Where's the evidence?

@RuyLopez This is a link to a pictorial essay on a mother's unconditional love for her child = https://www.boredpanda.com/mother-son-unique-bond-carolina-giraldelli/

@Diotrephes Thank you for the link. Honestly. Very beautiful and touching. Have we switched sides? Not sure. I do believe in love. I don't have to see a picture of it demonstrated although it is a wonder to see isn't it? I can feel it in the core of my being. Wait......that is just like...God. I can see him/she/it in the lives and action of others. But written documentation and stool samples are so much more persuasive.

@WalterF The idea that not believing in God makes you lack morals is incorrect. Why would have no morals because you don't believe in God?

@newjaninev2 The concept of evidence plays a crucial role in determining the validity and reliability of certain claims or beliefs. In order to determine whether a given claim is true or false, it is important to consider the evidence that is presented to support it.

There are various types of evidence that can be used to support a claim, including empirical evidence, logical evidence, and testimonial evidence. Empirical evidence refers to evidence that is based on observations or experiments, and is often considered the most reliable type of evidence. Logical evidence refers to evidence that is based on reasoning or logical argument, and may be used to support or refute a claim. Testimonial evidence refers to evidence that is based on the testimony of others, and may include personal anecdotes or eyewitness accounts.

The acceptance or rejection of evidence can have significant consequences, as it can influence the way in which we view the world and make decisions. For example, if we accept evidence that supports a certain claim, we may be more likely to believe that the claim is true and act accordingly. On the other hand, if we reject evidence that supports a claim, we may be more likely to doubt the validity of the claim and question its validity.

In the case of the existence of gods, the question of whether or not to accept or reject evidence for their existence is a complex and controversial one. Some people may argue that the existence of gods cannot be proven or disproven using empirical or logical evidence, and therefore faith is necessary to believe in their existence. Others may argue that the lack of concrete evidence for the existence of gods renders belief in their existence irrational or unfounded.

Regardless of one's stance on the existence of gods, it is important to approach the question of evidence objectively and critically. This means examining the evidence that is presented to support or refute a claim and evaluating its reliability and validity. It also means being open to the possibility that our beliefs or assumptions may be incorrect, and being willing to revise them based on new or additional evidence.

In conclusion, the acceptance or rejection of evidence can have significant consequences, and it is important to approach the question of evidence objectively and critically in order to arrive at the most rational and informed conclusions. While faith may play a role in some belief systems, it is ultimately the evidence that supports or refutes a claim that determines its validity and reliability.

@EditaPaperCom In that case, go ahead and present some of this evidence. You must have some in order to know [i]"it's certainly possible to find"{/i] some. I mean real, independently verifiable, evidence, not just vague feelings and unverifiable claims of christian apologists.

@EditaPaperCom
Religions have a two-part task...

1. They need to demonstrate a compelling necessity to even postulate the existence of gods (otherwise we need not even formulate the idea, let alone entertain it)

2. When postulating gods, one of the requirements is that they be able to violate the physical laws of the universe (otherwise what use are they?). These violations therefore qualify as ‘magic’, but are called ‘miracles’.

The standard for such evidence of such magic was addressed by David Hume:
"No testimony is sufficient to establish a miracle, unless the testimony be of such a kind, that its falsehood would be more miraculous than the fact which it endeavors to establish"

@Diotrephes
One fish
Two fish
Red fish
Blue fish.
Black fish
Blue fish
Old fish
New fish.
Yesss, you are so correct. I just now found out about the letter J. Never had any reason until now, at the instigation of your insightful yet misinformed observation, to research the origin of the name Jesus. That is sarcasm by the way. You can look that up also if you like. Did you happen to read the listing for Josephus in "Wikipedia"? You didn't did you? But you already had the posting for the origins of the letter "J" up in a window and everything. Josephus is so much more interesting a read. Tsk..tsk. So close yet so far. I have faith in you.

@RuyLopez @RuyLopez A useful tool when reading supposedly "old" manuscripts is to verify the origin of certain words by using a site such as https://www.etymonline.com. So, when reading an old story and you come across a suspicious word, simply do a search on the site and it will reveal when the word was first used. If the story is supposedly from the sixth century but the word is from the 17th century it's a very good hint that the story has been revised or is a fake. Try it sometime.

@Diotrephes Thank you for that information. I had never heard of it before. I definitely will remember it. Take care.

@Sharon I’m aware of at least one person - you! And more seriously, lots of people do or have done, including some very famous philosophers. And while you are right that I don’t have to comment on such posts, I can’t ignore them if they are written by someone I follow. In theory I could block or mute you, but I don’t want to do that, because I like you and enjoy reading your posts and comments on other topics. And finally, you haven’t answered my question!

@MartinII Where have I, or anyone else, claimed there are heaps of evidence that there is no god? I've said there is no evidence that gods exist; I've even said the christian god is not possible and given the reason why, namely that it's contradictory. I don't recall ever saying there are heaps of evidence that the christian god doesn't exist and then refusing to present that evidence.

I don't leave it alone because I've seen some of the damage christianity does so I don't want to let it go unchallenged.

@Sharon “I’ve even said the christian god is not possible and given the reason why”. Well, that comes pretty close to claiming that there’s evidence, if not perhaps heaps of it. As to others, Dawkins is the most obvious example.

Personally, I have more experience of the good christianity can do, and prefer to focus on that (though as you know I am myself an atheist). Anyway, I propose to leave it at that.

@jshm2 They claim they have heaps of evidence. There is no reason for not presenting it, unless they're lying of course.

Seems you can't answer or even recognize a simple question, kiddo.

@Entwistle Fair enough, I accept there is some evidence of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

@Entwistle I agree. At least no one has ever managed to persent any, despite claiming there are heaps of it. 🤔

@Sharon The DNA of the spaghetti monster definitely exists...

@Entwistle I believe we are the conscience as well as the body. The Conscience is what many call “God” the spirit of Reason.

@Heavenlywarrior I would say that, in general, that which benefits the most people is right and that which causes harm is wrong.

@Sharon is it the conscience that causes us to be animated? Is our conscience connected to our breathe since when we die it leaves our bodies?

@UnderLockDown What argument? I just asked a simple question.

@SW-User I've never seen anyone do that, other than christians with their bible.

@Sharon Well, I'll start to take the weight off them. 👍

@Carissimi I agree so I don't understand why they keep claiming they have heaps of evidence but refuse to present even a single shred of it. I suspect they're lying.

@SW-User So a figment of one's imagination then.

@Sharon yes been so many years but Gibran once said something wise about it but can't remember..