Debate: Christianity or Atheism?
Side: Christianity

Christians often claim that they believe in the existence of God. But that's all there is to it. They believe that God exists, but they don't know. In order to win this debate, they first needs to bear the burden of proof that God exists. To illustrate this, I turn to the words of the celebrated Cambridge philosopher and mathematician, Bertrand Russell. In an article entitled "Is There a God?", Prof. Russell wrote:Ok, first there is no real way of proving God does or does not exist. I'm familiar with the celestial teapot argument, but it's a stupid argument because it assumes that the idea of God is silly. Fact is that you can't prove the non-existence of God... which kind of leaves us at a standstill because so many people claim to feel God in some way.1. Prove beyond reasonable doubt that God exists.If I die as a Christian I could potentially go to heaven, if I die as an atheist nothing happens. It makes more logical sense to believe than not to believe provided it doesn't require massive amounts of suffering.Therefore, shouldn't the burden of proof be placed on proving God doesn't exist?2. Prove beyond reasonable doubt that there are no logical reasons to subscribe to other forms of theism (i.e. deism, pantheism and the rest).Now you have moved beyond the idea of atheism and you are agnostic. My thought is that the most logical choice is the one that gives you the best after death options while providing the least requirements during life.3. Prove beyond reasonable doubt that there are no logical reasons to subscribe to other forms of monotheism (i.e. mainly Judaism and Islam).I will say this however, 99% of religions are based around the idea that you do X and you get Y. There is a form of Christianity that believes God just gives you heaven based on his own divine choice regardless of human action. Now that is unique.That said I don't see anything wrong with Judaism or Islam. First, I'll present the logical Problem of Evil:1. If the Judeo-Christian God exists (henceforth referred to as "God"), He possesses the characteristics of omnipotence (all-powerful), omniscience (all-knowing and all-wise) and omnibenevolence (perfectly good and morally perfect).Ok2. If God exists and is omnipotent, he is able to eliminate all evil and suffering.Ok3. If God exists and is omniscient, he knows about all potential sources and occurrences of evil and suffering.Ok4. If God exists and is omnibenevolent, he has the absolute desire to eliminate all evil and suffering.This step assumes that your definition of evil and suffering matches that of God. 5. Evil and suffering exists.Ergo,6. God does not exist.Again you are making some assumptions that don't logically fit the situation. You are assuming to know what God considers suffering.In the Judao-Christian tradition the story of Job is all about human suffering serving God's will. Remember, part of religion is the idea that no matter how much things suck here on earth there is something better awaiting you in death.1. There exist instances of intense suffering which an omnipotent, omniscient being could have prevented without thereby losing some greater good or permitting some evil equally bad or worse.If there is a God... why would you assume it would act in the same manner as a human? Or even see the world in the same way as humans? Actually an Omnipotent and Omniscient being with an unlimited lifespan would probably have radically different goals and ways of thinking than a human being.2. An omniscient, wholly good being would prevent the occurrence of any intense suffering it could, unless it could not do so without thereby losing some greater good or permitting some evil equally bad or worse.Impossible to know what goals or motivations such a being would have. Ergo,3. There does not exist an omnipotent, omniscient and wholly good being.What are the implications of the Problem of Evil? If Christians want to solve the Problem of Evil, they must deny one of the three characteristics God is said to possess (i.e. omniscience, omnipotence, and perfect goodness). If Christians want to hold that God is good, then they must necessarily assert that God is either not omniscient or not omnipotent. However, the burden of proof is still on the Christian to prove beyond reasonable doubt that this is true.God could easily be all three provided his definition of evil doesn't match yours. A great example is the idea that the only thing God considers evil is a failure to recognize the greatness of God, at which point God will choose to punish those in an afterlife. Which leaves the human condition unchanged... and your thesis a giant waste of time.Anyway... your greatest point is the idea that Religion must prove itself or be rendered invalid. However, since religion technically lies within the realm of myth... not science, it's the other way around.