Evidence for atheist claims

[Alex K]

Besides the poster that came after me, no one really answered anything, well, anything besides unbased mockery which I am getting used to.

Now, I have read this claim "The Earth is thought to have been formed about 4.6 billion years ago by collisions in the giant disc-shaped cloud of material that also formed the Sun. Gravity slowly gathered this gas and dust together into clumps that became asteroids and small early planets called planetesimals. These objects collided repeatedly and gradually got bigger, building up the planets in the Solar System, including the Earth.

The details of how the Earth formed are still being worked out. Scientists study meteorites and the oldest rocks on Earth to understand what happened in these earliest times in the Solar System. They also observe other solar systems in our galaxy, the Milky Way." but you are not better than any theist by just stating it so, if you read this claim without any further information it looks like a beautiful tale. I need, as you, evidence for this claim. What is the evidence behind this?

You said I could read the internet but that is not my point. This is a debate forum and if we would search the internet everytime we have a doubt there would be no forum at all, I want you guys to explain this to me.

You're right of course. But have you considered this:

[robvalue]

It sounds to me like you could do with getting yourself a good science textbook. It's good that you're showing an interest in learning. If you're serious, you really need to drop the preconceptions and start from the ground up. As long as you hang on to pre-drawn magical conclusions, you will find it hard to learn about actual science.

I can't say I know offhand how to find the evidence supporting the current model. It's probably online somewhere, but I can't find it at the moment. Maybe someone will help me out with that.

But these are the findings as per the scientific method, which is the one and only reliable way to learn about reality. Theology is just making up explanations. If you show you're serious about all this, more people here will be likely to take you seriously. We get hundreds of theists coming through here, all just telling us how we're wrong, and it gets tiresome.

[abaris]

I am starting this post because, so far, no atheist ever showed me evidence for their beliefs (or as you say, "lack of beliefs") and I am curious.

Atheism isn't a belief, it's the absence thereoff. There's a definition, sadly not my own, but I subscribe to it: Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. That goes for religion, since it makes the claim of a supernatural omnipotent creator.

I didn't need any more evidence than earth's and the universe's history to arrive at the conclusion that a humanocentric creator deity doesn't make the least bit of sense. That's all the evidence you need, and if that isn't sufficient for you, you either close your eyes before it or you're going through some serious mental acrobatics to make your ends meet.

[ignoramus]

I am starting this post because, so far, no atheist ever showed me evidence for their beliefs (or as you say, "lack of beliefs") and I am curious. I will play the person you believe I am, a "dumb redneck christian" and I will ask you things so you can answer them to me with evidence, of course. First question:

If God did not create the earth, how is it that we have an earth here and we live in it? Also, I beg, provide evidence for your claims.

Have I ever told you about my friend, the invisible Dragon Fnarg? It does my bidding, and if you don't give me all your money now and in the future, it will haunt you in the afterlife and forever burn you with its fiery breath. You'll surely agree that you should comply and proceed with the money transfer asap.  Fnarg is not a very pleasant fellow.

Ok. I'm confused now!
I always believed Rob's invisible pink dragon in his basement was the one true Dragon. And now you come along!
I really don't want to be burnt by a dragon when I die, so until someone conclusively convinces me which of the dragons is the real deal, I'm sorry, I won't risk it.
I'm going to have to remain an adragonist...

[robvalue]

You won't be saying that when he's chewing your balls off.

[robvalue]

The thing is, the history of how the earth came about is of no actual relevance to my daily life. It's interesting, for sure. But if I found out the scientific models were all wrong, it wouldn't make any difference to me. I'd just be curious about what new theories would be developed.

But belief in religion is very different. At the very least it clocks up huge amounts of time in your life, perhaps leads you to do things you otherwise wouldn't do, to treat others differently, to value different things, to give money to the church, to live in fear of judgement, and to pass this all on to your children....

So it's pretty important to be sure the belief is valid. I wouldn't have such a relaxed attitude as I do about the history of the earth, if I was a christian. I'd want to know all my energy was being well spent.

The smart theists co-opt science now. They accept scientific explanations, and then say "but god did all that". God did science, essentially. It's still irrational, but it's a lot better.

[ignoramus]

Yeah. They go to several different banks to inquire about mortgage rates for a house but don't batter an eyelid and accept the first God told to them by their parents and risk burning in hell forever for worshipping a false God.

[robvalue]

It is weird how truth varies by geographical area, isn't it?

[Wryetui]

It sounds to me like you could do with getting yourself a good science textbook. It's good that you're showing an interest in learning. If you're serious, you really need to drop the preconceptions and start from the ground up. As long as you hang on to pre-drawn magical conclusions, you will find it hard to learn about actual science.

I can't say I know offhand how to find the evidence supporting the current model. It's probably online somewhere, but I can't find it at the moment. Maybe someone will help me out with that.

But these are the findings as per the scientific method, which is the one and only reliable way to learn about reality. Theology is just making up explanations. If you show you're serious about all this, more people here will be likely to take you seriously. We get hundreds of theists coming through here, all just telling us how we're wrong, and it gets tiresome.

Alright, you did not offer me any answer. Would you be satisfied if I told you exactly the same? "It sounds to me like you could do with getting yourself a good theology textbook. It's good that you're showing an interest in learning. If you're serious, you really need to drop the preconceptions and start from the ground up. As long as you hang on to pre-drawn magical conclusions, you will find it hard to learn about actual theology."

"I can't say I know offhand how to find the evidence supporting the current model. It's probably online somewhere, but I can't find it at the moment. Maybe someone will help me out with that.", well I need to know it. I am not interested about the age of the earth because it is not something that goes against christianity anyhow. I am interested in the things that supposedly go against the christian doctrine. What is the evidence that says that the earth was not formed by God? Yes, you can back this question to me: "What is the evidence that shows that God created the earth?" but I am a "uncultured redneck" (no offense to any rednecks reading this), right? So, how was the earth formed if not by the act of God and on what do you rely to believe so?

[robvalue]

Okay, if you're going to play silly games, goodbye. I tried to help you.

You're asking for a whole science education on a forum post.