(September 27, 2013 at 12:02 am)MindForgedManacle Wrote: I think the real question is does theism in fact make a positive claim? Theism refers to a belief in the existence of god(s) not having absolute knowledge that god(s) exist. Otherwise there'd be no sense in (among other things) the 'dark night of the soul'. Theists tend to be very understanding of [some degree of] doubt, so it can't really be said that theism is a positive knowledge clai I think.
Atheism is a nullification or absence of that.
But beliefs can fail to correspond to reality (i.e truth), and holding a belief may not in fact count as making a 'positive' claim. For example, I believe that the reality I perceive via my senses is as I experience it to be, but am I making a 'positive' claim to knowledge here, or merely a statement a belief? I can neither assess whether that belief is true, or the contrary (solipsism) is true, because in principle it appears unknowable.
I may be rambling here. :3
If a theist says I have no idea if god exists, it's a matter of faith. I don't see a problem with that. They are welcome to give up pleasures just to invest in an imaginary afterlife that they believe in.
But if they say, this is the truth and I know it, then yes, they have the burden of proof. How many theists have you met that has admitted to you that they do not know if god exists and that there's a possibility he doesn't? I've only met one like that, and surprisingly it was a muslim.
