Atheists please give me one good reason to not believe in God?
I do not want you to disprove God I just want to know if their is any good reasons not to believe in God.
For example I think a good reason to believe the flying spaghetti monster does not exist is because this proposed creature is made of material and also has no purpose. The only thing which truly can never be scientifically proven is the very creation of science itself. Since the laws of nature to my knowledge could not have existed forever they must have been created and to my knowledge their is no other alternative theory to this problem. So is their any good reasons or alternatives to God? I don't understand why evolution or science or anything like that would have anything to do with God's existence? It only proves the complexity in the universe that is pre-programmed.
Update:TO: Eleutherios
Psalm 118:8
8It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
Romans 3:4
4God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Acts 5:29
29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Ephesians 6:12
12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Update 3:Ryan M actually my entire family are almost anti-religious and I do not go to church, my friends nor my relatives are religious culturally or otherwise. So I don't see what your point is?
Update 5:daniil the cavejew you state my God is self-contradictory why is this?
Update 7:The Bible says atheists can decipher right and wrong and that other civilizations have had the law of God what is your point?
Romans 2:13-15
13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
14For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
15Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
The morals of God are written on the hearts of every human being so you trying to discredit the 10 commandments by saying other civilizations followed it proves nothing.
Update 9:satan666 to answer your question as to whether I think I am special or not...
Ecclesiastes 3
18...God is testing us to show us that we are merely animals. 19Like animals we breathe and die, and we are no better off than they are. It just doesn't make sense. 20All living creatures go to the same place. We are made from earth, and we return to the earth.
Update 11:The Cubic Wonder Evolution I do not particularly believe in but I am all 100% ready to accept it once someone finds some empirical undoubted non inferencial proof. It is just the biodiversity and chance of it all which makes it impossible. However for a supernatural being I can not put myself in the mind of an atheist without using the typical circular logic they use it can't happen therfore it didn't happen therfore anyone who believes it isn't worth listening to. That is the atheist mindset I have seen so far.
Update 13:The Cubic Wonder so you admit a supreme being is possible but if it were to exist it would be so complex and unimaginable to think of in fine detail. This I agree with, the problem is I have no good reason to believe their is not a great architech beyond my comprehension. I don't understand where atheists get this mindset that they can not assume something obvious... which they do very often except for the case of God.
Update 15:The Cubic Wonder I believe your opinion on the bible is purely man made and ignorant and is the result of you listening to others make fun of the bible while you refuse to read it due to your continuous exposure to anti-religious propaganda.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
extra ordinary claims require extra ordinary evidence, no evidence exists for god or myself,(oops i mean satan), but simple testing shows he/she/it doesn't exist
Here is a simple god test
1. God you will post on every Forum, Blog, FAQ and Yahoo Answers Category on the internet in exactly 30 seconds (GMT) after this post has been made. You will post world wide and your post will state the following:
"I am god, I exist"
A) In every Forum, Blog, FAQ and Yahoo Answers Category must have the same exact time stamp based on human time GMT.
2. Mr. Devil you will post on every Forum, Blog, FAQ and Yahoo Answers Category on the internet in exactly 30 seconds (GMT) after this post has been made. You will post world wide and your post will state the following:
"I am devil, I exist"
A) In every Forum, Blog, FAQ and Yahoo Answers Category must have the same exact time stamp based on human time GMT.
This simple test shows the devil does not exist, there is nothing that states we can not test god or we can not test the devil and if either does not exist then both do not exist. It is that simple
Science and Religion have something in common: you take them on "faith." There are few scientific laws, most are just theories or proposed ideas. Religion is another way to find the answers, but is less analytical. Nonetheless, both science (correct) and religion (cartoony) cannot be proven unless you know exactly what you need to know and experiment yourself. This is where religion gets dumb. In science when you disprove something, it is a success. That means science and knowledge are progressing, but in religion.... Religions "cannot be wrong." This is essentially the key difference, along with religions entailing cultural and social customary laws as well.
