Reviewing Atheist 'Lack Belief' in Deities theory. <<MOD WARNING ISSUED>>

Discussion in 'Religion & Philosophy' started by Kokomojojo, Oct 8, 2017.

  1. Kokomojojo

    Kokomojojo Well-Known Member

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    <<MODERATOR'S WARNING>>
    A moderator's warning was issued for this thread for excessive flamebaiting, harassment, baiting and taunting, and insults. Any further infractions of any rule in this thread will result in a thread ban and infractions will be given out as if a poster has already received a formal warning.



    I can t find any reason behind the atheists claim where they claim they simply lack belief. There is no discernible logic or structured reasoning can be legitimately applied or attached to it according to hoyle, so maybe the board atheists can help out by detailing their core reasoning and logic and explain this to theists so we can all understand in a word what they are really talking about?




    "Lack of belief" analysis outline

    1. What does "lack belief in God" mean?
      1. "Lack" means deficiency or absence. "Belief" means acceptance and conviction that something is true or valid.
        1. Therefore, lack of belief would basically mean an absence of belief that something is true. But even the meaning of "absence of belief" is debatable.
          Someone can say, "I have absence of belief in screaming blue ants," but it is a meaningless statement. So? You lack belief in screaming blue ants. What about it?
      2. If "lack of belief" is complete ignorance about something, then it is a state of non-awareness about it.
        1. This would mean that it is not a purposeful, chosen neutrality about something since this is an intellectual categorization which implies awareness of a concept or thing--even if the category is called neutrality.

        2. We lack belief in concepts we are not aware of, and we categorize/assess concepts we are aware of.
      3. If "lack of belief" means that a person chooses not to make an intellectual commitment to a position but to remain intellectually neutral regarding belief or disbelief, that would be more logical.
        1. However, complete neutrality about a concept is impossible since all concepts have an effect upon the hearer and illicit a response whether it be emotional and/or intellectual.

        2. Once you have been exposed to a concept, you categorize it as:
          1. True, False, Ridiculous, Unsure, etc., but you do not return to a complete mental neutrality or state of ignorance.
        3. We do not "lack belief" in invisible pink unicorns. That is, we do not hold a mentally neutral position about the concept. We make a decision to categorize it as:

        4. True, False, Ridiculous, Unsure, etc., based upon our scope of knowledge and experience.

        5. To the extent that this categorization occurs, belief or disbelief is associated with it.
          1. If True, then positive belief is applied.
          2. If False, then disbelief (the positive belief that it is false) is applied.
          3. If Ridiculous, then disbelief (the positive belief that it is false) is applied.
          4. If Unsure, then belief and disbelief are pending with either as the outcome.
            1. This is because we realize that belief in the concept (acceptance) is possible as also is disbelief (rejection)--depending on further information and analysis.

            2. Being unsure about something is as close to "lack of belief" as one can logically get, but even this is a categorization with pending commitment to belief or disbelief.
    2. Actions reflect belief
      1. We act based upon what we do believe--not upon what we do not believe. In other words, I do something because I believe something--not because I don't believe something. If I don't believe my house is on fire, then I don't do anything; but if believe it is, I get out.
        1. In other words, if I believe my house is not on fire, then I don't need to get up and get out. It is not lack of belief that moves us but belief.
      2. I lack belief in concepts I am unaware of. Therefore, I do not and cannot act based upon them since I am unaware of them.

      3. I can only act or not act based upon concepts I am aware of.
        1. If I believe there are invisible pink unicorns, I would act accordingly and either defend their existence or behave in a manner consistent with the belief that they exist.

        2. If I believe there are no such things as invisible pink unicorns, I may or may not defend my position depending on the circumstances. But, I do not promote their non-existence since it is not necessary to do so any more than it is necessary to promote the assertion that there is no ice cream factory on Jupiter.

