# If God proved that God existed , then what? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 22, 2013, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659 "2013-03-22T17:57:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659/161 "2013-03-27T15:02:22Z")
And there’s no religion, And rabbits rub your feet My baby is eating flowers That kill off all disease ---
**Author:** ![Saraya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Saraya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saraya)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659/162 "2013-03-27T15:03:28Z")
Putting the arrogant comments aside - of how we as humans can began to conceive how ‘God’ may think… How is this not in IMHO? > [@MuleSkinner](#): > > No, you don’t get to tell me that when you say you’re no longer a believer it’s not the same thing as saying that you aren’t one, etc., and then tell me to shut up about it. You keep posting contradictions, and I’ll keep calling you on it. If you want me to stop talking about it, stop making the statements or you’re just as guilty of hijacking as I am. Really, you’re one of those? Saving the internet from injustices, how …altruistic of you. ---
**Author:** ![MuleSkinner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@MuleSkinner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MuleSkinner)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659/163 "2013-03-27T15:11:24Z")
I wasn’t being altruistic. He’s not going to keep trying to get the last word in and then tell me I have to not post a rebuttal or I’m the one continuing a hijack. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659/164 "2013-03-27T16:52:40Z")
(Posted without looking at the rest of the thread). I don’t think a large-scale miracle would do it. It certainly didn’t for the Israelites. Even the Bible says that despite the proof they received (in the form of the plagues upon Egypt, the parting of the Dead Sea and so on) they became so distraught during the Exodus that they started worshiping a golden calf when Moses took too long coming down from Mount Sinai. Humanity’s a rather fickle bunch, really. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659/165 "2013-03-27T18:39:21Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > Interestng. I think you have a point. To some religions and religious leaders God showing up would threaten their grasp on power and their manipulation of others. To quote Cardinal Spellman talking to the Pope when Christ and Moses show up at the back of St. Pats in the Lenny Bruce bit: “What are we paying protection for, anyway?” ---
**Author:** ![Latro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a87d85/32.png) [@Latro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Latro)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659/166 "2013-03-27T18:55:03Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > I don’t think a large-scale miracle would do it. It certainly didn’t for the Israelites. Even the Bible says that despite the proof they received (in the form of the plagues upon Egypt, the parting of the Dead Sea and so on) they became so distraught during the Exodus that they started worshiping a golden calf when Moses took too long coming down from Mount Sinai. Yes you would think that the Prussians would have been convinced of Napoleon’s divinity after he handsomely caught that coin Washington tossed over the river. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659/167 "2013-03-27T19:35:07Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > (Posted without looking at the rest of the thread). > > I don’t think a large-scale miracle would do it. It certainly didn’t for the Israelites. Even the Bible says that despite the proof they received (in the form of the plagues upon Egypt, the parting of the Dead Sea and so on) they became so distraught during the Exodus that they started worshiping a golden calf when Moses took too long coming down from Mount Sinai. > > Humanity’s a rather fickle bunch, really. The purpose of that story - and the purpose of C.S. Lewis having atheists look at Aslan without seeing him in “The Last Battle” is to divert attention from the lack of reasons to believe. Instead of acknowledging that nonbelievers lack belief due to lack of evidence, they claim that nonbelievers just don’t believe and wouldn’t even if evidence were presented. In other words, believers have no obligation to present good evidence since it would be rejected anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659/168 "2013-03-27T19:38:46Z")
Maybe God isn’t telling us because he is embarrassed. So, God, why did you create the universe? I was bored. It was a Saturday afternoon, it was raining, there was nothing on TV and none of my friends were home, so I figured, what the heck? And now you people expect me to do maintenance. What’s up with that? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659/169 "2013-03-27T19:47:37Z")
Perhaps we’re on VM running on a Dev box. This is not in the production environment. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659/170 "2013-03-28T02:35:30Z")
> [@MuleSkinner](#): > > No, you don’t get to tell me that when you say you’re no longer a believer it’s not the same thing as saying that you aren’t one, etc., and then tell me to shut up about it. You keep posting contradictions, and I’ll keep calling you on it. If you want me to stop talking about it, stop making the statements or you’re just as guilty of hijacking as I am. I really can’t fathom why simple English seems to escape you in this thread, or why you’re so adamant in defending and arguing about it. We won’t be discussing it in this thread. If there’s time we can discuss it in another forum. ---
