# Why don't people believe in God? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 21, 2013, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766 "2013-08-21T00:49:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Timo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@Timo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timo)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/181 "2013-08-21T17:27:09Z")
But it’s true… ---
**Author:** ![Razncain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@Razncain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razncain)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/182 "2013-08-21T17:27:22Z")
**Timo,** you don’t need a BB, you need a pulpit. ---
**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:** [August 21, 2013, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/183 "2013-08-21T17:28:15Z")
> [@Timo](#): > > None, and yes, yes I do. Showing us how well indoctrination and ignorance go hand in hand. Not caring to know about other religions is not something to be proud of. ---
**Author:** ![Timo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@Timo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timo)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/184 "2013-08-21T17:28:25Z")
I don’t really care if that causes a lot of uncertainty. It’s true even if you don’t like it, even if it doesn’t satisfy. ---
**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:** [August 21, 2013, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/185 "2013-08-21T17:29:27Z")
> [@Timo](#): > > But it’s true… The Bible is true because the Bible says so. ---
**Author:** ![Timo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@Timo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timo)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/186 "2013-08-21T17:30:07Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Showing us how well indoctrination and ignorance go hand in hand. Not caring to know about other religions is not something to be proud of. I never said I wasn’t caring to know about other religions… I’m willing to know, but do not be insulted or think I’m closed-minded if I tell you that I will not be swayed by it. ---
**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:** [August 21, 2013, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/187 "2013-08-21T17:30:35Z")
> [@Timo](#): > > I don’t really care if that causes a lot of uncertainty. It’s true even if you don’t like it, even if it doesn’t satisfy. Since I don’t believe in the Bible, why else should I believe it’s true? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/188 "2013-08-21T17:31:50Z")
**Timo** , did you know that whales speak French at the bottom of the sea? Prove me wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Timo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@Timo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timo)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/189 "2013-08-21T17:33:38Z")
Okay, but you can also say the Bible isn’t true. It’s your choice. There’s multiple options you could choose, but only one can be right. RIGHHTTT??? Do you disagree that only one can be right? ---
**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:** [August 21, 2013, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/190 "2013-08-21T17:34:33Z")
> [@Timo](#): > > You can only pick one to believe, because only one will be true. In the end, we may finally confirm 100% which one is true. So, basically what I’m saying is, the Bible can be true, or the Bible can be false. There is no in between. So when the verses say that if you can receive the Holy Spirit that teaches understanding, that can either be true, or false. Or maybe there are multiple Gods, then the Bible is false, right? Or maybe there are no Gods, then the Bible and the religion with multiple Gods is false. But only one can be true. I hope that makes sense. You can pick none. None is a valid choice as well. In the face of contradicting belief systems without supporting evidence about why one is right and the others wrong, none of the above seems like the most rational choice. But you’re not interested in rational. You’re putting all your money on the red 2 and letting it ride. That’s not faith, that’s gambling. ---
**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:** [August 21, 2013, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/191 "2013-08-21T17:34:46Z")
> [@Timo](#): > > I never said I wasn’t caring to know about other religions… So why haven’t you bothered to study them? > [@Timo](#): > > I’m willing to know, but do not be insulted or think I’m closed-minded if I tell you that I will not be swayed by it. Saying that you will not be swayed by something you haven’t even read yet is the very definition of “closed-minded”. ---
**Author:** ![Timo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@Timo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timo)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/192 "2013-08-21T17:36:00Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > You can pick none. None is a valid choice as well. In the face of contradicting belief systems without supporting evidence about why one is right and the others wrong, none of the above seems like the most rational choice. > > But you’re not interested in rational. You’re putting all your money on the red 2 and letting it ride. That’s not faith, that’s gambling. Picking none is a choice… Wait…what’s your definition of faith? isn’t gambling a step of faith? ---
**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:** [August 21, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/193 "2013-08-21T17:37:15Z")
> [@Timo](#): > > Okay, but you can also say the Bible isn’t true. It’s your choice. There’s multiple options you could choose, but only one can be right. RIGHHTTT??? > Do you disagree that only one can be right? I disagree. None are right. Not a single one of them. ---
**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:** [August 21, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/194 "2013-08-21T17:37:28Z")
> [@Timo](#): > > Okay, but you can also say the Bible isn’t true. It’s your choice. There’s multiple options you could choose, but only one can be right. RIGHHTTT??? > Do you disagree that only one can be right? What about the possibility that none of the current options are right? It might be that whatever created the universe has never made an attempt to make itself known, and doesn’t care about us at all. ---
**Author:** ![Razncain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@Razncain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razncain)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/195 "2013-08-21T17:38:12Z")
> [@Timo](#): > > Okay, but you can also say the Bible isn’t true. It’s your choice. There’s multiple options you could choose, but only one can be right. RIGHHTTT??? > Do you disagree that only one can be right? If referring to gods or holy works, when they contradict so much, at the very best, only one could be right. That doesn’t mean one is. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/196 "2013-08-21T17:38:28Z")
> [@Timo](#): > > Okay, but you can also say the Bible isn’t true. It’s your choice. There’s multiple options you could choose, but only one can be right. RIGHHTTT??? > Do you disagree that only one can be right? The default position of logic is that nothing is assumed to be true until reliable evidence proves it to be true. Anyone professing to know the truth has a burden to prove why we should accept their claim. No proof, no truth. Oh, yeah; obligatory scripture: “Believe those who seek the truth, doubt those who find it.” ~~André Gide ---
**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:** [August 21, 2013, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/197 "2013-08-21T17:38:54Z")
> [@Timo](#): > > Picking none is a choice… > Wait…what’s your definition of faith? isn’t gambling a step of faith? Depends on your definition of “faith”. Just so’s we’re clear, what _is_ your definition of “faith”? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/198 "2013-08-21T17:39:00Z")
> [@Timo](#): > > Haha, because I honestly don’t know how else to preach the Gospel without using God’s words. I’d be willing to learn if someone knows how. I guess I was just excited to be able to use verses in the Bible as answers. Because I believe in God, I just assumed that the verses stood as truth. Then before you quote “God’s Words” with such assurance, maybe you’d better find out if they really are. Otherwise, you could quote from _The Joy of Cooking_ with just as much impact on us. It’s vitally important that you understand why your “God’s Words” are not the same others’ “God’s Words.” Believers in the Koran or the Book of Mormon are just as sincere as you are and just as dedicated to their beliefs. Why do you think that is? Here’s a hint. Consider how you arrived at your beliefs. Did you sit down with all the holy books and reference works you could find, examine each, then conclude that only one was true? Probably not. It’s most likely you are a Christian because your family was or is. This is exactly why Islam begats Islam, Buddhism begats Buddhism and Methodists begat Methodists. I suggest you start first with an excellent set of essays, [Who Wrote The Bible?](https://login.secureserver.net/index.php?app=wbe&plid=1) It’s in 5 long parts, and you need to knuckle down, read it all, and understand it. Before you do that, quoting verses is just parroting some ancient text that _only you_ (in this thread) think are divinely inspired. ---
**Author:** ![Timo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@Timo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timo)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/199 "2013-08-21T17:40:45Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > I disagree. > > None are right. Not a single one of them. Then that’s a choice, and that’s a truth that you picked, because you believe that none are right. ---
**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:** [August 21, 2013, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/200 "2013-08-21T17:41:20Z")
> [@Timo](#): > > Wait…what’s your definition of faith? isn’t gambling a step of faith? Gambling and faith are different things. Interesting that you think they are somehow related. Personally, I don’t subscribe to either vice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766.md?page=11)