What proof would be sufficient for Atheists to believe in and adoringly worship God?
Atheists state there is no proof of God, therefore they have no reason to believe in a God. What would be sufficient proof? Would the proof be convincing to all? Would the proof have to be perpetual so future people would believe? Would the proof be convincing enough to make people sincerely love God? Please explain.
To borrow from Ebon’s musings, (who words it much better than I) some things that could convince me that there is a God:
1) Verified, specific prophecies that couldn’t have been contrived. So-called prophesies that are vague, unclear or garbled don’t count. They must be detailed, specific and unambiguous in their prediction and wording. It can’t be for something trivial, or be something that is self-fulfilling. It has to be verifiable, and the writing of the prophesy HAS to be proven to have preceded the event.
2) Scientific knowledge in holy books that wasn’t available at the time. That means a piece of knowledge that the people of the time couldn’t possibly have known but that is now known to be true. What if Jesus had said something like this?
“Verily, I say unto thee that thine energy is as thine mass times the speed of light multiplied unto itself.” Of course people of the time would have been baffled, but just imagine how convincing it would be to atheists today.
3) Miraculous occurrences, especially if brought about through prayer. Ex: If a hospital did a double-blind study to determine if intercessory prayer helps the sick, and it was discovered that ONLY the patients prayed for by members of a certain religion experienced a dramatic, statistically significant increase in recovery rate, and this result could be repeated and confirmed, I would convert. A lone success after a thousand failures does not count, no matter how miraculous it seems.
4) Any direct manifestation of the divine.
I’ll be happy to believe in God if he tells me to in person, as long as he does it in such a way that I could be sure that it was not a hallucination (for example, in the presence of multiple reliable witnesses, none of which are in a highly emotional or otherwise altered state).
Those are some examples of things that could help convince me. Things that do NOT convince me are things like:
1) Speaking in tongues or other pseudo-miracles.
2) People’s conversion stories.
3) Any subjective experience. (“I feel him in my heart”)
4) Quoting scripture.
5) The Bible Code or similar numerological feats
6) Any form of Pascal’s wager. (“What have you got to lose?”)
7) Creationism of any sort
Threats of punishment for non-belief.
9) Offers of reward for belief.
10) Insults. (“A fool says in his heart ‘there is no God’ “)
11) Lying (ex: telling the “atheist professor vs student” stories, saying things like “there are no atheists in foxholes/all atheists convert on their deathbeds”, etc.)
Despite what the theists on here like to say in response to this question, (“Nothing could convince them”, “they’re just not looking”, etc.) we could be convinced. The problem is, we have not been SHOWN any evidence. It’s incredibly arrogant to state that “nothing could convince them” when you haven’t coughed up a single scrap of evidence in thousands of years! (That doesn’t meet the types of nonsense that I list on the “things that don’t convince me” list.) It’s not as if they’ve been showing us clear and unmistakable evidence all along, and we’ve been ignoring it. Us rejecting YOUR b/s “evidence” does not mean that we can not BE convinced. ANY theist could ask themselves, “what would convince me that ZEUS was real?”, and they would come up with the exact same sort of criteria that WE require to believe in “God”, and they would reject the exact same things that WE reject as “evidence”.
