RoadRunner,
May I suggest you read Carl Sagan's book, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, to better understand why we don't consider disbelief in a claim to be a positive assertion, in itself?
An example: if I tell you that faeries are real, as indicated in the Gaelic and Germanic mythologies, without providing you any solid evidence other than those stories, and you tell me that I'm full of crap... what proof would you offer to me that faeries are not real, as claimed?
However, that said, we do offer you evidence against your position, all the time. The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP) does this, by submitting claims of paranormal (including all forms of deity-magic) to scientific testing that eliminates bias and shows how and why the claims are the product of human psychology, rather than descriptions of actual phenomena. We also compare patterns of claims, between your religion and others, and see that common themes exists in the mutually-exclusive claims, which is highly suggestive of a human tendency to make shit up.
Finally, even though you don't accept the word of professional scientists on the nature of our universe, in particular where biologists have solidly determined through multiple, potentially conflicting (but in fact agreeing) methods, that we share common descent with the rest of the mammals (and other creatures) on the planet, it is strong evidence to us that there are many humans who prefer a good story over verifiable facts, if those facts ask them to question their pet mythology. The mental gymnastics to which people will stoop in order to deny these facts is honestly astounding to me.
May I suggest you read Carl Sagan's book, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, to better understand why we don't consider disbelief in a claim to be a positive assertion, in itself?
An example: if I tell you that faeries are real, as indicated in the Gaelic and Germanic mythologies, without providing you any solid evidence other than those stories, and you tell me that I'm full of crap... what proof would you offer to me that faeries are not real, as claimed?
However, that said, we do offer you evidence against your position, all the time. The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP) does this, by submitting claims of paranormal (including all forms of deity-magic) to scientific testing that eliminates bias and shows how and why the claims are the product of human psychology, rather than descriptions of actual phenomena. We also compare patterns of claims, between your religion and others, and see that common themes exists in the mutually-exclusive claims, which is highly suggestive of a human tendency to make shit up.
Finally, even though you don't accept the word of professional scientists on the nature of our universe, in particular where biologists have solidly determined through multiple, potentially conflicting (but in fact agreeing) methods, that we share common descent with the rest of the mammals (and other creatures) on the planet, it is strong evidence to us that there are many humans who prefer a good story over verifiable facts, if those facts ask them to question their pet mythology. The mental gymnastics to which people will stoop in order to deny these facts is honestly astounding to me.
A Christian told me: if you were saved you cant lose your salvation. you're sealed with the Holy Ghost
I replied: Can I refuse? Because I find the entire concept of vicarious blood sacrifice atonement to be morally abhorrent, the concept of holding flawed creatures permanently accountable for social misbehaviors and thought crimes to be morally abhorrent, and the concept of calling something "free" when it comes with the strings of subjugation and obedience perhaps the most morally abhorrent of all... and that's without even going into the history of justifying genocide, slavery, rape, misogyny, religious intolerance, and suppression of free speech which has been attributed by your own scriptures to your deity. I want a refund. I would burn happily rather than serve the monster you profess to love.
I replied: Can I refuse? Because I find the entire concept of vicarious blood sacrifice atonement to be morally abhorrent, the concept of holding flawed creatures permanently accountable for social misbehaviors and thought crimes to be morally abhorrent, and the concept of calling something "free" when it comes with the strings of subjugation and obedience perhaps the most morally abhorrent of all... and that's without even going into the history of justifying genocide, slavery, rape, misogyny, religious intolerance, and suppression of free speech which has been attributed by your own scriptures to your deity. I want a refund. I would burn happily rather than serve the monster you profess to love.