        3. If I believe that the existence of invisible pink unicorns is ridiculous, I may or may not assert that it is ridiculous; but I have categorized them and believe they do not exist.
        4. If I am unsure about the existence of invisible pink unicorns, I would wait for further information before making my decision. In this, I would be agnostic about their existence.
      4. If an atheist says he (or she) lacks belief in God yet actively seeks to undermine theistic proofs and promote atheistic principles, then we must conclude that his actions are consistent with his beliefs; namely, that he actively believes God does not exist.
        1. Furthermore, if the atheist is actively promoting the non-existence of God yet says he lacks belief in God, then his words and actions are inconsistent. [Delusional]
      5. Atheists, who say they lack belief in God or disbelieve in God yet actively attack theistic proofs and seek to promote atheism, are acting according to their beliefs--not their non-beliefs or their "lack of belief." It is more consistent to say that the atheist who supports and promotes the idea that there is no God but attacks theistic evidences must believe there is no God. Otherwise, he is behaving without a reason, which is not logical.
    3. To say you believe there is no God has problems
      1. To say "I believe there is no God" is a conscious choice. Then, on what would the atheist be basing his belief that there is no God: evidence, lack of evidence, logic, faith, or a combination of all?
        1. If evidence, then what positive evidence is there that disproves God's existence?

        2. If lack of evidence, then it means he has not yet seen all evidence, and there might be sufficient evidence to demonstrate God's existence. This would mean that God may indeed exist; and the person is really an agnostic concerning God, so his atheist position is inconsistent with his statement.

        3. If logic, then what logical proof do you have that negates God's existence?
          1. At best, logic can only disprove theistic proofs. Disproving theistic proofs does not mean there is no God. It only means that the proofs thus presented are insufficient.

          2. Logic can only disprove theistic proofs that are presented, and negating such proofs is not a refutation of all possible proofs since no one can know or present all possible proofs of God's existence. Therefore, negation of proofs does not disprove God's existence.

          3. If there were a logical argument that proved God did not exist, it either has not yet been made known, or it doesn't exist. If it were known, then it would be in use by atheists. But since no proof of God's non-existence has been successfully defended by atheists, we can conclude that thus far, there are no logical proofs for God's non-existence.
        4. If faith alone, then the position is not held by logic or evidence and is an arbitrary position.

        5. If by a combination of evidence, logic and/or faith, then according to the above analysis, neither is sufficient to validate atheism. A combination of insufficient means does not validate atheism.
        For someone to believe there is no God is to hold that belief by faith since there is no evidence that positively supports atheism, and there are no logical proofs that God does not exist. ~Matt Slick




        Since 'lack of belief' is constantly thrown in the faces of theists as a sound and reasonable argument which I reject I think its time to get to the bottom it and see if it really makes as much sense as atheists want us to believe,

        I am not convinced.

        I say it has no foundation what so ever. The above article does a good job pointing out the plethora foibles of the atheist lack of belief unsupported opinions.

        Maybe atheists want to stand up to the plate to defend their lack of belief theory, I believe this has now been put to rest, the lack belief theory is unreasonable, illogical, and in a word bogus.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 13, 2018
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  2. William Rea

    William Rea Well-Known Member

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    The really interesting questions about all this are why it is so important to you to tell atheists what positions they hold rather than listen to what they say and, how many more threads are you going to start or infect with this nonsense in order to avoid admitting to yourself that you are just plain wrong?

    Note - copying and pasting directly from CARM, a conservative creationist evangelical Christian site completely undermines your position. Matt Slick is a moron.
     
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2017
  3. Kokomojojo

    Kokomojojo Well-Known Member

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    He makes both a logical, reasonable and easily understandable case, feel free to copy and paste from Dawkins if you wish, or any other atheist promoter that can support your theories since no atheist to date has done so on this board.

    If atheists base their theories in easily provable fallacies then I believe its in their best interest and everyone elses to to help them back to reality. I guess a community service of sorts.

    What do atheists believe? That would be a great side note to add to this thread, feel free to elaborate what atheists believe for us that they are being told not to believe?

    Moron? Seriously?

    Well here is your chance to slap his proofs down!

    Go for it, because he really hammered the atheists 'lack of belief' theory to bits.
     
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2017
  4. FreshAir

    FreshAir Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Theist believe in God(s)
    Atheist do not believe in God(s)

    pretty simple really

    think of all the God(s) you do not believe in... then you have your answer
     
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2017
  5. William Rea

    William Rea Well-Known Member

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    Why would I want to quote from Dawkins or anyone else? They have no authority for me, I don't need to appeal to their perceived authority.

    I lack belief.

    Do you stand by Matt Slick as an authority on this matter? Yes or No?
     
  6. FreshAir

    FreshAir Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Atheists believe many things just as Theists believe many things

    you don't believe all the things other theists believe do you?
     
