this post was submitted on 21 Jun 2024
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Requiring someone to provide evidence to back up a claim is not the same as taking a position that the claim isn't true. This is the root component of the burden of proof and the stance many people have towards a god claim: they aren't convinced the god exists due to a lack of evidence provided by the person claiming the god does exist. Until there's actual evidence it's rational and reasonable to withhold judgement.
The unicorn (or other mythological beings) are used as a similar case to illustrate to a theist that they have the same kind of attitude towards the idea of a unicorn existing as an atheist does to any gods. They're both neat concepts, but without evidence showing they actually exist, they're nothing more than an idea for stories and art.
I’d respect that opinion if this were a post about debating the existence of god. This is a post asking religious people why they are religious. Atheists were not under attack, nor were any religious people asserting that others should believe their faith. Actively attempting to discredit the beliefs of another is just as self-righteous as attempting to convert without request.
This is the fundamental problem that Einstein had with the arrogance of atheists. As a self-identified agnostic, this is why he was offended when he was referred to as an atheist.
https://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2010/07/26/128769603/the-hidden-dimensions-of-science-vs-religion