|
|
1967 CANADA PROOF-LIKE 6 COIN SET $41.00 |
|
|
Water Proof Cast Protector Full Leg Child $5.50 |
|
|
1968 CANADA PROOF-LIKE 6 COIN SETS (TWO SETS) $6.99 |
|
|
1968-S Proof set $5.07 |
|
|
2009 S Proof US Territories Quarter Set PR70 DCAM $240.00 |
|
|
FENTON Burmese CAMEO Art Glass CARVED “SUNSET SAIL” Designer PROOF VASE $552.50 |
|
|
1962 Topps Civil War News Color Separation Proofs #61 $1,000.00 |
|
|
2005 & 2006 Silver Proof Sets $129.00 |
|
|
1964 Silver proof Set-90% Silver Half, Quarter & Dime-Pristine Coins $26.99 |
|
|
1984 22kt Gold Proof Canadian Coin ORIGINAL PACKAGING $1,200.00 |
|
|
Lot of 3 2007 Silver 10 Coin Proof Sets $199.00 |
|
|
FENTON Blue SLAG CAMEO Art Glass CARVED “A Day at the POND” Artist PROOF VASE $1,020.00 |
|
|
Water Proof Cast Protector Half Leg Child $5.50 |
|
|
NEWFOUNDLAND POSTAGE METER PROOF FROM IMPERIAL OIL LIMITED $61.66 |
|
|
Life proof iphone 4/4s phone case $72.00 |
|
|
1979-S,1988-S,1989-S,1994-S & 1995-S Wash.Quarter Clad Proofs – From Proof Sets $7.50 |
|
|
1974-75 Topps Basketball PROOF SET Ed Ratleff Rockets $500.00 |
|
|
WILL FERRELL SIGNED 8X10 PHOTO RON BURGUNDY ANCHORMAN PROOF AUTOGRAPHED $99.99 |
|
|
1984 22kt Gold Proof Canadian Coin ORIGINAL PACKAGING $1,200.00 |
|
|
Water Proof Cast Protector Half Leg Adult $5.50 |
|
|
2004 S DCAM PROOF PEACE & KEELBOAT NICKEL ROLLS (80) $149.99 |
|
|
1962 Topps Civil War News Proof Card Set #4 $1,000.00 |
|
|
1983 & 1984 6 coin US OLYMPIC SET PROOF & BU; WOOD CASE AND BOX $1,625.00 |
|
|
RARE NAOMI THE JUDDS Portrait COLOR PHOTO proof $19.99 |
|
|
1979-S (type 1),1988-S & 1989-S Kennedy Half Clad Proofs – From Proof Sets $3.50 |
|
|
KRIS KRISTOFFERSON HAND SIGNED 11X14 PHOTOGRAPH PROOF A $150.00 |
|
|
1962 Topps Civil War News Proof Card Set #82 $1,000.00 |
|
|
2010 UNITED STATES MINT AMERICA THE BEAUTIFULL QUARTERS SILVER PROOF SET $39.99 |
|
|
CAW THE CROW BEANIE BABIES CARD – ARTIST’S PROOF – 1999 $2.99 |
|
|
Snow-Proof Waterproofing – Leather Goods of all Kinds – Livonia, N.Y. $5.99 |
|
|
1992-S LINCOLN CENT PCGS CERTIFIED PROOF 69 DEEP CAMEO! $9.99 |
|
|
1964 LINCOLN CENT CERTIFIED PROOF 69 CAMEO APPEARS FLAWLESS! $22.50 |
|
|
1976-S DIME CERTIFIED BY PCGS AS PROOF 69 DEEP CAMEO! $9.99 |
|
|
1974-S WASHINGTON QUARTER PCGS CERTIFIED PROOF 69 DEEP CAMEO! $9.99 |
|
|
RARE 2000 Vietnam 10K Dong Dragon Proof Coin NGC PF69 $399.00 |
|
|
KRIS KRISTOFFERSON HAND SIGNED 11X14 PHOTOGRAPH PROOF B $150.00 |
|
|
1974-75 Topps Basketball PROOF SET Van Arsdale 76ers $500.00 |
|
|
1912 PROOF “DEATH OF MAKOR PITCAIRN” 1775 $29.96 |
|
|
FINLAND 2009 2 EURO COMMEMORATIVE 200TH AUTONOMY PROOF $27.99 |
|
|
KRIS KRISTOFFERSON HAND SIGNED 11X14 PHOTOGRAPH PROOF C $150.00 |
|
|
Lot of 50 2001-S Proof Cameo Sacagawea Dollars $499.00 |
|
|
2007 S Clad Proof State Quarter Set PF70 Ultra $200.00 |
|
|
2008 CLAD U.S. PROOF SET 5 COINS lincoln kennedy dime++ $24.99 |
|
|
BISMARCK N.D. CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL – SOLID STERLING SILVER / PROOF $25.95 |
|
|
Rio Ferdinand, Manchester Utd, England, signed 10×8 photo. COA. Proof. $20.46 |
|
|
Harley Davidson 1.4 oz .999 Proof Silver Ingot Bar 1903 First Harley-Davidson $63.95 |
|
|
1974-75 Topps Basketball PROOF SET Leroy Ellis 76ers $500.00 |
|
|
1912 PROOF “BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL” 1775 $29.96 |
|
|
Hank Williams Jr 45 Living Proof / Brothers Of The Road $6.00 |