I was agnostic when I followed science more than religion, but what made me atheist were the social sciences. Through history, literature, and psychological methods I came to realize that there is no "God." Creationist and Big-Bang believers will use "evidence" that they did not directly come by and is more theoretical than fact, however you can use history to prove that "Eden" was flooded by glacial melting and the sea rising. "Eden" was where the Sumerians first started farming and consequentially the foundation for civilized traditions. The Red Sea continued to rise until it raised above the mountains and created a water fall 10x that of Niagara Falls. The Sumerians that managed to escape told the story of the flood orally for generations until it was written in cuneiform as the story "The Epic of Gilgamesh." The Hebrews were slaves to the Sumerians at one point and from them took the story as "Noah's Arc." They also hated their masters (naturally) and turned the main Sumerian deity into an evil figure. The deity was a serpent... Coincidence, I think not... Do some research and you will find a ton of compelling information that all religions are major shams. Jesus is a copy of the Egyptian god, "Ra." Then you look at things outside "The Bible" itself, like the Council of Nicaea, which chose the books that would become "The Bible" based on what would benefit Rome best.
Then think about humanity in general: Humans WOULD lie to gain power through fear of an afterlife. Have you ever wondered why there are so many "wrong" religions out there? There religions must have been formed by a lying "prophet," right? Why is your religion any different?! Also, people like to believe that there is an afterlife, because it helps them cope with the harshness that is reality. Tell someone living in 1300s Europe that there is no "God" and that they are dying of the plague because of random genetic mutations in microscopic organisms, and see how depressed and pessimistic they become. Religion has played a benevolent role in society as well, which is why I don't hate it. It has made people live with confidence in what life is "about" and spread Liberalism. However, I believe the Post-Modern world would be better off without it. It is time to save the starving and suffering masses living in the 3rd world. When you believe there is an afterlife there suffering seems only temporary to you, and yes life is temporary, but there is no following eternity. I also believe that religion causes much strife and concern that is not needed in today's society.
You asked for it with this question, by the way. I am not interested in destroying anyone's "faith," but you knew the consequences when you asked the question.
Only you can answer that. "God" gave you a brain, the power of free will, and the ability to think critically. Make use of those gifts, and set yourself free. Question things. Forumlate your own ideas and concepts of the world; do not borrow those of others.
EDIT: Excuse me, but I tried to encompass all beliefs. It is clear that I cannot do that at this point. Just thought I'd point out:
"...fear of the unknown..." "...refusal to think about anything but..."
Firstly: It's the other way around. The religious want to explain the unknown, because they fear and do not understand it (death and existence in particular), whereas most atheists accept the unknown as what it is - the unknown - and they embrace it.
Secondly: Clearly, being the Christian that you are, YOU refuse to hear the arguments of others.
PS: You can't tell the difference between "there" and "their" and "then" and "than". Why am I talking to you again?
PPS: Since you haven't directed a comment at me, I will direct another at you. You say that such complexity in nature and existence must mean that an intelligent creator is responsible, and that it is preprogramed? What explains the complexity of God though?
I suggest you research chaos theory, evolution, and grammar, before you make your next post.
EDIT: Evolution is simply an example of extereme complexity. My point, summarized, is that you can't use a simple explanation to explain the complicated - it just doesnt work that way. Yes, perhaps there exists a greater being that has influenced the course of history (particularly human history). Even if that is true, the existence of such a being still does not make sense. Try as hard as we might, we still cannot explain this (points at everything), and nor will we ever be able to.
EDIT: Ah, I thought this was a Christianity thing. Now that I realize that it isn't, I think I can agree. It's rather pretentious for any group of people to claim that they can disprove the existence of an inspecific higher deity, which is why I am agnostic. I don't believe in "God" in the sterotypical sense (I don't even know if I believe in god at all) - all I know is that the universe (and beyond) is spectacular, and far beyond our comprehension. I wish the whole religion thing could be dropped and we could live in peace.
EDIT: I'm sorry, but the bible itself has been greatly warped and altered throughout history. Even if it were not, I would still dismiss the text as wise (I think it has a lot of positive concepts, I just don't think it's true), but nothing more. Definitely not anything related to god. Again, existence cannot be explained with such a simple concept as "God". It's just too convenient.
