# Present evidence for the existence of your deity **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 23, 2012, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737 "2012-04-23T19:45:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737/41 "2012-04-24T01:11:20Z")
Miosotis. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737/42 "2012-04-24T01:14:17Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > Miosotis. And this is evidence of which particular God? ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737/43 "2012-04-24T01:23:56Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > And this is evidence of which particular God? Baalzeboob? I assume you asked the same of people who cite the beauty of stars, sunsets, and eclipses? ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737/44 "2012-04-24T01:30:30Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Nope. No matter whether Reform Judaism is a valid “Judaism” branch, the Orthodox Jews present an unbroken cultural, ethnic and religious thread for 4000 years. Even if you accept the Bible as historical, the religious thread was clearly broken for centuries, until Hilkiah “found” the book of the Law in the sixth century BC. So, 2600 years, tops. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737/45 "2012-04-24T01:31:41Z")
In the Judeo-Christian tradition, at least, faith is your path to God, not evidence. But I guess the Jews have one up on the Christians in that respect, because they aren’t in the business of trying to convince/convert anyone. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737/46 "2012-04-24T02:06:26Z")
Evidence is within my heart. No can’t prove it but don’t really want to. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737/47 "2012-04-24T02:49:33Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Not really since Moses received the Torah on Sinai. Which is, I think around 4000 years ago. Maybe 3500. Moses didn’t exist. There wasn’t an Exodus. And God only gives information on gold plates. 😃 > [@](#): > > Of course, you may be talking about “Reform”, or “Reconstructionist” Judaism. But that’s just people playing at religion, IMO. It’s all playing. > [@](#): > > As for Hindus - it is really hard to talk about single continuous ethnicity or culture there, there are so many, and so changing. So, only your example counts? How fortunate for your case. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737/48 "2012-04-24T02:51:10Z")
> [@sisu](#): > > Evidence is within my heart. No can’t prove it but don’t really want to. Then why did you even bother posting? ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737/49 "2012-04-24T02:57:11Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Then why did you even bother posting? It’s pretty much the only right answer. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737/50 "2012-04-24T03:00:33Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Then why did you even bother posting? Why did you even bother to ask? We both know there is no evidence whatsoever that would convince you. And given my high estimation of your education and intelligence level, there is no argument you haven’t heard numerous times before. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737/51 "2012-04-24T03:15:06Z")
> [@gamerunknown](#): > > [This](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oigT0GOX_oY/TUgR2WMH5hI/AAAAAAAAAn4/cJ0g90YPXZs/s1600/The-best-top-desktop-emma-watson-wallpapers-emma-watson-wallpaper-hd-16.jpg) is the best evidence I can provide, by the way. Either that, or evolution being a fantastic blind watchmaker. My heart just stopped beating for a few seconds. What a beauty she turned out to be! ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737/52 "2012-04-24T03:16:47Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > We both know there is no evidence whatsoever that would convince you. How would you know that, given that he’s never been presented with any evidence better than “I say so”? The unbelievers are never presented with any evidence stronger than the empty assertions of some guy on a street corner ranting that vampires are the secret rulers of the world; dismissing such “evidence” and demanding something better is hardly the sign of a closed mind. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737/53 "2012-04-24T04:11:02Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Then why did you even bother posting? because it is the truth. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737/54 "2012-04-24T04:32:00Z")
> [@sisu](#): > > because it is the truth. No-that is _your_ “truth”. i have seen a number of posts through the years from Christians exclaiming that they have solid evidence(not just blind faith) of the existence of their deity, but that atheists would only dismiss it so why should they even bother to show it to us. Once again, the OP is absolutely valid because claims that evidence exists have been put forth over and over again. Until the claims(such as the one referred to in the OP) stop, requests to see the evidence in question will continue. If you have a problem with the request, then you should have an equal problem with the original claims. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737/55 "2012-04-24T04:34:07Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > My evidence of my deity: > > 1. The beauty of the physical laws describing nature. > 2. The beauty of the mathematics used to describe the physical laws. > 3. The joy of existence. > 4. The love of my family. > 5. The love of others. > (There’s likely more, but these come to mind quickly.) > > This is of course rather personal, but that is expected given my belief in my deity is based on personal faith rather than verifiable observations. Why is this evidence of your deity, and no other? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737/56 "2012-04-24T05:04:38Z")
Reading this thread has reinforced my belief that the greatest thing we can teach our children is critical reasoning and logic. What passes for “evidence” these days is appalling. When confronting a new belief, by what standard does one assess that belief, and decide whether to embrace it as part of one’s total belief system? Apparently there is no standard, just a random acceptance of random musings. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737/57 "2012-04-24T05:10:38Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Jews are the only people to survive, with pretty much an unbroken ethnic, cultural, religious and ethnic continuity, for around 4000 years. Yes, Zoroastrians are still around, but they are really a pale shadow of what was, with most of their religious texts lost and they are struggling to maintain themselves (the couple of them I talked to said Zoroastrianism will be gone within 50-60 years). > > So I would say someone/something is watching over us. By the same logic, someone is “watching over” cockroaches but not dinosaurs or Tasmanian Tigers [eliding over the logical slide from “watching over” to “ensuring our survival” to "ensuring our survival because [$deity] cares more about [$us] than about anyone else’s ". Cultural tenacity, circumstance and/or blind luck are not proof of anything. You need to present proof that Judaic survival could only have been due to of the existence of their deity. Failing that parsimony requires us to conclude it’s just plain good fortune. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737/58 "2012-04-24T05:13:30Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > My evidence of my deity: > > 1. The beauty of the physical laws describing nature. > 2. The beauty of the mathematics used to describe the physical laws. > 3. The joy of existence. > 4. The love of my family. > 5. The love of others. > (There’s likely more, but these come to mind quickly.) > > This is of course rather personal, but that is expected given my belief in my deity is based on personal faith rather than verifiable observations. You wouldn’t be content if someone you loved was convicted of a serious crime on the basis of “evidence” like this. I rather suspect you know perfectly well that the evidence being called for here is proper real objective evidence, drawn from somewhere outside your own head. Do you have anything of that nature? ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737/59 "2012-04-24T08:08:46Z")
> [@Gagundathar](#): > > What a beauty she turned out to be! She’s a few months older than me, so I realised from the first movie essentially! The sixth movie poster drove me to distraction more than a few times… Course, it’d have to be a trickster God to accomplish a feat like [this](http://www.lowbird.com/data/images/2011/07/imageshack-watsondawkins.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![gatorslap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gatorslap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gatorslap)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737/60 "2012-04-24T08:16:56Z")
There is lots of solid evidence out there for the existence of my deity: [photographic](https://www.google.com/search?q=ted+mcginley&hl=en&safe=off&client=opera&hs=Aew&rls=en&channel=suggest&prmd=imvnso&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=4V-WT7DcA9PWiAKNwKHqCQ&ved=0CE8QsAQ&biw=1440&bih=788&sei=7l-WT8vcL8GViALit6HhCQ), [video](https://www.google.com/search?client=opera&rls=en&q=ted+mcginley&sourceid=opera&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&channel=suggest#client=opera&rls=en&q=ted+mcginley&oe=utf-8&channel=suggest&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbo=u&tbm=vid&source=og&sa=N&tab=wv&authuser=0&ei=a2CWT7fMB6aniQKr98CACg&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.,cf.osb&fp=b4f61412bd1275de). My deity is otherwise known as Ted McGinley. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737.md?page=4)