sidewinder

It is my opinion that the philosophical arguments for the existence of a god are worthless. Even if the arguments for the existence of a god are compelling, it proves nothing other than it's possible for a god (or gods)to exist. It does not prove the existence of any god.

Beyond these arguments, there is no evidence that any god exists. The Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and the Qur'an are each riddled with contradictions and absurdities, which actually do more to prove the case against the existence of their particular god.

All that can possibly be stated (depending on your opinion of the philosophical arguments)is that it's possible that a god or gods exist. The conclusion being that the existence of any god or gods cannot be proven or disproven.

Koyaanisqatsi

You've just stated the equivalent of: "the best that can be stated is, no one can prove that Luke Skywalker does or does not exist."

wordsmyth

That's interesting because I would say there is more evidence for the existence of Luke Skywalker than for any God.

Ron Singh

It is my opinion that the philosophical arguments for the non-existence of god are worthless. Even if the arguments for the non-existence of god are compelling, it proves nothing other than it's possible for a god (or gods) not to exist. It does not disprove the existence of any god.
I can not disprove the God of Sikhism.

All that can possibly be stated (depending on your opinion of the philosophical arguments)is that it's possible that a god or gods do not exist. The conclusion being that the existence of any god or gods cannot be proven or disproven.

~Your friendly neighborhood fifteen year old Sikh.

James AD

Don't give up hope sikh. It is possible to outgrow any of the monotheistic religions.

AJ113

Good day to you all. Having lurked for a month or so I now venture forth to make my first post.

I think that the proving or disproving needs to be done on a personal level. One man's "contradiction" is another man's "difficulty."

Ron Singh

I agree AJ, or one man's contradiction is the same man's misunderstanding.

Clutch

Sidewinder, a compelling argument for P proves that P -- assuming that by "compelling" you mean a sound argument with non-tendentious premises. If there is such an argument for the existence of a god, well, that would prove the existence of that god. What would show the mere possibility of a god's existence would be such an argument with the conclusion "It is possible that a god exists".

So maybe you just mean to state your belief that there are at best only the latter sort of arguments, and none of the former sort.

James AD

The biggest "difficulty" with "contradictions" in the bible, is that there are so many of them. People who claim they aren't there "misunderstand" the bible.

James AD

sidewinder,

What do you mean by "god". People used to consider the moon, sun and planets "gods". Mountaintops where sacred places, because they where physically closer to the "gods". Think of all the definitions and attributes of "god" including the non-personal and pantheistic ones. What would qualify something as being a "god"?

My daughter's cat seems to think he's a "god". I think he's an evil one, and he doesn't seem to mind me saying so in his presence. He seems to think it helps to keep me obedient to him.

I have seen women who are goddesses. I let my wife think that I believe she is one. I have my doubts, but the fertility rites are a lot of fun.

In all seriousness, how do you define the word? Aren't religions just glorified mythologies that apply human attributes to things that are not? Don't they give human consciousness to visible and invisible natural forces and events? Don't they use fables that play on people's anxieties and wishes? After we sift through all the symbolism, aren't we left standing around looking at each other?