Of atheism and the default position.

As discussed in the previous blog, theist (or dishonest theist) want to shift the burden of proof on to the atheist. Unfortunate for them, not all positions are equal.  There are pragmatic reasons that atheism and theism shouldn't be equal positions. If we where to grant such a thing then it would lead to a absurd contraction in some situations.

If an atheist failed to prove that "god does not exist" would that mean "god exists"? If so, what if a theist failed to prove that "god exists" as well? That would lead us to concluded that god exist and not exist at the same time. So we have to conclude how the  theist wants handle the discussion is to have double standard (to avoid that contradiction) or to be inconsistent position.

This is the sticking point here: Not accepting a claim is not the same as rejecting a claim. This is what is called the null hypothesis in statistics. Lets say claim x says that there is a correlation between W and Y. If there was an significant correlation between W and Y then the claim would be accepted as true. If not then it is said that the claim is failed to be accepted. Not only this is good ontological parsimony, but allows for the claim to proved at a later date. This is exactly how it should be for the theist. If they fail to prove god exists then there is always tomorrow for them. This prevents also from accepting that ghost, goblins, fairies, or any supernatural entity before there is sufficient evidence to do so.

This means that atheism i.e. "failing to accept the claims of theism" or "not affirming the existence of a god" is the position to be held until there is sufficient evidence to accept theism as true.  This lays the burden of proof squarely on the shoulders of the theist. It doesn't matter if thought the ages people believed in a god or that the majority still do believe in a god. The burden of proof is still on the theist because these facts in themselves is not evidence for a god. It is very well possible for everyone to be wrong. No one has to be right at all.