Oh the answers all make perfect sense. What are you struggling with specifically?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Breathe

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

@Kdtym10 no one else needs to attempt to understand your imagination and internal world, is what I mean. It's relevant to you only and is of no interest to other people in general. Call it what you like, the divine, the source, a deity, but it is something that you've imagined for yourself for your own psychological reasons.

This thread was about what evidence atheists would accept as evidence of a god. Answers were given, none of which include the description of someone's personal imaginings. Unsurprisingly!