Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 4: Scientific Evidence Disproving the Existence of God
• Part 2 of 4: Cultural Evidence Disproving the Existence of God
• Part 3 of 4: Philosophical Evidence Disproving the Existence of God
• Part 4 of 4: Preparing to Discuss Religion
• Tips
• Warnings

Most people in the world believe in the existence of God. Objectively, arguing about its existence is not an easy task. However, you can make a compelling case for it doesn't exist by using scientific, philosophical, and cultural evidence. Whichever approach you take, when discussing the existence of God, remember to remain polite and considerate towards the person you are talking to.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Scientific Evidence Disproving the Existence of God

1. 1 Point out that sentient beings are not perfect. The argument about imperfection indicates that if God is so perfect, why did he create us and so many other living beings so badly? For example, we are vulnerable to many diseases, our bones break easily, and as we age, our bodies and brains deteriorate. You can also mention our poorly-designed spines, inflexible knees and pelvic bones that lead to difficult childbirth. All of this is biological proof that God does not exist (or proof that he created us imperfect, which means that there is no need to worship him).
   • Believers can challenge this argument by stating that God is perfect and made us as perfect as possible. They can also claim that what we consider to be flaws actually has a purpose in God's creation.
   • Some say that originally God created man perfect, but when man sinned against him, sin corrupted the original creation, and destruction and death appeared in the world. Be aware that you may be faced with this counter-argument.
2. 2 Point out that everything supernatural can be explained in scientific terms. The "God of Gaps" argument is very often used when people are trying to prove the existence of God. It is based on the fact that although modern science explains most of everything that exists, it is still unable to explain some things. You can refute this claim by saying that the number of things we don't understand continues to decrease every year, and that scientific explanations have replaced theistic ones, while supernatural or theistic explanations have never replaced scientific ones.
   • For example, you can cite the example of the theory of evolution as one of the areas in which the scientific explanation of the diversity of species in the world has replaced the God-centered one.
   • Say that religion has often been used to explain the inexplicable. The Greeks used Poseidon to explain the occurrence of earthquakes, which we now know are due to the movement of tectonic plates.
3. 3 Point out the inaccuracies of creationism. If the existence of the world can be explained in scientific terms, then it is not necessary to say that God created it. According to Occam's Razor, the simplest explanation is usually the best. Creationism is the belief that God created the world, usually relatively recently, about 5000-6000 years ago. Take advantage of the overwhelming amount of evidence that refutes this, such as evolutionary evidence, fossils, radiocarbon dating, and ice rolls, to challenge the existence of God.
   • For example, you can say the following: “We constantly find stones that are millions and even billions of years old. Doesn't this prove that the world could not have been created recently? "
   • Some might argue that the Earth looks old because the Flood changed its climate and geology. However, this does not explain the existence of millions of craters on the moon and supernovae in space.

Part 2 of 4: Cultural Evidence Disproving the Existence of God

1. 1 Point out that belief in God was socially determined. There are several variations on this idea. You can explain this by the fact that in relatively poor countries, almost everyone believes in God, but in rather rich and developed countries, the number of believers is noticeably lower. You can also say that more educated people are more inclined towards the idea of ​​atheism than people with less education. Together, these two facts indicate that God is only a product of cultures, and faith in him depends on the personal circumstances of each.
   • You can also point out that people raised in the same religion overwhelmingly hold these religious views throughout their lives. Those who grew up in a religious family rarely become religious themselves.
2. 2 Point out that the fact that most people believe in God does not prove that he exists. One of the common reasons for believing in God is that most people believe in him. This “consensus” argument may also suggest that because so many people believe in God, such a belief must be natural. However, you can break this idea by stating that the fact that most people believe in something does not tell you that it is true. For example, you might say that at a certain period of time, most people found slavery acceptable.
   • Say that if a person is not introduced to religion or the idea of ​​the existence of God, he will never believe in him.
3. 3 Uncover the diversity of religious beliefs. The distinguishing features and characteristics of the Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist God are very different from each other.Therefore, you might say that even if God exists, it is impossible to determine which God should be worshiped.
   • This idea is known as the "argument from conflicting religions."
4. 4 Point out contradictions in religious texts. Most religions regard their sacred texts as the result and evidence of the existence of their God. If you can point out the contradictions and other flaws of the sacred texts, then provide a solid justification for the fact that God does not exist.
   • For example, if one part of a sacred text describes God as forgiving and then wipes an entire village or country off his face, you can use this apparent contradiction to show that God does not exist (or that the sacred texts are lying).
   • In the case of the Bible, it is safe to say that at a certain period entire verses, stories and anecdotal moments were fabricated or altered. For example, Mark 9:29 and John 7: 53–8: 11 were copied from other sources. Point out that this clearly proves that sacred texts are just a jumble of creative ideas from a person, not divinely inspired books.