**Author:** ![MuleSkinner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@MuleSkinner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MuleSkinner)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659/171 "2013-03-28T04:32:19Z")
My grasp of English is just fine and Human Action tried to explain the same thing to you in post 158 that I did. Maybe you should have an open mind that both of us are not wrong and maybe it’s you. Take another look at what it is we’re saying and take your time with it. The definitions of agnosticism and atheism that you use are not mutually exclusive and it makes no sense to say you went from being a believer to an agnostic since your definition of agnosticism deals with knowledge and not belief. According to the definition of atheism you wrote, you’re an atheist and an agnostic. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659/172 "2013-03-28T11:26:12Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > “wants us to do better” does not follow god simply making himself known with an “I AM”. All we know is that there is a god. What he wants is not at all clear unless he is much more specific about what it is he expects of us. But I did suggest that in the OP > [@](#): > > I submit that we have no idea what he suggested, if anything. Otherwise… why, yes. but it’s in the OP. > [@](#): > > God appears and says , "here I am I really exist, I created everything, Try to treat each other and the planet you share with some respect and consideration. Love, would be great ." > [@](#): > > You must admit that we’ve been doing a piss poor job of it. compared to what, the ideal? I understand it certainly seems that way sometimes. Perhaps we can take heart in the progress we have made and are still pushing for. > [@](#): > > If the end goals is one and the same, where’s the harm in taking a short cut to the desired conclusion? Unless god doesn’t actually have a desired conclusion in mind. In which case, god is merely playing dice with the universe. I’m suggesting the end isn’t the goal, but the experience itself is. If I have a transporter and can go anywhere in just a blink, that great, if my goal is to be at point X, Y, or Z. If my goal is the journey itself and the experiences that go with itm then the transporter defeats the goal. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659/173 "2013-03-28T11:31:17Z")
> [@MuleSkinner](#): > > My grasp of English is just fine and Human Action tried to explain the same thing to you in post 158 that I did. Maybe you should have an open mind that both of us are not wrong and maybe it’s you. Take another look at what it is we’re saying and take your time with it. The definitions of agnosticism and atheism that you use are not mutually exclusive and it makes no sense to say you went from being a believer to an agnostic since your definition of agnosticism deals with knowledge and not belief. According to the definition of atheism you wrote, you’re an atheist and an agnostic. Human Action and I have manged to have fairly long exchanges about the OP ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659/174 "2013-03-28T13:46:16Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Only because our existing and fairly well established religious framework makes that “obvious” to many/most. However, I don’t see why that would be the correct assumption. Well yah! We’re talking about God appearing in the society we live in I think. > [@](#): > > “Jesus is coming! Look busy!” 😃 And he looks really pissed of. > [@](#): > > AFAIK, no-one gets out alive. But while we’re here, I do agree that we’re the only ones in a position to help ourselves. We don’t have a very good track record so far, but I remain optimistic that on average we try to do more good than harm. I was and occasionally still am very frustrated with the how people treat each other, but I’ve found that as I deal with my own stuff and am better able to be more positive more often, to let go of anger and resentment , I am more likley to make a positive contribution God or no God, that works for me. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659/175 "2013-03-28T13:55:59Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > But I did suggest that in the OP You’re right, it is. I apologize. These threads get so long sometimes, I often loose track of all the established points. > [@cosmosdan](#): > > compared to what, the ideal? I understand it certainly seems that way sometimes. Perhaps we can take heart in the progress we have made and are still pushing for. I am equally optimistic, at times. > [@cosmosdan](#): > > I’m suggesting the end isn’t the goal, but the experience itself is. If I have a transporter and can go anywhere in just a blink, that great, if my goal is to be at point X, Y, or Z. If my goal is the journey itself and the experiences that go with itm then the transporter defeats the goal. I’ve stated earlier and elsewhere that if there is a god responsible for the human condition, then we are hard pressed to devine his motives. But I understand the temptation to do so and I often catch myself doing just that. So maybe it’s a journey and maybe it’s the destination. The god that we imagine seems intent on both. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659/176 "2013-03-28T14:15:50Z")
> [@Human\_Action](#): > > Ok, so it’s general theological discussion, then. I can do that. > > There is no one universal truth, that will appeal to each person as _the truth_. Each person has to find their own meaning in life, and live it authentically. This may or may not involve continuous, conscious “growth” of some kind. I understand that’s your view. I think there may be unversal truth we are striving toward. It is essentially the striving itself that makes me continue to believe in the possibility. > [@](#): > > Symbolically, perhaps, but not in fact. Unlike the parts of an organism (tissues and organs, for example), individual organisms are a whole, they have an independent existence. At most, you could say that organisms are holons; both parts and wholes. That’s certainly the way it appears. There are still things to discover. > [@](#): > > If you mean in purely practical terms of cause and effect, yes, people can be connected, but there’s nothing mystical about it. Ultimately I don’t think it’s mystical either. Reality is what it is. If there is a creator sustainor then that’s reality. We just don’t know and make our personal judgements accordingly. ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659/177 "2013-03-28T14:47:40Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > I understand that’s your view. I think there may be unversal truth we are striving toward. It is essentially the striving itself that makes me continue to believe in the possibility. Here’s the evidence for my view: over recorded history, the number of religions and philosophies in practice has _increased_, not decreased. If there were a universal truth, and progress was being made, there would be an observable winnowing effect, as belief systems were discarded in favor of fewer and fewer ones that hewed closer and closer to whatever the universal truth was. In practice, though, we see exactly the opposite occuring: more and more factionalism, schisms, and wholly new creeds being developed. If, on the other hand, truth was an entirely individual matter, with no reference point outside of the individual, then what we observe is exactly what should happen: as advances in technology permit wider and wider dissemination of ideas, there is increasingly a marketplace for those ideas, and the “supply” of religions and creeds naturally increases to match this “demand”. > [@cosmosdan](#): > > That’s certainly the way it appears. There are still things to discover. Yes, but people shouldn’t base their life around an idea on the off chance that it might someday be discovered to be true. That way lies madness; the abrogration of reason to magical thinking. > [@cosmosdan](#): > > Ultimately I don’t think it’s mystical either. Reality is what it is. If there is a creator sustainor then that’s reality. We just don’t know and make our personal judgements accordingly. By mystical, I meant “impossible to measure or rationally explain”. If it’s a natural process, this shouldn’t be true. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2013, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659/178 "2013-03-29T19:18:53Z")
> [@Human\_Action](#): > > Here’s the evidence for my view: over recorded history, the number of religions and philosophies in practice has _increased_, not decreased. If there were a universal truth, and progress was being made, there would be an observable winnowing effect, as belief systems were discarded in favor of fewer and fewer ones that hewed closer and closer to whatever the universal truth was. In practice, though, we see exactly the opposite occuring: more and more factionalism, schisms, and wholly new creeds being developed. I understand your thinking but I thnk there’s a few things to consider. The significant increase in population. More people beginning their search can account for some new religions and philiosophies. MAny religions and philosophies are varients of another, or built upon the foundation of another. The foundational truths are very similar. The fakes, the ones who do it just for profit , or ego, or power. They wouldn’t count as a search for universal truth. After looking at world religions and seeing the similarities , especially ancient ones that were much harder to share or teach because of distance, it occured to me that perhaps different men in different cultures were getting glimpses and insights into a universal truth that were being affected by their culture and education limits. Then we have the demonstratable fact that each major religion has been altered variable degrees by those that followed. The message may have been more consistent and pure in the begining and then distorted as other men interfered and interpreted. I would also argue that progress has indeed been made. Look at the overall state of mankind now and the begining of recorded history. More human rights, Less Slavery, an elevation of women’s rights etc, progress. It seems clear to me that mankind is contiinuoulsy striving not only in knowledge of the physical world , but in the quest to advance the human condition through compassion, shared resources, advancing education, healthcare, etc. There’s no way to absolutely link that to any universal truth , but there doesn’t seem to be a way to completely dismiss it either. > [@](#): > > Yes, but people shouldn’t base their life around an idea on the off chance that it might someday be discovered to be true. That way lies madness; the abrogration of reason to magical thinking. I’ve come to understand that we really don’t know what’s right or best for others, or where they should be and what they should do and when, on their particular personal journey. I wasn’t raised in a religious family, but after high school I became a believer. Later I began to reject certain beliefs, until I became IMHO 🙂 an agnostic. I’ve seen people go from agnostic or atheist to believer or believer to atheist. That’s their personal journey of self discovery and dealing with thier own inner selves. I have an opinion, and there will be moments of sharing and even confrontation but ultimately each person has to make their own journey and decide when they are mentally and emotionally prepared to let go of whatever is holding them back. That being said, IMO, fear of death, a pretty normal human trait, is not a positive, and has a lot to do with religion and the promise of a happy afterlife. > [@](#): > > By mystical, I meant “impossible to measure or rationally explain”. If it’s a natural process, this shouldn’t be true. There’s the physical measureable world. It’s not hard to believe that science has plenty left to discover and measure. I think another poster made a good point by saying any entity that created and sustains the universe is likley not able to be measured from within it’s creation but aside from that there are also important aspects of life we cannot measure. It seems to me that if God created the universe he created it physically, but also created consciousness and emotions as well. How do we measure the qualities of love, compassion, charity, mercy, and their opposites? ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2013, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659/179 "2013-03-29T19:40:53Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > I’ve stated earlier and elsewhere that if there is a god responsible for the human condition, then we are hard pressed to devine his motives. But I understand the temptation to do so and I often catch myself doing just that. So maybe it’s a journey and maybe it’s the destination. The god that we imagine seems intent on both. The idea that it’s the journey is the only thing that makes sense to me when I ask, if God , or something we call God, exists, then what’s going on here and why? ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2013, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659/180 "2013-03-30T14:00:37Z")
