# Why is the existence of God considered a debate? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 9, 2004, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-existence-of-god-considered-a-debate/233243 "2004-03-09T04:22:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SwingWing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SwingWing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SwingWing)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2004, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-existence-of-god-considered-a-debate/233243/1 "2004-03-09T04:22:33Z")
Today, why is the existence of God considered a debate? ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2004, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-existence-of-god-considered-a-debate/233243/2 "2004-03-09T04:38:47Z")
Because it’s debatable? Because people do in fact debate it? I don’t see why you have a problem with this. Are you using the word “debate” in some uncommon sense that I’m not familiar with? If you’re intending to imply that the existence - or non-existence - of God is so clearly a matter of absolute fact that no rational or useful debate is possible, well, you’ll have to take that to Great Debates. ---
**Author:** ![Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speaker_for_the_Dead)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2004, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-existence-of-god-considered-a-debate/233243/3 "2004-03-09T04:47:45Z")
You sound like my friend, who is normally a completely rational guy. He asked me what my stance on abortion was, and I said I didn’t have one (you don’t know how much that annoys some people). He said something to the effect of “what? How could not have one? There’s only one side!” To which I replied (eloquently) “Huheth?” In his audacity, he dared tell me “it’s obvious that it’s completely up to the person!” Now, his position didn’t matter, he could’ve been talking about 1% milk vs. 2%. It was just that he’d dismiss other positions so easily. Interestingly, that’s the only time I’ve ever heard him do that. It’s not a highjack, it’s an anecdote. ---
**Author:** ![Bob55](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Bob55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob55)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2004, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-existence-of-god-considered-a-debate/233243/4 "2004-03-09T04:50:37Z")
> [@UDS](#): > > If you’re intending to imply that the existence - or non-existence - of God is so clearly a matter of absolute fact that no rational or useful debate is possible, well, you’ll have to take that to Great Debates. Well in anticipation of this being shipped off to Great Debates (a forum I go out of my way to avoid) - I’d like to ask, how could anyone ever conclude that there is no God? ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2004, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-existence-of-god-considered-a-debate/233243/5 "2004-03-09T04:54:36Z")
> [@Bob55](#): > > Well in anticipation of this being shipped off to Great Debates (a forum I go out of my way to avoid) - I’d like to ask, how could anyone ever conclude that there is no God? Simple - it’s a matter of faith. ---
**Author:** ![LordVor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90ced4/32.png) [@LordVor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LordVor)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2004, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-existence-of-god-considered-a-debate/233243/6 "2004-03-09T04:58:00Z")
> [@Bob55](#): > > Well in anticipation of this being shipped off to Great Debates (a forum I go out of my way to avoid) - I’d like to ask, how could anyone ever conclude that there is no God? Because the invisible pink unicorn in the sky wouldn’t stand for the competition? -lv ---
**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2004, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-existence-of-god-considered-a-debate/233243/7 "2004-03-09T05:04:43Z")
It’s a debate because different people have different opinions on the matter. We are not going to debate God’s existence or pre-Jesus Christianity in this forum. We are not going to debate moderator’s decision in this forum either. If you want to debate, post to or open a thread in Great Debates. If you want to discuss the administration of this board, you will do it in the Pit, not in this forum. Read the forum descriptions and follow them, if you wish to remain our guest. This is closed. **DrMatrix** - GQ Moderator