Part 3 of 4: Philosophical Evidence Disproving the Existence of God

1. 1 If God existed, he would not have tolerated so much unbelief. This argument suggests that in places where atheism is prevalent, God would descend or personally intervene in worldly affairs and reveal himself to atheists. The very fact that there are so many atheists and that God did not try to convince them through divine intervention means that there is no God.
   • Believers can challenge this claim by saying that God allows free will, so unbelief is the inevitable outcome. They can cite specific examples in their sacred texts about cases when God revealed himself to those who refused to believe in him.
2. 2 Expand the contradictions in the other person's faith. If his belief is based on the idea that God created the world because "Everything has a beginning and an end," ask him, "If so, then who created God?" By doing this, you point out that the other person unjustly assumed that God exists, when in fact, the same message (that everything has a beginning) leads to two conflicting conclusions.
   • People who believe in God can challenge this by saying that, being omnipotent, he is outside time and space, and therefore is an exception to the rule that everything has a beginning and an end. In this case, you should direct the argument towards the contradictory idea of ​​omnipotence.
3. 3 Expand the problem of evil. The problem with evil is how God and evil can exist at the same time. In other words, if God exists and he is good, then he must destroy all evil. You can say, "If God really cared about us, then there would be no wars."
   • Your interlocutor may answer like this: “Human rule is wicked and erroneous. People do evil, not God. " Thus, your opponent can again resort to the idea of ​​free will and challenge the idea that God is responsible for all the atrocities that occur in the world.
   • You can go further and say that if there is a bad God who allows evil to be done, he is not worth worshiping.
4. 4 Show that morality does not need religion. Many believe that without religion, the planet would have plunged into a chaos of immorality and immorality. However, you can say that your own actions (or any other atheist) are practically no different from the actions of a believer. Recognize that although you are not perfect, no one is, and that believing in God does not necessarily make a person more moral or righteous.
   • You can disprove the idea of ​​a more moral believer by saying that religion not only does not lead to kindness, it leads to evil, since many religious people commit immoral acts in the name of their God.For example, you can mention the Spanish Inquisition or religious terrorism around the world.
   • Moreover, animals that fail to understand the human concept of religion exhibit clear signs of an instinctive understanding of moral behavior and what is right and what is wrong.
   • You might say that morality is a social norm necessary for collective survival, and not necessarily related to spirituality.
5. 5 Show that the good life does not require God. Many believe that only with faith in God can a person live a rich, happy and full life. However, you can point to the fact that many non-believers live happier and more successful lives than those who choose religion.
   • For example, talk about Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens and the great success they have achieved despite the fact that they both do not believe in God.
6. 6 Explain the contradiction between omniscience and free will. It seems that omniscience (the ability to know everything) is contrary to many creeds. Free will is the idea that you are responsible for your actions and therefore responsibility for them also lies with you. Most religions believe in both concepts, although they are not compatible.
   • Tell your opponent: “If God knows everything that has happened and what will happen, as well as every thought that appears in your head even before you even think about it, then your future is a foregone conclusion. If so, then how can God judge us for what we do? "
   • People who believe in God can answer this as follows: "Although God knows in advance all the decisions that a person will take, his actions are still the outcome of his free will."
7. 7 Explain that God cannot be omnipotent. Omnipotence is the ability to do everything. If God could do everything, then he could, for example, draw a square circle. But since this is contrary to all logic, there is no reason to believe that God is omnipotent.
   • You can suggest another logically impossible principle. God cannot simultaneously know and not know something.
   • You might also say that if God is omnipotent, why does he allow natural disasters, mass murder, and war to happen?
   • Some believers have put forward the idea that God may not be omnipotent, and that although his power is very great, he nevertheless cannot do everything. By this they explain why God can do something, but something can not.
8. 8 Transfer to them the need to prove the existence of God. In truth, it’s impossible to prove that something doesn’t exist. Anything can exist, but in order for a faith to be recognized and worthy of attention, compelling evidence is needed in its favor. Invite the believer to provide evidence that God does exist.
   • For example, you might ask what happens after death. Many believers also believe in an afterlife. May they provide evidence for the existence of this afterlife.
   • Spiritual entities like God, the devil, heaven, hell, angels, demons and others have never been (and cannot be) studied scientifically. Point out the fact that it is simply impossible to prove the existence of all this.

