Why do atheists ask for so much proof to believe in God?

It almost seems like atheists don't want to believe in God. Do you just simply not want to believe in God because you don't want to give up your own free will?

ADMIN EDIT: Mercedes has left ThinkAtheist.com on her own accord. This discussion will remain, however do not expect a response from the author. 

~Dan.

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Permalink Reply by Emily DW on May 15, 2013 at 3:01am

I think what you're trying to say here is that we should require no proof at all to believe in God, especially because faith is by nature sort of diminished when you try to empiricize it.

Stepping away from your original accusatory tone, then, the point is most people on this forum like to think critically, and so we can tell you from experience that when you really explore these issues logically, they fall apart at the seams. So my response is that whether or not I require proof is a non-issue, because the proof does not exist. (the Bible and Jesus coming are not proof- see that link I posted to the page on "begging the question.")

Permalink Reply by Mercedes on May 15, 2013 at 3:17am

I think what you're trying to say here is that we should require no proof at all to believe in God,

No. I'm saying that it seems to me like you easily reject the evidence that DOES exist on his existence.

Permalink Reply by Mercedes on May 15, 2013 at 3:38am

It's sad really.  If you were my dog I would have you put down.

That is a really poor arguement. Insulting me is a bit low, don't you think?

Permalink Reply by Heather Spoonheim on May 15, 2013 at 3:43am

That's not an insult - I'm just expressing how sorry I feel for you.  I know that doesn't make sense to you, but nothing we say does so you should be used to it by now.

Permalink Reply by Emily DW on May 15, 2013 at 4:02am

People are getting frustrated with you because you're not playing by the rules of a fair debate. You're throwing out fallacies left and right, and you're trying to win instead of learn. Don't think for a second you have a right to act mightier than thou when people start to get fed up with that kind of childish behavior.

Permalink Reply by Dienekes on May 17, 2013 at 12:32am
You are absolutely correct.  Whoever said "It's sad really.  If you were my dog I would have you put down." is really just a sad person with no compassion for anyone else.  Please don't assume all atheists are as barbaric as that person, anymore that we should assume all xians are guilty of the same thought crime (many theists not only think but react this way as well).
Permalink Reply by Emily DW on May 15, 2013 at 4:04am

I like how you changed the post I had responded to. I will say, for now, that I do not easily reject anything. I've put a lot of thought into my opinion. An entire life's worth of very serious meditation. And after careful deliberation, I'm reporting that that feeling you get that God is real is NOT universal.

Permalink Reply by Richard E. Robertson on May 15, 2013 at 3:06pm

Nobody here is rejecting evidence for God's (or any other deity's/supernatural being's for that matter) existence. The bar is quite low - ANY evidence for such. The "high bar" of which you speak is "evidence".  The defining characteristic of evidence is that it can be objectively measured and that measurement can be replicated - it's testable. And according to the Bible narrative, God's existence was actually subjected to a test (remember that story about the priests of Baal(?) and the prophet of God?) and he/she/it/they revealed their power and directly consumed an offered sacrifice. No, even according to the Bible, God is not immune to testing. But the Bible itself is not evidence of God or any of it's other narratives of history - those require physical evidence. And that evidence has been examined and found wanting.

Permalink Reply by CJoe on May 15, 2013 at 6:40pm

What makes you think we've "easily" rejected the so-called evidence for his existence? Why don't you, instead, ask what we actually went through? I was a Christian for 24 years, and my grandfathers were preachers. I grew up in the church. I believed it all hook, line, and sinker. I didn't "easily" reject anything. It was a long, painful process... that was completely unintended. I was being honest. It had nothing to do with NOT WANTING to believe there was a god. I wanted to believe. I did. But, after laborious research, and emotional strife, I discovered everything I'd been told was a lie.

What I want to believe, Mercedes, is the truth. And if the Bible doesn't hold up to critical examination, it's not true. It's a fable.

Permalink Reply by matt.clerke on May 15, 2013 at 7:38pm

the evidence that DOES exist on his existence.

Please, provide it. We will address each piece of evidence with a solid reason why we reject it.

Permalink Reply by Mercedes on May 15, 2013 at 1:01am

If God were fake we wouldn't have the Bible. That is proof. So is Jesus. His covenant resolved the others so all we  need to do is believe in him.

Permalink Reply by Steverino on May 15, 2013 at 1:33am

All the writings of J. K. Rowling point to the existence of Harry Potter as much as all the unknown long dead authors, editors, and annotators of the various bibles point to the existence of supernatural beings. Same thing.

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