|
|
2009 US Mint Proof Set w/box and Certificate of Authenticity $29.99 |
|
|
1964 Jefferson Nickel Proof- Beautiful Cameo Appears to be Flawless $17.99 |
|
|
“HOMESTEAD” STOP-A-SQUIRREL BIRD FEEDER Squirrel Proof $49.99 |
|
|
DERBY THE HORSE BEANIE BABIES CARD- ARTIST’S PROOF 1999 $2.99 |
|
|
CASIO C711 G ZONE BOULDER VERIZON WATER SHOCK PROOF $15.09 |
|
|
COLIN BELL IN MANCHESTER CITY SHIRT SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH MOUNT COA PROOF MAN C $55.22 |
|
|
1974-75 Topps Basketball PROOF SET Howard Porter Knicks $500.00 |
|
|
1967 Haiti 20 Gourdes Gold Coin Proof Francois Mackandal Limited Ed/Certificate $225.00 |
|
|
1987 US PROOF Set w/ Original Case & Box w/ 5 coins $9.99 |
|
|
1982 US PROOF Set w/ Original Black Box 5 coins + Token $12.99 |
|
|
1979 United States Mint Proof Set – Susan B Anthony $9.99 |
|
|
1958-P United States Proof Set, 5 Coins, Uncirculated $29.99 |
|
|
2008 PROOF £2 COIN FROM A ROYAL MINT PROOF SET. $11.06 |
|
|
BILL NIGHY SIGNED RARE DAVY JONES 8X10 PHOTO + PROOF $55.00 |
|
|
CASIO C711 G ZONE BOULDER VERIZON WATER SHOCK PROOF $25.00 |
|
|
1969-S Proof Jefferson Nickel ~ FREE SHIPPING! ~ $0.99 |
|
|
1912 PROOF “THE BIVOUAC AT MONMOUTH” 1778 $29.96 |
|
|
1974-75 Topps Basketball PROOF SET Norwood Pistons $500.00 |
|
|
WATER PROOF 10 Watt SOLAR Battery Tender Charger Maintainer Car/RV/Auto DELTRAN $89.95 |
|
|
Savatage – Handful Of Rain CD 1994 [UK] Bullet Proof $18.99 |
|
|
The War Against Cliche: Essays and Reviews 1971-2000 Martin Amis ARC PROOF $45.00 |
|
|
★ 2012 ★ 1 OZ KRUGERRAND GOLD SA GEM COPY PROOF SOUTH AFRICA COIN ★ $5.95 |
|
|
2009 S DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA STATE QUARTER PROOF SILVER from set $12.00 |
|
|
WOMENS LONG BROWN BEIGE PUMA BOOTS WINTER WATER PROOF 9 8.5 WINTER COMFY FLATS $55.00 |
|
|
ROBERT HOPPE – ROOFTOP SERENADE – ARTIST PROOF $2,300.00 |
|
|
Patio Umbrella Cover – Reversable Weather Proof Tarp $8.48 |
|
|
Harley Davidson 1.4 oz .999 Proof Silver Ingot Bar 1913 5-35 Single $63.95 |
|
|
1974-75 Topps Basketball PROOF SET Jimmy Walker Knicks $500.00 |
|
|
1994 SILVER U.S.VETERANS COMMEMORATIVE COIN-”Woman In Military Service”COA-PROOF $79.95 |
|
|
FENTON Amethyst CAMEO Art Glass CARVED “Climbing” Designer PROOF VASE $760.75 |
|
|
GOVERNOR ARCH A. MOORE INAUGURAL MEDAL – SOLID STERLING SILVER / PROOF / SCI-101 $25.95 |
|
|
1967 Topps Wacky Packages Die-Cuts Proof Cover Ghoul $950.00 |
|
|
DAWSON & DUNCAN CAST SIGNED SIN CITY 8X10 PHOTO PROOF $125.00 |
|
|
BILLY BOYD SIGNED AUTO 8X10 PHOTO PROOF LORD RINGS B $45.00 |
|
|
1984 Canada Proof Silver Dollar $18.00 |
|
|
1912 PROOF “BATTLE OF MONMOUTH” 1776 $29.96 |
|
|
TYLER MYERS SIGNED BUFFALO SABRES 8X10 PHOTO PROOF 2 $14.99 |
|
|
1984 S Kennedy Half Dollar PF Proof Lot 255 $7.00 |
|
|
Braddock/Vetex Weather Proof Heavy Coat/Jacket w/Liner & w/Hood New w/tags $150.00 |
|
|
1883 Morgan Silver Dollar + “PROOF” + SUPER NR MINT GEM PROOF + Free Shipping $495.00 |
|
|
PCGS PROOF GRADED 1974 S WASHINGTON QUARTER PR69DCAM $29.95 |
|
|
1984 S Kennedy Half Dollar PF Proof Lot 254 $7.00 |
|
|
1988 PROOF SET INCASE (S)50C.25C 10C5C1C $8.99 |
|
|
1974-75 Topps Basketball PROOF SET Jack Marin Braves $500.00 |
|
|
1967 Topps Captain Nice Test Issue B&W Proof Card #1A $875.00 |
|
|
1984 S Kennedy Half Dollar PF Proof Lot 253 $7.00 |
|
|
1983 Canada Silver Proof Dollar $18.00 |
|
|
HULK HOGAN SIGNED ROCKY 3 THUNDERLIPS 8X10 PHOTO +PROOF $100.00 |
|
|
1966 Washington Quarter Proof-like $5.00 |
|
|
1990 PROOF SET INCASE (S)50C.25C 10C5C1C $8.99 |
|
|
1984 S Kennedy Half Dollar PF Proof Lot 250 $7.00 |