Pascal's Wager and the Selfishness of a "Good God"

[DeistPaladin]

As an Atheist your beliefs are based upon Evidence that is based upon physical measurement of some kind. It does not refer to evidence that only has been personally observed by every individual nor is it only of a visible nature.. So, any atheist who denies the possible existence of God violates his own worldview.

Scientific knowledge consists of data that may not be personally known to everyone but the data is there to be reviewed by anyone who wishes to take the time to do so.

For example, I'm not a cosmologist and have not looked through a telescope with my own eyes. However, I still accept their assertions about the nature of our universe, like say, there are other solar systems in this galaxy, because I know this data can be reviewed by anyone. If I wanted to pursue a degree in astronomy, I could personally verify all of their data or disprove it with repeatable experiments and observations that can run the gauntlet of peer review.

Another example, I don't believe in evolution because Dawkins says so. I accept evolution because of the evidence. There is more evidence that I can also discover if I pursue a degree in biology. All this is data that is out there which can be reviewed by anyone at any time. No faith is required.

Religious claims, by contrast, can't be verified by anyone, no matter how much time and study they pour into it. Miracles and faith healing are not repeatable experiments. God and Heaven are out of reach. There are no holy artifacts with magical properties that can be examined by science. None of these fanciful claims have any evidence to back them up nor can any be found by research and experimentation.

And no, folklore =/= history.