Does there exist a deity?

THIS WAS POSTED IN THE IDENTICAL THREAD OVER IN THE PHILOSOPHY SECTION:


I agree that there is no rational basis for a belief in a deity.

I also assert that there is no rational basis for a belief in the absence of a deity -- or of deities.

I am an agnostic.

Beliefs are guesses.

Faith is holding tenaciously to a certain guess.

As I said, I am an agnostic. I do not know if there is a GOD or if there are no gods - and I do not see enough unambiguous evidence to make a guess in either direction.

I do get a kick out of people who do guess one way or the other - and then mock or deride the other side for their guesses.

I reposted it here because one of the more experienced members suggested that I might get more replies here :-) I hope that I haven't done the wrong thing.

By saying that beliefs are guesses, are you suggesting that no-one can come to a meaningful conclusion about anything? Are you positively asserting that no sentient being is ever capable of drawing a meaningful conclusion that is more right than contrary conclusions as to the *probability* that there exists a deity?

What is the probability, from the evidence that is before you, that there exists a deity?

A proof is, in its breader sense, a means of persuasion. If a person is persuaded of a statement A, then the person has already a proof of A.

E.g., the formula


P=>Q, P
________(therefore)
Q


persuades all of those trained in logic. But you cannot prove the validity of the form without recourse to axioms.

I am??? And why is that???

If that is an example of your logic, perhaps this thread should have been posted in the entertainment section as well.





I am asserting that I do not know if there is a GOD; I do not know if there are no gods; I do not see anywhere near enough unambiguous, probative evidence upon which to make a meaningful guess in either direction -- and I have never heard anything from any other human being that indicates anyone else on the planet is or has ever been in a more informative position.

I do know there are people who assert they have enough evidence to come to the conclusion that it is more probable there is a GOD; I do know there are people who assert they have enough evidence to come to the conclusion that it is more probable there are no gods.

I have listened carefully and reasonably to the arguments from both these factions and have come away astonished that intelligent people can be deluding themselves that way.



[quote/]What is the probability, from the evidence that is before you, that there exists a deity?[/quote]

Read what I wrote above!

There only is God...yes there is we have proof. According to "Discover" the body of John the Baptist was found

There only is God...yes there is we have proof. According to "Discover" the body of John the Baptist was found
TGR

Probalility is a relative degree of belief about the occurence of an event.

TGR, What do you mean the body of John the Baptist was found? I visited his tomb in Turkey, and that's been there for over 1,800 years. c.i.

BTW, The Topkapi Palace in Istanbul also has the hand of John the Baptist displayed in their museum. c.i.

In what sense does that support the proposition that there exists a deity?