> [@Human\_Action](#): > > If we try to square your conception of God with what you’re describing, then we’ve no choice but to conclude that either your conception of God is mistaken, or God is carrying out his work in a half-hearted, limited way. I base this conclusion on the following: > > 1. If God and it’s message were available to all that sincerely sought it, those people would find God and take it’s message to heart. I’m not sure how you conclude that. Lots of people today feel they know God exists , understand that the command is to love one another, and still fail to seriously try and fulfil that commandment. > [@](#): > > 1. If this happened, it would have observable effects upon humanity: religious thought would converge on whatever God’s true message was. Again, I disagree. Lot’s of religions now share the message of brotherly love and fail to truly implement it > [@](#): > > 1. This is not happening, in fact, quite the opposite has happened over the last 600 years or so. IMO, progress has been made. There is no standard to judge that progress would or should be easier and faster if God existed. > [@](#): > > 1. Therefore, God and it’s message are _not_ available to all that sincerely seek them. It’s not just receiving a message. It’s having the will to follow through, and some idea of how to do so. That requires continued effort. > [@](#): > > Only if the proof was hopelessly mild and not accompanied by a message or command. Substantially proof convinces, and commands would be obeyed. IMO, it would have to be continued proof and probably clear punishment for disobedience. Again, people believe now and the commands are not obeyed. > [@](#): > > Knowing that, in fact, there is a God and it wants us to treat each other and our planet better, is a rather huge deal. I can’t understand why you think it’d be brushed off. Because proplr brlieve now and still can’t manage it. I don’t think it would be casually brushed off. I agree it would be a major event and there would be changes. I’m saying without sustained regular proof, mankind would drift back. And how good would sustained proof be if people realized God didn’t punish or there was no reward for obedience. IN the long run, I think it’s not even about obedience, but choosing a path of sustained continued growth. > [@](#): > > Could I work harder at my job already? Sure! But when my boss reveals herself as supernatural being who created life and asks me to work harder, suddenly the incentives are completely different! I guess that depends. Incentives would be things like punishment or reward that were fairly obvious. And how does one obey the command to love anyway? > [@](#): > > If that is, in fact, the purpose of creation, it seems incumbent on the creator to convey this purpose to the created, it’s not as if this message hasn’t been repeated. > [@](#): > > If I adopt a bunch of kids to start a basketball team, waiting for them to slowly decide on their own that I must have gathered them together to play basketball, then start practicing on their own with no feedback from me, is a _profoundly_ inefficiently way to go about things. okay. But assuming the goal isn’t just to win games but to also enjoy the experience and maybe learn some principles about teamwork etc that will improve their lives, what happens when you give them the basics and some of them are willing to seriously work at it while others understand your words, but can’t find the motivation to take it seriously and truly apply themselves? No matter how good a coach you are and how clear and moticational your words are , they must have the will, and make the choice to apply themselves. You’ve adopted them. They’re yours. You can’t walk away from being their coach, and regardless of how bad they are , they are yours. Now,if the goal was simply to win games and you could reach in their minds and make them better players, you would. If the goal is the experience itself then doing that defeats the purpose. You’re making the assertion that there is no communication or it is so weak to not matter. I’m saying that if the experience of choice and having somethings to choose from is the purpose , then how do we gauge and judge that “if God really existed , life would already be easier and better” I’m suggesting that if the experience itself is the purpose of creation then the world we have is not a contradiction to that God. > [@](#): > > " That seems to be the model for God as conceived of by several folks around here, a God that demands that we guess what he wants and then do it." Love God and love your neighbor as yourself isn’t unclear language. It’s the doing that presents the challenge and the discovery through effort. > [@](#): > > As for your beef with MuleSkinner, you should be aware if you aren’t already that being an agnostic and an atheist are not mutually exclusive, in the way that being a theist and an atheist is. I’m aware of the nuances. We’ve been able to address the OP without arguing the semantics and details of my personal belief. It didn’t seem relevant. What initially bugged me was the way he asserted something with so very little to go on, rather than ask a question for clarity. I saw a red flagg and thought that addressing it would lead to quibbling over details and nitpicking that amounted to a hijack. From the posts that followed , I think I was correct. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659.md?page=10)