Ask a Catholic

[Randy Carson]

Just because some conceptions of God are fictional, how does that prove that all conceptions of God are fiction?

Because not one god has ever been demonstrated to exist so it is far more reasonable to put yours in the Pantheon of imaginary friends than it is to assume he's the exception to the rule.

But it's not a proof, is it?

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If we can do this for disputed ethical, scientific and political beliefs, then why not say we can put forward rational arguments for religious beliefs that are not universally believed but nonetheless true?

You not understanding the answer to this question is part and parcel to much of the problems you have. Ethical and political arguments are subjective and can be settled through argument and compromise. Unfortunately they can also be settled through force.

Science is not settled in this manner. You insisting that it is betrays a severe misunderstanding on your part. There may be different conclusions drawn in science, but demonstration is the means of arbitration, not negotiation and compromise.

As far as religious claims it really depends on what you're talking about.

1. "God exists". Prove it. Just because you believe it doesn't make it possible, let alone probable.
2. "Don't eat shrimp". Whatever, more for me.
3. "God said don't eat shrimp". Until #1 is settled #2 still applies.
4. "Because I believe in God and he said don't eat shrimp I am going to use the power of the state to keep you from eating shrimp". Fuck off. You have yet to prove God exists let alone prove that he said I can't eat shrimp.
5. "I believe God says no shrimp, but here's the evidence that if you eat shrimp you'll die". Thanks bud, I won't eat shrimp.

As a disclaimer since your panties get twisted easily, the shrimp example is for illustration purposes only based on a well known OT prohibition and should not be in any way construed to mean I think you personally abide by this dictum or take it seriously.

Either that or you didn't really understand my answer.