[ClearCase_guy]

As for the "if I cannot perceive it, it cannot exist" quote.... it's a misinterpetation of the atheist position. The real position is: "if I cannot perceive it WHY should I recognize it exists?"

Think of black holes. You cannot perceive them, so why should you recognize that they exist? Well, scientists say they do. Scientists say they are important, and scientists have data which provides some level of verification.

Why should you recognize that God exists? Well, religious people say He does. Religious people say He is important, and religious people have data (testimonials) that provide some level of verification.

Some people think scientists have credibility -- in other words, they have faith in scientists. Some people think religious people have credibility -- in other words, they have faith. Some people have faith in both science and God.

[Jason Kauppinen]

Testimonials aren't of the same quality as empirical data which can be independantly verified.

[xm177e2]

Think of black holes. You cannot perceive them, so why should you recognize that they exist?

Scientists can perceive them indirectly, through their effects on other celestial bodies. There is no way to perceive a deity, directly or through supposed actions and alleged miracles.

If I cannot perceive "god," I can't recognize his actions, then I have no reason to believe he exists, and absolutely no reason to alter my life in any way if he does indeed exist as a being that will never interact with me in any way, even indirectly (or if he did, I would have no way of knowing it). How can I know what god wants, let alone whether or not he exists?