Why Do Some People Choose To Be Atheists, When There Is So Much Evidence That God Exists?
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There is no evidence at all that God exists. This is actually admitted by most educated believers - indeed, many believers would say that real evidence of God's existence would make faith unnecessary. After all, you don't say you "believe" in typhoons, trees or horses. You don't even have to say you "believe" that there were once dinosaurs, since the fossil record is plain for all to see.
Some people see the fact that we are here as evidence that someone must have created us. This is not evidence of anything - to see why this is so, just ask yourself: "If someone must have made us, then who made God?" If your answer to this is "Well, he just WAS" - the next question must be, how do you know that?
There are a few scientists who believe that life is so complex, there may well be some kind of intelligence behind it - but again, any trained scientist would have to add that this idea doesn't PROVE there is anything - it's only an idea, unsupported by any evidence. So far all the phenomena used by proponents of so-called "intelligent design" have been scientifically explained.
Final point - no one chooses to be an atheist. You CHOOSE to follow a religion. Atheism is based on the fact that, as there is no evidence for God's existence, there is no reason to believe that he or she does.
Some people see the fact that we are here as evidence that someone must have created us. This is not evidence of anything - to see why this is so, just ask yourself: "If someone must have made us, then who made God?" If your answer to this is "Well, he just WAS" - the next question must be, how do you know that?
There are a few scientists who believe that life is so complex, there may well be some kind of intelligence behind it - but again, any trained scientist would have to add that this idea doesn't PROVE there is anything - it's only an idea, unsupported by any evidence. So far all the phenomena used by proponents of so-called "intelligent design" have been scientifically explained.
Final point - no one chooses to be an atheist. You CHOOSE to follow a religion. Atheism is based on the fact that, as there is no evidence for God's existence, there is no reason to believe that he or she does.
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Anyone who has chosen to be an atheist will have thought very hard about making their choice.
Some people cannot accept that their is one God and a male one at that when creation is made up of female and male people and animals.
The fact that the world and other universes exist doesn't have to attributed to one divine being. If you look at the creation myths of any culture their are usually a host of gods and causes and these were used to explain things that people couldn't explain in any other way.
many people can look at the world and all that's in it and accept it's existence without the need for a central being i.e God.
It's a very personal perspective and not everyone can accept that there is any evidence for God.
Some people cannot accept that their is one God and a male one at that when creation is made up of female and male people and animals.
The fact that the world and other universes exist doesn't have to attributed to one divine being. If you look at the creation myths of any culture their are usually a host of gods and causes and these were used to explain things that people couldn't explain in any other way.
many people can look at the world and all that's in it and accept it's existence without the need for a central being i.e God.
It's a very personal perspective and not everyone can accept that there is any evidence for God.
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Evidence? WHAT EVIDENCE? The only way to whole heartedly trust in the bible is by FAITH? Without faith, there is no empirical evidence that shows "The Bible", "Christianity" or GOD truly exists.
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I agree with rickcas06. What evidence? Please explain and don't say look at the sky and the moon. Science can prove how the Earth and the moon and the stars were created. What evidence do you have, the bible, please!
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Why do some people choose to believe in a Deity(ies) when there's no independent, verifiable evidence at all?
That's why you call it "faith", because you choose to believe in God even though you can't know for certain. By definition, having a religion ("faith") means believing in something that can't be proven.
Keep your faith if it keeps you happy, but don't be surprised that many other people don't go along with it.
That's why you call it "faith", because you choose to believe in God even though you can't know for certain. By definition, having a religion ("faith") means believing in something that can't be proven.
Keep your faith if it keeps you happy, but don't be surprised that many other people don't go along with it.
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The world is filled with wonders - it makes perfect sense that God is real! Thanks for answering.
Ilovejesus:
Just because you find something beautifull or wondrerfull, doesnt mean some giant bearded guy did it. Get over yourself. Grow up and read a book or something.
Just because you find something beautifull or wondrerfull, doesnt mean some giant bearded guy did it. Get over yourself. Grow up and read a book or something.
If you ask most Christian theologians, they would probably say that some people 'choose' atheism because God allows everyone to freely choose what they wish to believe, or what they would prefer to reject. That having been said, there are a great many factors that may lead one to reject theism and these may include disdain at the way in which some Christians, or leaders of religious institutions behave, a general lack of knowledge about religions, especially for people raised in entirely secular environments where atheism is, in fact, the default world view, as well as state-sponsored persecution of religious institutions and people of faith in the case of some dictatorships, or single party systems.
I would illustrate this latter point by drawing your attention to the former communist states of Eastern Europe. In most cases, there is an entire generation of people in many of these countries that grew up without religious instruction, or religious influence of any kind. This is especially true of those who were born between the 1960s and 1980s. In many cases, they did not 'choose' atheism, they simply grew up with it and it was considered the normal, default position to have.
I do think that there are signs of God's existence, although there is no proof and that is why faith and trust are such key components of the Christian message. Such signs, for example, include a sense of ethics and a conscience, which are present in nearly all people. Without this common sense of ethics, conscience and guilt, society could not function as people would not be likely to abide by rules and regulations. Threats and the looming spectre of punishment are not what usually deter people from committing crimes, since most people who do break the law presume that they will not get caught. Just check out the crime rates in those American states where capital punishment is used, in order to see that extreme punishment is not the best deterrent. One's good conscience and sense of ethics tend to function better, and I do think that this does point to the existence of God.
