People aren't theists because they know, or think they know how we got here. People are theist despite that.
So you think the issue of what is the initial cause, the question of how it is that we are here, is not the reason why people believe in God, otherwise understood to be the First Cause?
You think that people are ignorant of God being the First cause when they believe in God, and are then somehow surprised by the added benefit of that revelation? Do me a favour, Jan.
It is the same with atheists. They do not need to know how we got here, to be an atheist. People are atheist despite that.
Sure. People don't need to know. I don't know and I am atheist. But you asked "what does one do to not believe in God?" I gave you an example of what one can do to not believe in God. One can ask that question and come to an honest, non circular referenced answer etc.
The question I asked purely pertains to the act of believing there is no God, outside of rejection, and denial.
You are being dishonest, Jan. And you are showing that, once again, you are failing to understand atheism. You asked "what does one do to not believe in God?", not "what does one do to believe there is no God?"
After all these years on this forum, Jan, surely you recognise the difference by now?
What would a purely atheist world be like?
That is a very different question again.
Are you asking what our world would look like if there had never been belief in God?
IOW deciding for yourself that you do not need belief in God to live your life.
No, I said "recognise", not "decide". If I had meant decide I would have used that word.
If you recognise a word as "house" do you decide it is "house"? Or do you simply recognise what is already there?
But how do you decide there is no God, without denying and rejecting, theism, and it's goal?
Who is deciding that there is no God? Your strawman atheist, perchance?
If you're intending to continue this discussion, Jan, leave the strawman at home and respond to the words written, please.
You'll no doubt say that lack of evidence, not rejection, and denial, lies at the heart of this decision
There's no decision, Jan. Please stop with the notion of it being a decision.
And at its heart is simple honesty about what one knows without circularity of reason.
But how can you determine what is evidence of God, if you reject, and deny, God within yourself, and your ability to determine what is true, and what is false?
strawman, Jan. I haven't mentioned it having anything about evidence.
God either Is, or is not. There is no in between, or waiting to see how it turns.
Sure, but there is no necessity to have belief either way. Why do you think there is?
If however one perceives that to be the case, it has to be concluded that there is no God, as far as they are aware. Even if they don't see it like that.
You can see it how you like, Jan. I can only speak for myself. And for myself it is not possible to say whether I am aware of God or not. If God is then I am aware of God because God IS, and everything is evidence of God. If God IS NOT then there is nothing t be aware of. Such is the way of circularity. Remove that and all you have left is "I don't know". But because you believe, you can only see it one way. You are blinkered by that.
If one relies on science, and philosophy, in order to decide God is acceptable, then there is no God, as far as they are aware.
Because if we assume that one is trying to base evidence on the theistic claim that there is a God, then one must also experience God the same way the theist say he/does.
The theist does not base their theism on science and philosophy, yet the atheist wants to do just that. Then we are in a situation where the atheist has just rejected, and denied God, without even knowing, or even meaning to.
So you believe, at least, and no doubt your strawman will support your argument. When you want to discuss without recourse to the strawman, let me know.
No. My belief is in God.
I accept that God Is.
You don't. That is the difference between us. And that's what makes us theist, or atheist.
seriously? You're now going to start denying you have belief that God IS?
Seriously??
So what is a prerequisite for not believing in God?
Why do you think there is one?
So you're saying it is possible to be an atheist, but not think there is no God?
Can you elaborate on that?
Is this for the purpose of this thread, or are you openly admitting that after many years you are still oblivious to the atheism being simply the lack of belief in God?
Do you really need it explained to you yet again the difference between strong and weak atheism? Yes, I know your strawman is a strong atheist, but countless years people have explained the weak atheist position to you, and here you are openly admitting you are oblivious to it?
