Atheists, what do you believe is the best argument for the existence of a deity?

[Violet]

Are you using faith and belief as synonyms? If that is the case I have to reject your notion.

Always do, there being no difference between them. And confidence and trust. The question is not if there is a difference between faith/confidence/trust/belief... it is simply 'how much' faith/confidence/trust/belief one has in something.

Many people use faith alternately as God(s)-specific beliefs or belief in spite of a lack of evidence obtained by the scientific method. I don't bother

When I say I believe in Metaphysical Naturalism I am saying that I believe Metaphysical Naturalism is the position that is most likely true given the available evidence, I will defend the position intellectually as a tentative truth until such time as I am persuaded otherwise. I don't know if you would consider that my having 'faith' in metaphysical naturalism, it to me lacks substantial parts of what makes something 'faith', having a trust in or personal connection with that which you believe.

So you don't believe in Metaphysical Naturalism... you accept it as a working explanation. You are waiting for a better one because it does not click right with you

Also, you already know I think your definition of knowledge is useless so what is it you mean when you say "Without faith, you cannot know"? Because to me faith is absolutely irrelevant in determining whether or not something you believe counts as your having knowledge of that thing.

I seriously question how it changes one's knowledge in a thing to have that knowledge be correct or not. It's the same method, it's the same process, it's the same object... only difference is that one boils down to not be correct and the other quite so. Or rather never correct

Interesting idea You should try make a syllogism out of it.

I think Brane theory or computer simulation theory are in the same general league of absurdity as God If the 'Dark Flow' hypothesis turns out to be correct however I will have to upshift the probability of Brane Theory substantially.

No... not really. Brane theory is presented in such a way that it might be given some credence simply because of the big words used that make it sound somewhat credible. And a computer simulation seems too sensible to me: I practically live in the things as it is.

Too much work to make it inductive... me not smart enough methinks.

So someone who said such a thing is a potential cause of the universe! That is after all markedly absurd.

Indeed. The seagulls were playing with me today though... Playing. With. Me. I was throwing rocks at them, and they were having fun dodging them. And then I was having fun throwing them too.

This universe is so absurd. I still hate pigeons.

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"Belief in God is the most positive and productive world view."

Interestingly, it is also the most negative and destructive world view, so it comes up zed.

The most destructive worldview is mine without enjoying helping others and doing hard work. If I did not obtain some satisfaction from being benevolent... you should be afraid.