Evidence for a god. Do you have any ?

[T0 Th3 M4X]

I never said I had one.  I don't even know what qualifies as a "supernatural stick."

Is it the thing that turns to a snake when you throw it on the ground? Even Pharaoh's peeps have those things. Apparently, they're nothing special. (On a side note: wasn't it a dick move on God's part to send Moses in there with a lame gag like that?)

Seriously though, Max. Even assuming that God exists, there really isn't much in the way of convincing evidence. I think it is reasonable for people to believe based on a personal mystical experience (though other people's experiences can hardly convince me, since I think there are alternate explanations for the source of their mystical visions).

You guys are gonna have to go with the whole "take it on faith" thing. You have nothing in the way of evidence.

If there were compelling evidence for God, people who are convinced by compelling evidence would be convinced of God's existence. They are not. It seems that most theists hold their beliefs due to things other than evidence. They were raised that way.-- Religion gives their life structure.-- Existential despair.-- Social pressures.-- and last but not least: credulity.

As I said before: if you think God exists, fine. You may be right. But even if you are right, you've got to admit, there's very little in the way of evidence.

He didn't send Moses by himself.  As I know, and can easily tell, you are a philosopher . As such, I would think you could find appreciation in the idea of taking a humble person with a stutter, and using them as a vessel to do something great and of historical significance.  When even as individuals we can see the potential in someone beyond what they see in themselves, that is something special.  I used to work with people who were diagnosed with mental retardation.  When I would do their treatment plans, it was always about what they could do, or even wanted to be able to do.  That doesn't mean they would accomplish it, but it encouraged them to try to reach for their dreams.  When you believe in others, then they will generally start to believe in themselves.  That enables them to move from that potential to reaching what it is they desire.

I think "evidence" is a difficulty, but "no evidence" is not a rule.  Part of the problem is within determining what is objectively considered to be evidence.  If the requirement is a "supernatural stick", then it becomes difficult because I don't know what a supernatural stick is.  You indicated the Rod of Aaron would qualify as such, but admittedly, I would know where to find it.  At best, I can consider presenting it if I were ever to find it. 

I know faith can be a difficult concept, but interestingly faith is one of he things in the bible that is cleanly and intentionally defined. As such it can be used as a foundation for understanding.

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At work.

Well... unless the OP comees back to engage we're not getting anything but 'The run around' from M4X.

There is no run around.  You choose to perceive it that way.  I can't tell you how or what to think, so the statement is inconsequential to me.  If you choose to hold to it, then more power to ya.

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Well good on you for being so accepting of my wanting to be left alone. Unfortunately we don’t live in a vacuum, and not everyone is like that.

The title and subject of the tread is evidence for god. Meaning this is a call for theists, who again are claiming a thing exists, to define the thing and then make the case for it.

I happen to live in the US, and in a particularly religious part of the US. I mentioned in another thread that I have been threatened, physically assaulted, and harassed by cops because I am an “out” atheist. I don’t go up to people, but I have the gall to wear atheist t-shirts and have a Darwin fish on my car. Clearly there is pressure in our society to believe that the thing exists.

In addition I like to believe things that happen to be true. So if I’m wrong, I want to know. So if there are people saying thing x exists, and it actually does exist, I want to know that. But I’m not going to believe it for no reason. I need a definition and I need some reason to believe in this thing.  I don’t think that’s unreasonable.

I don't mind atheists. I have good friends who are atheists and most of the time our personal beliefs are a non-issue.  We know we can agree to disagree, and spend more time focusing on the things we have in common.   I'm not offended by atheists wearing atheist shirts.  However, some shirts I find in very poor taste when they attempt to taunt others. I'm not saying you wear those specific shirts, but I can't say I think very highly of that particular choice in fashion.  I don't flip out either at the notion of a Darwin fish, but again, sometimes those fish are displayed in a way as to taunt or irritate others.


I respect your right to "not believe."  Your choice.  I don't think it makes you a bad person, immoral, mean, unfair, or the like.  Heck, from what you've stated so far, I would also conclude that you're both and intelligent and balanced individual.  Unfortunately not everybody is like that. Personally, I'm not interested in talking to the people who want to argue.  My preference is friendly dialogue, but unfortunately it's not as easy to find here as one would hope.  Still, there are a handful of people I've grown to think highly of.  It's not that they agree or disagree, but how they choose to do so.