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I posted this thread in a different message board, but given some recent threads, I thought it would be appropriate here, as well.
Now, I'm only speaking for myself, as I know many atheists have said that they are not aware of anything that could convince them a god exists, but I've thought about it and here's what would convince me:
Note that for the definition, any other terms that are not concretely defined or explained would also have to be defined or explained. For example: "God is a spirit". Well, what's a spirit and how can we determine whether or not something is a spirit? "God exists outside the universe." How do we know there is an "outside" to the universe and how could we know something is there?
I'm not claiming my criteria are perfect, and it's quite possible I have some error in my reasoning* so I certainly welcome reasoned corrections and/or additions.
And from the theists, I am curious if y'all think these criteria are reasonable, without pre-supposing the existence or possibility of the existence of any gods.
Now, I'm only speaking for myself, as I know many atheists have said that they are not aware of anything that could convince them a god exists, but I've thought about it and here's what would convince me:
- An objective definition of what a god would be, and what its properties would be, and a source and reason for that definition. (A description of a god already presumed to exist does not count.)
- A method of objectively verifying that a proposed god does exist in a meaningful way. (God is an idea, or God is Nature would not be meaningful, independent existence and certainly not subject to verification)
- A method of testing whether any proposed god matches the definition, and has the proposed properties.
Note that for the definition, any other terms that are not concretely defined or explained would also have to be defined or explained. For example: "God is a spirit". Well, what's a spirit and how can we determine whether or not something is a spirit? "God exists outside the universe." How do we know there is an "outside" to the universe and how could we know something is there?
I'm not claiming my criteria are perfect, and it's quite possible I have some error in my reasoning* so I certainly welcome reasoned corrections and/or additions.
And from the theists, I am curious if y'all think these criteria are reasonable, without pre-supposing the existence or possibility of the existence of any gods.