Why atheism is irrational

[Rahul]

I'm less hung up on the word and more on it's use as a poorly-conceived mantra in the atheist community. The fact that it's not a concept taken seriously in academia (not even in science, IMHO) suggests that it's less of a legitimate intellectual factor and more of a debating trick, where people are constantly trying to foist burden of proof on each other instead of having a discussion.

It's not a "trick" it's a debate term. If someone claims something is true, asking for evidence is not a trick. It's a logical question.

I mean, wouldn't you find it idiotic if in the middle of this discussion someone asked you to shoulder a burden of proof about your academic background? "Positive claim? Burden of proof, bro! Spoon pic + diploma or GTFO!"

Religion makes a lot of demands on humanity. People kill each other, condemn each other, horribly alter a lot of shit.

Hell, if my academic background is as important as that I'll happily scan my diploma. I think it would be idiotic not to demand at least that much.

Instead, I think both sides should go off of reason and evidence, assessing the respective merits of their own positions as well.

Talk is cheap, son. If you believe in a god provide evidence to back the belief or GTFO.