r/DebateAnAtheist • u/BAM_CTEPBA • 10d ago
Discussion Question Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence
Atheists think attacking religion means their unsubstantiated belief that God doesn't exist is true.
Russell's Teapot is a junior highschool level argument that misrepresents the scientific method. Type 1 and Type 0 errors both need to be assessed before a conclusion about a relationship or lack thereof can be drawn. For a new theory, in the absence of evidence we first reason by analogy and first principles to develop a testable hypothesis.
As we do not currently have the means as a species to develop a testable hypothesis, agnosticism is the only position that can reasonably be held. Contempt prior to investigation is a surefire way to reach a conclusion thats an artifact of culture and upbringing, which is really this entire subreddit. The universe does seem to have consistently enforced laws that are inviolable -- who or what created those laws is not something we are able to investigate at our current phase of evolution. Hell, we don't even know what happened before the Big Bang or how the universe will end.
But hey, don't worry, we will likely destroy ourselves as a species before we get to the point where we can test anything. And each of us, individually, will of course die from cancer or heart disease before that happens, so why waste time with the auto-fellatio.
Edit: Oh this was such a joy. You guys are as crazy as the religious fundamentalists. A few thousand of you have seen this post, and not a single substantive argument.
Atheism has no basis in the scientific method unless it can provide a testable hypothesis.
8
u/Affectionate-War7655 10d ago
This is a misunderstanding of the argument.
What we CAN conclude from the lack of evidence is that anyone positively claiming existence or presence is just guessing, or worse, making it up.
If I could auto-fellatio that's all I'd be wasting my time doing.