Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence

Absence of evidence can be evidence of absence if the thing in question is something you'd expect there to be evidence of if it was present. Like if someone tells you there's a bear in your house and you search your house without finding a bear, there's probably not a bear in your house.

Reminds me of this poem.

Author unknown

He was just a little boy, out on a week’s first day.
He was headed home from Sunday school and dawdling on the way.
He scuffed his shoes into the grass; he found a caterpillar.
He found a fluffy milkweed pod and blew out all the “filler.”
A bird’s nest in a tree overhead, so wisely placed on high.
Was just another wonder that caught his eager eye.

A neighbor watched his zigzag course and hailed him from the lawn;
Asked him where he’d been that day and what was going on.
“I’ve been to Bible school,” he said and turned a piece of sod.
He picked up a wiggly worm replying, “I’ve learned a lot of God.”

“M’m very fine way,” the neighbor said, “for a boy to spend his time.
If you can tell me where God is, I’ll give you a brand new dime.”
Quick as a flash the answer came; nor were his accents faint.
“I’ll give you a dollar, mister, if you can tell me where God ain’t.”

Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

That is true. Yet extraordinary claims are less likely to be true. This is the concept of onus.

It can be incidentally proved that God definitely does not exist, but you wouldn't appreciate that, so out of respect I won't provide this information here.

I don't dislike Christians I don't think they are bad necessarily. However there's too many religions and how could I pick when there's little evidence to suggest any are true.

Even if Christianity is true, I have a big problem with God because essentially he is allowing us to suffer to test to see if we will be good enough slaves in the afterlife and if we aren't good enough we burn.

He essentially owns us, is allowed to sin in ways that would forbid us from his kingdom.

So if that is the case I'm sure when I'm burning in Hell for eternity I will beg to be god's slave but whilst I'm healthy and functioning I object to what God is about.

Again though I don't mind those with Christian values because they are generally good people.

I also like: that which is asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.

And when there’s no evidence for either position, just leave people be.

Those are all magnificent arguments. What most don't realize is that we, as believers, have also struggled with those issues. In the past and at present. We have, however, chosen for reasons of our own, to follow the faith.
Thank you for all the great comments. And God Bless you

True, but we must not fall into the "absence of evidence means it's true" fallacy that seems to be rampant these days.

💖

So you agree that the flying spaghetti monster could actually exist?

And the unknown is not a proof.