The existence of any god has never been scientifically observed and documented.
This puts the existence of god in the same likelihood of the Flying Sphaghetti Monster, ie. no objective proof at all exists which supports it, the belief in God is purely subjective. While some kind of god may exist, I'm not placing any bets as logically the chance is too small for me to seriously consider.
What, so the laws of nature couldn't have existed forever, but God could? What makes you think this?
Religion and science tend to be two different things. Religion is the belief in a creator or higher being, science is about discovering facts through as unbiased means as possible. Mostly the cross-over occurs when science contradicts something in, say, the Bible, and this tends to create a big deal of controversy. Considering that science is about understanding the world and universe around us, God isn't outside of the scope of science unless it's impossible to detect or observe him (in which case it's understandable if people are skeptical); and while it's true science simply might not have advanced to the point that God is discovered (if God indeed exists), until proof of said god begins to be revealed I remain pretty skeptical.
As for it "showing that the complexity in the universe is pre-programmed" - don't know about that. Arguably, the extremely random, chaotic and puzzling nature of the world would suggest that NO intentional design is involved. This is just my opinion of course, I'd suggest doing some research and making up your own mind.
As mentioned before, my "motivation" for not believing is lack of proof. Not all atheists are science nuts though, so "Charles Dawkins" doesn't have much to do with it (again, religion and science tend to be different things). Afterlife has nothing to do with it, in fact an afterlife is appealing to many (and some atheists actually believe in an afterlife).
EDIT: And as for morality... morality IMO is a more confronting issue to the atheist who has no religious texts to follow, often blindly. Therefore we have to make up our mind on what is right or wrong with no religious guideline; however culture, family, peers, etc. play a role in the development of our morals (for example a mother telling her toddler that stealing is wrong). Any human regardless of belief can have a set of beliefs ingrained in their mind.
EDIT #2: oh, and don't bait the trolls. I thought the Religion & Spirituality section was fierce when I first came here, but now it seems to have deteriorated into more of a flame-war over the months.
Waste of time.
False hope (I'd rather live with a disturbing truth then live a comforting lie).
Breeds intolerance.
If the universe is so complex, that means the creator has to be equally or more complex. However, the creator had to come from somewhere. Most likely case is then a creator for that creator, which had to be even more complex. Ad infinitum. Occams Razor states that the simplest answer is usually the right one, as there is no need to go making things more complicated. You just made something Infinitely Complex, which basically means anything is more likely then a creator.
Also, I rather dislike Dawkins, Atheists understand him, but to Theists he is to strong in his Atheism and sounds full of himself, and gives us a bad image.
I see you gave some Biblical quotes, so let me give you a quote from someone that I know existed, and that really did actually say this, not some ancient book-
"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear."
Thomas Jefferson
7 sturdy motives to no longer have confidence in god. a million. All information factors to there being no God. 2. you reside via regulations made up via you. 3. No-one judges you different than your self 4. you at the instant are not made to sense responsible or valueless for doing what comes for sure. 5. you will desire greater time on your arms to ascertain different books than the bible. 6. You understand that existence easily has no meaning. Sounds undesirable at first, yet you're easily set unfastened, and there's a weight lifted off your shoulders. 7. you could sleep in on Sundays! And now for some thing thoroughly diverse, 7 sturdy motives to have confidence in God! a million. the regulations of existence are planned out, you do no longer even ought to think of. 2. in case you could behave in the worldwide, you're able to do regardless of you like for eternity in heaven. 3. unfastened wine and unfastened foodstuff with each communion! 4. All those holiday journeys! And the provides that comprise them! 5. Your existence all of sudden has a meaning, and you're forced to be charitable. 6. you could as properly have confidence in God, as a results of fact in case you do no longer and there's a God, that's the fiery depths of hell for you! 7. You get to positioned on a cricifix around your neck. (yet you won't be able to positioned on a guillotine, electric powered chair or the different methods of capitol punishment)
To start with, there are way to many man made gods to choose from. No doubt I would pick the wrong one. So I assume you are talking about the old tesoment god, of choice. When I read that this god created all the players and then choose the sides they would be on and then has a war in heaven, I would not pick that dunce of a god in any life. Then later on down the road after this god killed many humans and nations and finily killed everything in a flood it turned itself into a mortal [Jesus] . What was that class act all agout, so god could experience a mortals life with testicals. All the man made gods are stupid dolts.
