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God has to prove to me that He exists: what kind of proof should I demand?

A Vestigial Mote

Well-Known Member
I've contemplated this myself, usually when asked directly by theists: "Well, if you don't believe, then what kind of evidence would convince you?"

And in the end, I have to go with the somewhat "cop out" answer along the lines of "I don't know, but I would probably know it when I saw/read/head/experienced it."

I would also caveat stating that it isn't the passive receiver who needs to come up with the form of evidence that would "work." That responsibility lays squarely on the shoulders of the person making the positive claim that "God exists."

In your case, however, where you likely believe, or want to believe, and are thinking of asking God Himself for evidence - well... that's a doozy. For one, it's stated all the time that "God doesn't do requests." - which I've always seen as a kind of way of absolving God from any responsibility of actually "showing up" - since it is very much expected that He won't, even by believers. So, even if nothing happens - was that just God deciding not to play puppet for you? Or do you conclude that God doesn't exist because He didn't show?

I think that a lot of times, when people ask for "a sign," they are keeping it vague enough that they can confirm just about anything that seems like a positive happenstance as the "sign" they were looking for. In this way, they can confirm their biases without the hard rejection that would come with asking God for something specific, grand or extraordinary and having nothing like that happen.
 

Quintessence

Consults with Trees
Staff member
Premium Member
A few questions that need answering first:
  • When you say "exists," what precisely do you mean? This is not an uncomplicated question, and there is an entire branch of philosophy dedicated to arguing about the nature of reality.
  • When you say "god," what types of gods do you mean? "God" can be literally anything, including some things that obviously exist even under more narrow definitions of "exist."
  • When you say "truth," what does that mean? There are divergent philosophies on what this means too.
It's already been asked "why does this matter?" which is another very important question. To that, you say you have had questions you can't answer. What's wrong with not having an answer? Or having answers (plural)?
 

Zita

Solitary Eclectic Witch
Well my opinion is that "God" is different to different people, I feel that God is the creating spirit of me and we are one,my higher power!!and my higher self, he created each one of us different ,so we experience his presence uniquely ,so existence of God is to me my inner spirit of just knowing and feeling the power through me, I don't need to ask him to prove himself.
 

Shantanu

Well-Known Member
I've contemplated this myself, usually when asked directly by theists: "Well, if you don't believe, then what kind of evidence would convince you?"

And in the end, I have to go with the somewhat "cop out" answer along the lines of "I don't know, but I would probably know it when I saw/read/head/experienced it."

I would also caveat stating that it isn't the passive receiver who needs to come up with the form of evidence that would "work." That responsibility lays squarely on the shoulders of the person making the positive claim that "God exists."

In your case, however, where you likely believe, or want to believe, and are thinking of asking God Himself for evidence - well... that's a doozy. For one, it's stated all the time that "God doesn't do requests." - which I've always seen as a kind of way of absolving God from any responsibility of actually "showing up" - since it is very much expected that He won't, even by believers. So, even if nothing happens - was that just God deciding not to play puppet for you? Or do you conclude that God doesn't exist because He didn't show?

I think that a lot of times, when people ask for "a sign," they are keeping it vague enough that they can confirm just about anything that seems like a positive happenstance as the "sign" they were looking for. In this way, they can confirm their biases without the hard rejection that would come with asking God for something specific, grand or extraordinary and having nothing like that happen.
If God does exist and yet will not confirm it should one go about ones business not worrying about what He makes of our lives and then who is to judge whether we are right or wrong in what we do?
 

Shantanu

Well-Known Member
Well my opinion is that "God" is different to different people, I feel that God is the creating spirit of me and we are one,my higher power!!and my higher self, he created each one of us different ,so we experience his presence uniquely ,so existence of God is to me my inner spirit of just knowing and feeling the power through me, I don't need to ask him to prove himself.
Thanks for your reply: you seem content to live thinking some Divine Power exists as a Spirit within you. I would be worried if I had the same feeling as to why there is this unwarranted invader into my body.
 

A Vestigial Mote

Well-Known Member
If God does exist and yet will not confirm it should one go about ones business not worrying about what He makes of our lives and then who is to judge whether we are right or wrong in what we do?
Well, my (very strong) belief is that we have each other to answer to.
 

Cleary

God is sovereign and in control <><
God has to prove to me that He exists: what kind of proof should I demand?

God has already proven himself ... you either see or you refuse to see


For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness .. because that which is known about God is evident within them .. for God made it evident to them .. for since the creation of the world his invisible attributes .. his eternal power and divine nature .. have been clearly seen .. being understood through what has been made .. so that they are without excuse ...... Romans 1:18-20

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for .. the conviction of things not seen .. for by it the men of old gained approval .. by faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God .. so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible ...... Hebrews 11:1-3

 
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Jedster

Well-Known Member
My search for the truth about Existence has come to this question?

Any ideas?
If you had never heard of 'God' or had embraced a concept of God, you would still exist.
Existence is self evident. God is not.
So don't worry about it.
 
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