What CAN make you believe in the existence of God ?

[Mock Turtle]

Good question.

I'll definitely answer this reversed question, once you answer OP question.

OK. Well it would have to be something rather different than what has eluded me so far - the words of others, the various writings, the claims of experiences leading to such, the apparent logic, what we see around us, life itself - all such could well be explained by suitable processes and time, and I'm suitably informed so as not to trust my own experiences, including any of my thoughts or feelings. So I'm not sure what might do the trick other than discovering some DNA sequence saying 'made by God' (like a stick of Blackpool rock), or some event that would put the question beyond doubt, and that could not be explained in any other way. But I doubt this is going to happen.

 

[Secret Chief]

Indeed he does. In Islam it is taught that disbelieving people cover what they know to be the truth. The word kafir comes from the word to cover.

Nice play on the word "cover."

 

[ratiocinator]

I do believe we are born believing in God.

People may always remember believing but that is simply because they were taught about some version of god that their parents and wider culture believed in. Otherwise, it would be rather odd how most people who believe, believe in the same god(s) as their parents and culture do.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Did you ever measure gravity and formulate a hypothesis or a theory regarding it?

Yes.

 

[chinu]

Any evidence with which I can observe, measure, experiment and use to formulate a hypothesis or theory.

Interesting question.

Why "God" may arrange such an evidence for you ?

 

[SalixIncendium]

Interesting question.

Why "God" may arrange such an evidence for you ?

You mean besides His apparent desire for his followers to convince nonbelievers he exists?

 

[chinu]

Wouldn't any do?

Perhaps.

 

[chinu]

You mean besides His apparent desire for his followers to convince nonbelievers he exists?

No, I don't mean this.

 

[SalixIncendium]

No, I don't mean this.

Then I'm afraid I don't know what you meant.

 

[Mock Turtle]

Indeed he does. In Islam it is taught that disbelieving people cover what they know to be the truth. The word kafir comes from the word to cover.

Ever wondered about the mechanisms religions tend to use to protect themselves, attract converts, dissuade members from leaving and such?

 

[chinu]

I think @Polymath257 covers it.

Oh!
Press the like button on @Polymath257 post

 

[chinu]

Then I'm afraid I don't know what you meant.

Its okay if you are afraid

 

[Secret Chief]

Yes.

Now if I'd said that I'd know I was lying. You, on the other hand...

 

[SalixIncendium]

Its okay if you are afraid

 

[Polymath257]

What type of evidence you require to accept this claim ?

Look at my previous posts. I gave examples of the evidence that would be convincing.

 

[Polymath257]

I do believe we are born believing in God. I have always believed. The question is, what makes you disbelieve in what you know exists?

And I believe we are all born atheists and have to be taught religions in order to believe them.

The main reason people believe in God, I think, is because their parents taught them to do so.

 

[Polymath257]

Indeed he does. In Islam it is taught that disbelieving people cover what they know to be the truth. The word kafir comes from the word to cover.

Except that whether it is the truth is the point at issue. You seem to think that I *actually* believe in God and want to deny the evidence. But, in reality, I just don't believe in your mythology.

 

[ChristineM]

What CAN make you believe in the existence of God ?

A valid definition accepted by both the majority of believers and a majority of none believers of what a god is and falsifiable evidence that a something matching that definition exists in reality

 

[Polymath257]

Interesting question.

Why "God" may arrange such an evidence for you ?

I don't pretend to know which of many Gods you claim to exist, so I make no claims to the motivations of such Gods.

I just said what it would take for me to be convinced that such things exist.

 

[ecco]

Which God?
Whose God?
Pick one - any one.
Unequivocal evidence for its existence would be the instantaneous, permanent disappearance of everyone who believed in any other god.