Michael Shermer - Atheism's Best Arguments?

Atheism fields two kinds of arguments denying the existence of God: arguments that refute so-called 'proofs' of God's existence and arguments that affirmatively support the truth claims of atheism. This first seeks weaknesses or fallacies in pro-God arguments; the second seeks to show why atheism alone makes sense. Different atheists offer different arguments.

[satch]

I bet Shermer never thought he'd be having an atheistic debate with Einstein.

[Justinwhat]

This is great. Two intelligent people having an intelligent conversation.

[thadlyken]

This was one of the best debates I’ve seen so far

[late]

I had automatically created subtitles on, and at 0:23 is says "ergo there is no guy" 😂

[CaptainFrantic]

However, studying and critiqueing religions (or religious people) tells you absolutely nothing about a "God" (creator) who MAY exist when ALL religions simply may have it wrong. Asserting that there is NO God is an act of faith. Debunking religion however is low hanging fruit and easily accomplished. A lot of atheists are actually anti-theists and I wish they would proudly identify as such instead of muddying the philosophical water.

[geshtu]

Surely "atheism's" best argument is simply that theism's best arguments don't hold up to scrutiny. Atheism isn't a matter of saying we know the answers they don't. The way we further any endeavour to discover the universe or improve our reasoning is by pointing out the flaws and trying to correct them. Atheism is a matter of trying to convince theists that they don't know the answers either, and that they are likely just deceiving themselves and others. If it gives you comfort, then go for it, but don't force it on others. Doubt and skepticism are some of our best tools for finding truth (or steering closer to it)

[blazinblasphemer]

"Gaps? I'll fill them with god"

[avoca]

That's their best? Very unconvinced...

[cyclometre]

If you believe in God it is because you want to; if you don't believe in God it's because you don't need too!

[chrisose]

The best atheist argument is the complete lack of any competent arguments for theism.

[Theon]

Best summary I’ve heard yet. Shermer is great at analyzing things. Bravo!

[davidreinker]

Where you're born tells you what god you believe in? This may have some truth on a large scale, but there are too many exceptions to take this argument seriously. There are a number of countries that have a mix of multiple religious beliefs, for instance. And many people may claim to adhere to a religion but don't necessarily believe in it.

[rolo]

Disproving religion does not disprove God.

[DarkEagle-vxhd]

Whenever I want to feel smarter than others, I listen to atheists!

[robgau]

That's your argument? We made God up? Lmao. The thing that leaves a bad taste in my mouth with Shermer is that he's a skeptic just for the sake of being a skeptic. No matter what the topic is, he's immediately skeptical about it. It's become trite, boring and just doesn't work.
Did he say nothing is not nothing? It's quantum physics? No. Nothing IS nothing. Hence, the word nothing.

[Loneshdo]

Shermer should stick to debunking 911 truthers

[shinyheart]

I think god should get on live tv and declare his existence to all the people in the world and then visit everybody personally and make them SEE and FEEL that he is real. Everybody will believe in God.
(Basically make believing in him/her super easy so that nobody goes to hell. That's what he wishes right?) PROBLEM SOLVED.
I think if god is almighty and superpower who can create infinite universe can do this very easily.

[rolo]

How can everything come out of nothing? That is the most stupid argument of all. Quantum fluctuations and the laws of quantum mechanics are not nothing. They did not make themselves. Multiple universes also had to have a first cause.

[soap]

I honestly do not understand how anyone could possibly know what the fuck is going on in the absurd lives we live. There is absolutely NO CHANCE anyone has the slightest idea of what’s going on. Humans are inherently chaotic and territorial, they are drawn to strong leadership which is why large institutions exist to regulate the self. Why can’t we live and enjoy our experience and make the most out of it. We are all just products of our environment and should therefore coexist peacefully but religion holds us back by literally brainwashing ideas into people’s minds, these ideas are accepted because people feel a sense of security in being controlled and giving another human the power to make tough decisions. We only have around 80 fucking years left and I don’t give a goddamn fuck if the way these letters are organized offends you. But really it doesn’t matter, nobody knows what’s happening so chill

[adamrspears]

Ok, I have a lot of questions.
With Judaism, Christianity, & Islam, they generally would agree that
(1) there is an aspect to existence that is spiritual.
(heaven, hell, GOD, satan, angels, demons, ghosts, etc...)
(2) that beings of the "spirit world" can know that we, in the physical world exist by their ability to, at their will, manifest into & out of our physical world; but we, here in this physical life, cannot know that the "spirit world" & its beings exist because we lack the ability to manifest into & out of the "spirit world" at our will.

-Now (2) is interesting!
WHY would an all-powerful GOD, who desires us to know THEM, stay in a "spirit world" & give THEIR SELVES & the spiritual entities that THEY created the ability to manifest in the physical world & know that we exist; but cut us off from that ability so that we can know that THEY (GOD) stress again, that GOD wants us to know THEM.

So why would GOD set it up to work that way?
Why would GOD force us to have Faith in THEM, if THEY want us to know them??
Why would GOD allow spiritual beings to manifest in this physical world, so that they can know us; but deny us the ability to manifest in the "Spirit World", where THEY (GOD) are, so that the ONLY way we have a shot at knowing THEM, is via Faith??

....Why?
Why would an all-powerful GOD who wants us to know THEM, set it up to work THAT way??

It literally makes no sense to me!