Religion

DetlefK

(16,670 posts) Wed Jun 20, 2018, 05:04 AM Jun 2018

Stop playing word-games already. Atheists "believing" is not the same as theists "believing". [View all]

"I believe in the existence of God."

Translation: Regardless of evidence or lack of evidence, I make an assumption. And if I see evidence to the contrary, I will not change my assumption.

"I believe it will rain today."

Translation: There is evidence for or against this claim, but I don't have it, which is why I make an assumption. And if I see evidence to the contrary, I will change my assumption.

You see? Same word, two meanings.

So please stop with that humbug that an atheist not "believing" in God is the same as a theist "believing" in God.

An atheist does not believe in God because he demands evidence and doesn't receive it.
A theist's belief in God is not impacted by evidence of any kind whatsoever.

62 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Stop playing word-games already. Atheists "believing" is not the same as theists "believing". [View all] DetlefK Jun 2018 OP

Yes. Croney Jun 2018 #1

But equivocation is one of the apologist's most powerful rhetorical weapons. trotsky Jun 2018 #2

All apologetics rely on word games of some sort. Act_of_Reparation Jun 2018 #3

Or, more accurately: "Will it go 'round in circles?" MineralMan Jun 2018 #4

I'd argue this one is worse, though. Pope George Ringo II Jun 2018 #23

I am sure someone will find a quote somewhere edhopper Jun 2018 #5

It's a favorite straw man among the least honest believers. Pope George Ringo II Jun 2018 #6

What does believe mean? guillaumeb Jun 2018 #7

Not, it's not. Because the word has two meanings with two exclusionary premises. DetlefK Jun 2018 #8

Neither belief is provable. guillaumeb Jun 2018 #9

Why is neither belief provable? marylandblue Jun 2018 #12

Faith exists. guillaumeb Jun 2018 #14

Your opinion. marylandblue Jun 2018 #15

Of course. guillaumeb Jun 2018 #18

No one disputes that faith exists. marylandblue Jun 2018 #19

So you are saying god is non-existant? Lordquinton Jun 2018 #45

What a misunderstanding on your part. eom guillaumeb Jun 2018 #48

Oh, I misunderstood you? Lordquinton Jun 2018 #52

What I said: guillaumeb Jun 2018 #58

Are you misunderstanding me on purpose? DetlefK Jun 2018 #20

That poster is performing for an audience. Mariana Jun 2018 #24

And what audience are you playing for? eom guillaumeb Jun 2018 #49

The one that only exists in your imagination. nt. Mariana Jun 2018 #50

So insightful. guillaumeb Jun 2018 #51

Thanks! nt. Mariana Jun 2018 #53

Identical reasoning to those who equate the "theory" of creationism with evolution theory Major Nikon Jun 2018 #22

Know why it's a sticky wicket attempting to talk to you guys? sprinkleeninow Jun 2018 #25

Gee, thanks for that Major Nikon Jun 2018 #27

I do believe you're welcome. sprinkleeninow Jun 2018 #30

You veered off topic. guillaumeb Jun 2018 #36

False Major Nikon Jun 2018 #38

You can't prove that. Act_of_Reparation Jun 2018 #44

They are two different types of atheists, both don't believe it deities marylandblue Jun 2018 #10

One has a certain belief. guillaumeb Jun 2018 #11

So? They are different types of atheist marylandblue Jun 2018 #13

And each type, in the absence of proof, believes that their position is correct. eom guillaumeb Jun 2018 #16

Is there a type of person who believes they hold incorrect beliefs? marylandblue Jun 2018 #17

😘 sprinkleeninow Jun 2018 #26

:pals: marylandblue Jun 2018 #28

I believe.... sprinkleeninow Jun 2018 #29

So your emojicons are a real miracle! Can you do more? marylandblue Jun 2018 #31

They only manifest when I'm a behaving chick 🐤 or sprinkleeninow Jun 2018 #32

🤗😉I've performed a miracle! I am applying for sainthood.😇 marylandblue Jun 2018 #47

"A day late and a dollar short" is what I seem to be. sprinkleeninow Jun 2018 #55

My fat thumbs were accidently divinely guided to the emos on my phone keyboard marylandblue Jun 2018 #56

Not aware of your thumbs? 😊 sprinkleeninow Jun 2018 #57

You on my list, you lovey-duvvers. 😉 Buds! sprinkleeninow Jun 2018 #33

The difference is that they care about proof. Theistic believers do not. DetlefK Jun 2018 #21

No, they care about what they see as proof. guillaumeb Jun 2018 #37

Are you trying to redefine "proof"? What definition are you using? DetlefK Jun 2018 #40

You went right off the rails there. Voltaire2 Jun 2018 #34

Assumes he was ever on the rails Major Nikon Jun 2018 #39

explain to me qazplm135 Jun 2018 #59

One who says that there are no deities guillaumeb Jun 2018 #60

not remotely an answer to the question I asked qazplm135 Jun 2018 #61

At least you got a non-sequitur instead of a canned response Major Nikon Jun 2018 #62

There is no positive evidence that deities do not exist. DetlefK Jun 2018 #42

Don't ask me, I am not a hard atheist. marylandblue Jun 2018 #43

It's the same point. Igel Jun 2018 #35

That makes religious belief meaningless and pointless. DetlefK Jun 2018 #41

Is this your brother-in-law? trotsky Jun 2018 #46

I've said this before and pissed off a theist arguing like this TlalocW Jun 2018 #54