I do not think that religion should be based on blind faith, but rather on the notion that people of faith must bolster their spirituality with intellectual exploration, as well as an inquisitive mind, so that they are able to better explain their beliefs to others in a thoughtful, intelligent manner.
I would illustrate this latter point by drawing your attention to the former communist states of Eastern Europe. In most cases, there is an entire generation of people in many of these countries that grew up without religious instruction, or religious influence of any kind. This is especially true of those who were born between the 1960s and 1980s. In many cases, they did not 'choose' atheism, they simply grew up with it and it was considered the normal, default position to have.
I do think that there are signs of God's existence, although there is no proof and that is why faith and trust are such key components of the Christian message. Such signs, for example, include a sense of ethics and a conscience, which are present in nearly all people. Without this common sense of ethics, conscience and guilt, society could not function as people would not be likely to abide by rules and regulations. Threats and the looming spectre of punishment are not what usually deter people from committing crimes, since most people who do break the law presume that they will not get caught. Just check out the crime rates in those American states where capital punishment is used, in order to see that extreme punishment is not the best deterrent. One's good conscience and sense of ethics tend to function better, and I do think that this does point to the existence of God.
I do not think that religion should be based on blind faith, but rather on the notion that people of faith must bolster their spirituality with intellectual exploration, as well as an inquisitive mind, so that they are able to better explain their beliefs to others in a thoughtful, intelligent manner.
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"I do not think that religion should be based on blind faith, but rather on the notion that people of faith must bolster their spirituality with intellectual exploration, as well as an inquisitive mind, so that they are able to better explain their beliefs to others in a thoughtful, intelligent manner."
I don't agree with your position but i agree with this last paragraph.
I don't agree with your position but i agree with this last paragraph.
I have not chosen to be atheist. I was born, raised, informed about lots of aspects of life (thus also religion) but nothing made me choose religion, or athiesm for that matter. So you can say, I am as i was born, without religion. I simply do not believe in a higher power whatsoever.
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Meaning, atheist.
Meaning agnostic, hun.
I know of no evidence that can convince me that G-d exists. I would be curious to know what evidence you are referring to.
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Well, one can still manage to be an Atheist given that there is NO PROOF WHATSOEVER for god's existence. If find this question appalling and disgusting. It should be rephrased to be :
"Why do some people choose to believe in god, even with the lack of proof of his existence, and even how science has proven all of the crack-pot theories in the bible wrong?"
"Why do some people choose to believe in god, even with the lack of proof of his existence, and even how science has proven all of the crack-pot theories in the bible wrong?"
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Your question is intrinsically flawed. You assume that what you take as evidence, others will. This makes you look like a jerk.
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Guest
answered 7 months ago
I don't know. I just know how God has changed my life. I have experienced Him and His power. It has been miraculous. That's the best answer I can give. Honest and simple.
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Guest
answered 7 months ago
Its all OWN will my child.. If you don't have it you tend to be blind with all the evidence.. =D just respect each difference and love god more the way you know it..
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Because what you consider evidence, to anyone, not just atheists, sounds like nonsense to people who dont believe in God. I for one am athiest and wonder why you choose to be monotheist when there is so much evidence that we are made of atoms and not another persons rib. Your question seems very offensive to athiests and I have therefore attempted to let you see that question from our perspectives. Is it not so that Jesus or God decided to let people believe what they want? Then why are you, a christian, forcing them to believe? To help you understand: Atheism literally translates as absence of a god not people against religion. Monotheism means one god, polytheism means many gods and duothiesm means two gods. It sounds like you're targeting people without a god rather than every single person who isn't religious which is ridiculous because then you are singling them out and making them look bad just because they're athiests. It doesn't matter if they are people like you or me you say. Also, athiests are NOT only those who believe there is definitely the big bang! There are also those who are agnostic (waiting for a "sign") and Buddhists too because they technically don't have a god! They have a special person but no god, so why are you just targeting us based upon your biased idea of athiests. I am sick and tired of Christians constantly targeting athiests just because we don't believe! The majority of us don't attack you and those that do should not be seen as the entire community but rather as a person who has serious moral issues. We let you get on with your beliefs without trying to persuade you because we have respect, something you are very clearly lacking! So why can't you just believe what you want to believe, let us believe what we want to believe and just get on with your miserable lives without bickering about who popped their head out of the cloud or who blew up in the centre of the universe!
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What evidence?!! Are you going to invite jesus over for some tea?!! The evidence you know is like gossip.. Rumors... How do you think the bible was written?!!
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Because they are hard heads and not evan something right in front of them can make them believe.( Only god can )
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Why is it that you assume that yours, out of all the millions, is absolutely right? For all you, or anyone else for that matter, knows, the greek mythology could be the true one. The most logical solution is to believe what you believe and to leave us athiests alone because anyone who isn't christian is not going to believe in god until he pops his head through the clouds and says hello. I'm not only talking athiests. Another thing, why does everyone target athiests, why not Buddhists or Jews?
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