Part 4 of 4: Preparing to Discuss Religion

1. 1 Study the theory thoroughly. Prepare to argue that there is no God by reading the basic arguments and ideas of famous atheists. For example, you might start with Christopher Hitchens's book God Is Not Love: How Religion Poisons Everything. Another great source of rational arguments against the existence of a religious deity is the book God as an Illusion by Richard Dawkins.
   • In addition to exploring the reasons for atheism, you should also learn about all the denials and excuses from the point of view of religion.
   • Become familiar with the issues and beliefs your opponent might criticize, and make sure you can defend your ideas with dignity.
2. 2 Organize your reasoning in a logical way. If your reasons are not presented in a simple and understandable way, your message will be lost. For example, when explaining how a person's religion is determined by their culture, you must make sure that your opponent agrees with each of your premises (the main points leading to a conclusion).
   • You might say, "Mexico was founded by Catholics, right?"
   • When they say yes, move on to the next premise: "Are most people in Mexico Catholic?"
   • When they say yes again, move on to your conclusion by saying, "The reason most people in Mexico believe in God is because of the history of the religious culture in that country."
3. 3 Be accommodating when discussing the existence of God. Faith in God is a rather sensitive topic. Approach an argument as a conversation in which both you and your opponent have a compelling case. Speak in a friendly manner. Ask them why they believe so strongly. Listen patiently to their reasons and consider the response to what you hear.
   • Ask your opponent to talk about sources (books or websites) where you can learn more about their point of view and belief.
   • Belief in God is difficult, and claims of the existence of God (for or against) cannot be taken for facts.
4. 4 Keep calm. Arguing about the existence of God can become emotionally stressful. If you become overly agitated or aggressive during an argument, you may start talking incoherently and / or say something that you later regret. Breathe deeply to stay calm. Inhale deeply through your nose for five seconds and then exhale through your mouth for three seconds. Keep doing this until you calm down.
   • Slow down your speed of speech so that you have more time to think about what you want to say and not blur out what you later regret.
   • If you start to get angry, tell your opponent: “Let's agree that everyone will remain unconvinced,” and then disperse.
   • Be polite when you discuss God. Do not forget that for many people the topic of religion is quite sensitive. Don't use offensive language like "bad", "stupid" or "abnormal". Don't call your opponent names.
   • Instead of reaching an agreement, at the end of the argument, your opponent might say the hackneyed phrase, "I'm sorry you're going to hell." Don't respond in such a passive-aggressive manner.

Tips

• You don't have to argue about the existence of God with every believer you meet. Good friends don't have to argue with each other about everything. If you always start an argument with a friend or try to win him over to your side, be prepared for the fact that you will have one less friend.
• Many people choose religion to try to overcome a difficult stage in life, for example, addiction or the tragic death of a loved one. While religion can have a positive impact on a person's life and help him in difficult times, this does not mean that the ideas underlying religion are true. If you come across someone claiming to have been helped by religion, be careful and see not to offend him. You don't have to avoid that person or pretend to understand them.

Warnings

• Always be polite when discussing religion.