Is it a good idea to be an atheist?

[Simon Moon]

Most likely, we will hear something like "I only believe what I see" or "Why would a God let little innocent children die in a natural disaster?"

It's not only what I can see (I can't see atoms, yet I believe they exist because their existence is supported by tons of evidence) but what can be supported by evidence and reasoned argument.

So we ask the atheist again: "Why don't you believe?". Let us record the answer.

Then we ask the atheist, "you don't believe because of...[his answer]?"

I don't believe because none of the arguments I have ever heard from theists for any religion, or belief in any gods, have been convincing.

Then we tell him, "you realize you can help humanity a great deal by sharing your answer with the rest of the world?". "The world will be so much better knowing somebody has found a definite proof God does not exist because [his answer]". "You will be rewarded with a Nobel Prize and all wars will stop thanks to your thoughtfulness."

You seem to misunderstand the atheist position and you are shifting the burden of proof.

Yes, I think that I am right.

My atheism is a provisional position, not a dogmatic one. If I was ever presented with convincing evidence and valid/sound logic to support the existence of a god, i would be compelled to believe.

You see, the difference between a believer and an atheist is a believer believes and an atheist thinks he is right.

I don't claim to know that I am right, I just haven't been convinced by theists that they are.

If you are an atheist and you so damn think you are right to be one, then let the world hear how you came to that conclusion, because for sure, this will change the world.

I have not been convinced that a god or gods exists. Therefore, I am right to disbelieve that they do.

I make no claim, with absolute certainty, that a god does not exist. Only that the case for the existence of a god has not met it's burden of proof, therefore, I am not justified to believe one does.

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Because I cannot prove you wrong. I cannot prove there is a God. But I acknowledge it. On the other hand, you are saying that I need to prove to you there is a God. Which comes back to my original point. If I were able to demonstrate to you there is a God, I would be sitting on a pile of money, because not even the Pope can do that.

If you are making the claim that a god exists, and you are trying to convince others, then you have the burden of proof.

So, we understand that you believe a god exists. Since belief is being convinced that a proposition or premise is true, what has convinced you that a god exists?

In other words, why do you believe?

And as a follow up, why should we believe?