RE: Atheism
June 27, 2018 at 2:12 pm
(This post was last modified: June 27, 2018 at 2:12 pm by Simon Moon.)
(June 27, 2018 at 1:03 pm)SteveII Wrote: I think you are right about the definition, but that is not my point. I am claiming that when an atheist says something akin to: "You are wrong but I don't have to say why because I make no claims..." they are completely wrong. They are making both implicit and explicit claims to knowledge the moment they say the evidence is insufficient (or worse, there is no evidence). I have no problems with atheists who don't tell me I'm wrong -- they don't have a burden of proof. But I am not sure there are any here.
I do not claim to know, with absolute certainty, that you are wrong. My position is that I have no reason to believe you are right.
Although, my belief you are wrong is extremely strong, and based on good evidence. Much better evidence than you have to support your position.
Quote:I am not saying that anecdotal evidence is the best evidence. But (1) that it is evidence and (2) it carries weight in proportion to the amount available.
So, 1.1 billion Hindus' anecdotal evidence, and 1.5 billion Muslims' anecdotal evidence carries weight with you? If Islam becomes the largest religion, will their anecdotal evidence become stronger than Christian anecdotal evidence?
Sorry, but your ad populum fallacy is laughable.
You'd believe if you just opened your heart" is a terrible argument for religion. It's basically saying, "If you bias yourself enough, you can convince yourself that this is true." If religion were true, people wouldn't need faith to believe it -- it would be supported by good evidence.
