"What i want to do first is ask a question: Can you explain exactly what you mean by "burden of proof", and why you feel it rests with those who believe in supernatural phenomena and not also with those who do not?"
Because it is a lot easier to prove that something exists, whereas proving something does not. For example, using Sarah's black fairy example, if someone proved the existance of the black fairys, we could start believing in them.
To me, God is not something that can be proved. sure, if you prove that it exists, thats a pretty good statement that something else is out there. But, how most people define their "higher power" having proof of that existance would negate the powerful faith effects. I do have the "what if something else is out there" but it in no way conforms to what most people view as "god."
no subject
Because it is a lot easier to prove that something exists, whereas proving something does not. For example, using Sarah's black fairy example, if someone proved the existance of the black fairys, we could start believing in them.
To me, God is not something that can be proved. sure, if you prove that it exists, thats a pretty good statement that something else is out there. But, how most people define their "higher power" having proof of that existance would negate the powerful faith effects. I do have the "what if something else is out there" but it in no way conforms to what most people view as "god."
religion is a social construct and institution.