What are the reasons for atheism?

Many people are atheists because they think there is no evidence for God’s existence – or at least no reliable evidence. They argue that a person should only believe in things for which they have good evidence. A philosopher might say that they start from the presumption of atheism.

What do you call someone who believes in the universe but not God?

Wikipedia: Pantheism is the belief that all of reality is identical with divinity, or that everything composes an all-encompassing, immanent god. Pantheists thus do not believe in a distinct personal or anthropomorphic god.

What is the reason to believe in God?

Believing that God has a plan helps people regain some sense of control, or at least of acceptance. Another motivational factor is self-enhancement. If you live in a society where religion is prized, it’s in your best interest to say you believe, whether you truly do or not.

Why do people pray?

Prayer is an essential part of Christian life. Some people pray because they are commanded to (Muslims); others pray to offer gifts to their many gods (Hindus). But we all pray for strength and forgiveness, to wish blessings upon each other and to be one with the Lord our God.

Who are the “new atheists?

Since the 9/11 attacks, this “enlightened” modern criterion for knowing has been reinforced by the “New Atheists”—Daniel Dennett, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and (the late) Christopher Hitchens. Richard Dawkins, for example, writes “scientific beliefs are supported by evidence, and they get results.

Do theists have to live up to Descartes’ absolute standards?

Indeed, there would be precious little we could know if we followed that demanding standard. When it comes to the knowledge of God’s existence, the theist does not have to live up to Descartes’ absolute standards. The believer can have plenty of good reasons for belief in God—even if not absolute, mathematically certain ones.

Do we need scientific proof to prove God’s existence?

Usually, when skeptics ask us Christians for “proof,” they are usually calling for “scientific proof ” for God’s existence, objective moral values, the soul, or life after death. We have come to expect such challenges in an age of scientism—the belief that science, and thus “ scientific proof” —can alone yield knowledge.

Does knowledge require 100 percent certainty?

But no credible epistemologist (a philosopher who specializes in the study of knowledge) accepts this “100 percent knowledge” myth. One major reason for that is this: you cannot know with 100 percent certainty that knowledge requires 100 percent certainty.