Believers often forget that most atheists used to be religious, that many non-believers used to think they had a personal relationship with their God and they used to 'feel' the power of prayer. They've since learned that it was all a farce, that their feelings were internal emotions and not some external force.
David G. McAfeeChristian apologists who argue that a story about an empty tomb is convincing evidence of a resurrected body are likely unfamiliar with Occamโs razor, which states that among competing hypotheses, the hypothesis with the fewest assumptions should be selected. They assume that the most likely explanation is miraculous resurrection through some unproven divine connection, but more likely scenarios include a stolen body, a mismarked grave, a planned removal, faulty reports, creative storytelling, edited scriptures, etc. No magic required.
David G. McAfeePrayer doesnโt work. Perhaps it makes the believer feel better (in the same way that meditation or deep thought would), but prayer doesnโt actually affect the external world. Not only is it ineffective, but it is also a very narcissistic practiceโฆ why would a 'God' change its 'Divine Plan' to accommodate any personโs wishes?
David G. McAfeeIf there is a Creator-God, it has used methods of creation that are indistinguishable from nature, it has declined to make itself known for all of recorded history, it doesn't intervene in affairs on earth, and has made itself impossible to observe. Even if you believe in that God... why would you think it would want to be worshiped?
David G. McAfeeWhile it may be impossible to 'disprove' the existence of some 'Higher Power' or abstract Creator, it is entirely possible โ through analysis and research โ to find discrepancies within the ancient, organized religious traditions that support the idea of a specific God.
David G. McAfeeIf you are religious, you believe that your religion is the 'right' oneโand, in many cases, all others will be sent to hell. Similarly, a nationalist believes his or her nation is better or more advancedโand a racist believes that an inherent difference between each race make his or her ethnicity superior. All of these ideologies spawn the hate, philosophical disagreements, and prejudices that have been the catalysts for various atrocious acts throughout history.
David G. McAfee