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2017
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  7. Kokomojojo

    Kokomojojo Well-Known Member

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    great then it should be very easy for you to refute and counter every one of Matts proofs.

    We shall see if he is an authority on the matter after you get cracking countering his proofs wont we.
     
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2017
  8. Kokomojojo

    Kokomojojo Well-Known Member

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    and what things might that be? That no God exists? We know that one already.
     
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2017
  9. FreshAir

    FreshAir Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    some are Buddhists as an example....

    just as there are many Theistic beliefs, there are many Atheistic beliefs

    why do you not believe in the God(s) you do not believe in, can you give us some examples why you do not believe in those God(s)

    I mean your a Theists right, shouldn't you believe like all other Theists? isn't that the logic your using for Atheists?
     
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2017
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  10. William Rea

    William Rea Well-Known Member

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    So, you are not standing by what Matt says on the subject of atheism and lacking belief as being authoritative?

    Just so you know, I don't argue links and copy and pastes. If you can't make your case for yourself, you are not worth the discussion.
     
  11. Kokomojojo

    Kokomojojo Well-Known Member

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    are you asking me why theists lack belief God does not exist?

    I can make it simple, most theists believe in the 10 commandments for instance.

    Got any counter proofs to support lack of belief yet?
     
  12. FreshAir

    FreshAir Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    many theists do not believe in the ten commandments, not all theists belong to your religion or believe in the same God(s)

    why do you not believe in the other God(s), I am sure you can think of some reasons why you lack belief in those God(s), let's hear them.....

    you only disbelieve in one less God then Atheists do
     
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2017
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  13. Kokomojojo

    Kokomojojo Well-Known Member

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    I said that remains to be seen since you claim to be your own authority everyone is waiting for your counterclaims.

    Ah well thats ok if you concede but I really expected at least one counterclaims to prove Matt is a moron as you said. Not even one counter claim for us?
     
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2017
  14. Margot2

    Margot2 Banned

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    Do you usually copy other people's work?
     
  15. Kokomojojo

    Kokomojojo Well-Known Member

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    I never claimed all theists believed in the ten commandments, I said that as a starting point for what most theists believe, would you feel better if I said some theists?

    I never disclosed my position on God(s).
     
  16. William Rea

    William Rea Well-Known Member

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    It's simple enough, do you stand by what you posted or not? Do you stand by Matt Slick as an authority on this matter? Yes or No?
     
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  17. FreshAir

    FreshAir Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    I will take that as you don't want to answer why you disbelieve in God(s) ... thanks for playing

    I guess the alternative would be you believe in ALL God(s)
     
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  18. Kokomojojo

    Kokomojojo Well-Known Member

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    Nope but it sure saved me a **** of a lot of time working through all those proofs, thank you Matt.

    Do you have any on topic counterclaims or are you here to bitch about a very well proofed work proving 'lack of belief' is not only illogical but to hold that position is also unreasonable.
     
  19. Margot2

    Margot2 Banned

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    If you are going to use someone else's work, post a link.
     
  20. Kokomojojo

    Kokomojojo Well-Known Member

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    I neither believe nor disbelieve in deities, however for me to slide off that base I need evidence, do you have any evidence that dieties do not exist?
     
  21. Kokomojojo

    Kokomojojo Well-Known Member

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    I posted credits, google is your friend.

    So how you doing on countering the proofs, anything yet?

    I think William must have given up?
     
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  22. FreshAir

    FreshAir Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    I disbelieve in the mythical Santa too, same reasons as God(s), is it unreasonable to disbelieve in mythical Santa
     
  23. FreshAir

    FreshAir Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    if you do not believe in any God(s) then you are an Atheist by definition

    if you do believe in any God(s) then you are an Theist by definition

    if you believe God(s) might exist then you are an Agnostic by definition
     
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  24. William Rea

    William Rea Well-Known Member

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    So, you are not standing by what Matt says on the subject of atheism and lacking belief as being authoritative?

    Just so you know, I don't argue links and copy and pastes. If you can't make your case for yourself, you are not worth the discussion.

    It's a simple enough question.
     
  25. Kokomojojo

    Kokomojojo Well-Known Member

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    what reason is that? For instance Jesus was recorded in history by both religious and secular, santa is well understood to be fictional.

    please come up with something more fitting to justify your lack of belief. At least you are honest and straight up disbelieve instead of trying to pretend you are immune from justifying your belief that Deities do not exist.
     

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