Rational Agnostic
Well-Known Member
In my experience many theists (particularly Christians and Muslims) like to tell atheists and agnostics that they know "in their heart" that God exists, but are suppressing the truth in their own "unrighteousness." I have even heard many apologists question whether the individuals that they are debating are "true atheists" and state that if they were "true atheists" they would not be wasting their time debating with theists. I would like to turn this type of behavior around to the other side. I am convinced that the vast majority of people who profess absolute certainty in the existence of a deity, as well as an afterlife of heaven or hell, do not actually believe what they profess to believe, or at least are far from certain about the existence of their deity and the eternal destinations of those who believe in it or disbelieve in it.
Think about it this way: How would one logically expect an individual to conduct his/her life if he/she were 100% certain of the existence of an invisible cosmic overlord who watches everything he/she does? Would one not be considerably more self-conscious, and careful not to slip up in life? Also, how would it feel to truly believe with 100% certainty that someone is always watching you and keeping a careful log of your behavior in the bathroom, shower, and bedroom? Yet the vast majority of theists probably are not self-conscious everytime they are going to the bathroom or engaging in private activities? Why? Aren't you 100% certain that an entity is watching you? If I were 100% certain an all-powerful cosmic entity was observing my every move, I would certainly be more careful in how I conduct my life. Also, if you believe that individuals who do not believe that an invisible, all-powerful creature is watching from above are destined to be sent to a fiery hell, would you not be more enthusiastic about sharing your beliefs with all unbelievers? Yet, the vast majority of professing "theists" never share their faith.
So, overall, how does one reconcile the professed beliefs of theists (absolute certainty in the existence of an invisible emperor that observes everyone's behavior at all times) and the fact that very few theists actually conduct their lives as if someone is always watching them?
Think about it this way: How would one logically expect an individual to conduct his/her life if he/she were 100% certain of the existence of an invisible cosmic overlord who watches everything he/she does? Would one not be considerably more self-conscious, and careful not to slip up in life? Also, how would it feel to truly believe with 100% certainty that someone is always watching you and keeping a careful log of your behavior in the bathroom, shower, and bedroom? Yet the vast majority of theists probably are not self-conscious everytime they are going to the bathroom or engaging in private activities? Why? Aren't you 100% certain that an entity is watching you? If I were 100% certain an all-powerful cosmic entity was observing my every move, I would certainly be more careful in how I conduct my life. Also, if you believe that individuals who do not believe that an invisible, all-powerful creature is watching from above are destined to be sent to a fiery hell, would you not be more enthusiastic about sharing your beliefs with all unbelievers? Yet, the vast majority of professing "theists" never share their faith.
So, overall, how does one reconcile the professed beliefs of theists (absolute certainty in the existence of an invisible emperor that observes everyone's behavior at all times) and the fact that very few theists actually conduct their lives as if someone is always watching them?