Having read your Additional Details, it's clear you don't understand what you're talking about. Substitute the word "Santa" for every instance of "God" and you'll get a better idea.
What you seem to be suggesting is that atheists actually believe not only in *a* god, but in *your* god, but refuse to acknowledge that we do. That, of course, makes no sense, whatsoever. If we were afraid of your god judging us, that would make us theists, not atheists. Atheists believe in no gods, not just yours.
Faith -- belief without evidence and/or despite evidence to the contrary -- is irrational.
Nothing real requires faith.
[Edit]
Quotations from your "holy" book mean as much to atheists as quotations from the koran would mean to you -- nothing.
Morality has nothing to do with religion or believing in gods. In fact, secularism has done more for human rights in only a few hundred years than religion has in thousands of years.
- - -
Why Christians Must Steal From Secular Morality:
http://www.caseagainstfaith.com/submissions/steal_...
[Excerpt]
"Christians must steal their moral rules from secular morality. They have no choice, as the Bible does not offer a moral system, it only offers a series of contradictory commands and a supposed threat of punishment in the "afterlife" for not following them - a punishment that is given equally to all violators - whatever the sin.
"The Bible does nothing and can do nothing towards inculcating moral behavior on its own. Christians must steal from secular moral systems, and then merely graft their 'God threats' on top of this moral system. This is necessary. And the reason for this is simple: there is no morality in the Bible and there can be no morality in the Bible, because the Bible holds that 1) ALL 'sins' are equivalent (destroying any moral sense) AND 2) all moral behavior is immaterial, because works cannot save a person, AND finally all people are damned from birth.
"In reality, Christians realize that some actions are more moral than others. They realize that moral actions exist in a hierarchy, and that rape is far worse than stealing a pencil. Yet the Bible holds that all 'sins' are equal, as all deserve the same punishment.
"Christians also realize that humans can be moral agents... they expect moral behavior from others, and they view their own children as something to value. Yet the Bible holds that man is worthless, that he cannot be a moral agent, and that his sole salvation comes from grace. However, since Christians realize, implicitly, that all of these these points are obviously, prima facie false, they must steal from secular systems, that hold that 1) man obviously has a value 2) all 'sins' are obviously not equivalent and 3) a person cannot be held to be doing anything 'immoral' without intent."
* * *
Origins of the 10 commandments:
http://www.atheistalliance.org/outreach/news-2002_...
http://www.rationalrevolution.net/articles/ten_com...
Morality Without God:
http://www.atheists.org/Atheism/cohen.html
Ethics Without Gods:
http://www.atheists.org/Atheism/ethics.html
If It Feels Good to Be Good, It Might Be Only Natural:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/artic...
The Subtle, Lethal Poison of Religion:
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvo...
How Can an Atheist Be Moral?
http://www.ffrf.org/about/bybarker/goodness.php
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"good reasons not to believe in God."
1. There is NO evidence which points to an imaginary psychopath in space suffering cerebral palsy, uncontrollably waving his arms about, creatin' stuff outa nothin' for no discernable reason.
2. Just by the SIMPLE act of looking around anyone can see that shït happens to all and sundry regardless of ANY thought, deed or circumstance, exactly as if there was NO invisible space chappie pulling any strings at all.
The world works exactly as you'd expect if there were no god.
~
Winnie-the-Pooh does not exist just because A.A. Milne said he did. The first 5 books of the Old Testament are the Torah, need I say more?
have you seen him? have you spoken with him? if you have, why havent so many of us? Why are extremists so sure about their god that they kill themselfs for him, yet its a different god that you are so sure about? Why did preists who claimed they speak to god say the earth was only 4 million years old? why only a thousand years later can we prove the earth is actually 4 1/2 billion years old.
if earth's entire history was broken down into a 24 hour day, humans (who have been around for 4 million years) have only existed for 2 seconds of that day. and you think your special?