Ceteloguing the Tricks Theists Play

[Jenny A]

Nuuupe. It's an interesting idea-putting the burden of proof on god himself-but within the constraints of logic, the person making the positive claim is the one with the burden of proof. It's just how it works.

Do you remember the first time you used a GPS or a turn by turn service? Where was the 'proof' in that your garmin or tomtom worked? was it in the person making the claim, or was it in the following of said device to your first destination? "Proof" can work both ways but as you can plainly see is not limited to the person making the positive claim. Proof can also be found in the successful execution of said claim.

Seriously?  I turn on the GPS, it lights up and talks.  I know it exists.  It's right there in my car.  Whether it works is an objective question.  Will it get me to the location I ask it too.  Whataya know it does.  Proof it works.

God.  Hello?  You there?  Nope can't see him. No evidence he exists.  Suppose I ask for a million bucks?  Childish request.  Sure.  But with the exception of base material requests for health and gain the requests I might make are so far from having objective answers that I wouldn't know confirmation that god works from confirmation that he doesn't.  

If God says the only way to find me is for the seeker to "A,B,C" do you think God can be found any other way? Until you follow your first turn by turn navigation trip, you only have the word of others that the turn by turn navigation works. The same is true with God. Until you do what He says do, the only confirmation you will get of God is through those who have "used the GPS" in the bible and found Him.

Bad analogy.  Knowing the GPS exists doesn't require following directions.  It's right there in my glovebox.  Knowing it works does require following the directions. And if you follow the directions it works.

With god, you can't verify he exists or that those are his direction because he's a no see em.   And following the directions doesn't always get you god, or even if it does, the same god. 

I don't think I'd beleive the GPS worked either if it were only in my glove box if I were in the right frame of mind and worked by giving mental images of where to go that sometimes worked and sometimes didn't depending on whether my destination request was good and heartfelt.

You are trying to put philosophical constraints on a principle that they do not fit on. There are many things in this world that we must experience for ourselves before we have 'proof' they exist.

Hallucinations?