by Sean Prophet
No, not in a logical sense--since it would be impossible to search the entire universe for non-evidence of God. Not to mention the difficulty of searching outside time and space, where many theists believe God resides. But logical inconclusiveness is not a valid argument against atheism. It is a classic example of the argument from ignorance. Sagan and Dawkins have both discussed this premise, using analogies like the "teapot in orbit around Mars" or the "invisible dragon in my garage." It is impossible to disprove the existence of either one of those claimed objects--but that doesn't mean either one exists.
Many believers also invoke the god-of-the-gaps argument to explain incomplete scientific knowledge. Especially when those gaps involve the origin of the universe or human beings.
These particular arguments really center around the burden of proof. Theists often assert that atheists have the burden of proof, while atheists claim the opposite. Scientists and atheists also refer to Occam's razor, as a way of cutting through outlandishly complex, contrived, or theologically convenient explanations for phenomena.
Many believers also invoke the god-of-the-gaps argument to explain incomplete scientific knowledge. Especially when those gaps involve the origin of the universe or human beings.
These particular arguments really center around the burden of proof. Theists often assert that atheists have the burden of proof, while atheists claim the opposite. Scientists and atheists also refer to Occam's razor, as a way of cutting through outlandishly complex, contrived, or theologically convenient explanations for phenomena.
But in every area of life other than religion, people making positive truth claims always have the burden of proof. For example, if I claim there is $10,000 in my bank account, but can provide no evidence, the bank will not honor my check no matter how loudly I protest. If I claim I have a Ph.D. but cannot produce evidence from an institution, I will not get a job which requires a Ph.D. So how is it that churchgoing people so often say to each other things like "God wants me to move to Mississippi," or "God wants me to marry this person," etc.? When such claims are made, it leaves the person on the receiving end with two bad choices: Go along with what the person said as if it were from the "Lips of the Lord," or challenge the veracity of the person's faith or connection to god.
In the interest of decorum, there is a third and better alternative. Since there is no way to verify whether or not God spoke to a person, or what was said (even courts of law don't accept hearsay evidence), simply treat them as if they had said: "I want to move to Mississippi,' or "I desire to marry this person." Since the faithful are not likely to stop making these claims anytime soon, it is up to the rest of us to simply tastefully sidestep these forged mandates from 'on high.'
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