The problem (one of the many, many problems) with arguments about god's existence is that all the rules that people normally use in their lives just go out the window.
I have a car to sell (actually true). It is a 1996 Dodge Neon (true). I will take your best offer (true). Now then, what do you have to know before you would even consider giving me a single dollar? Minimally?
Normal Car Buying Conditions:a) The car does exist-- you will want to come to my house and see the car, or at least see a photo of it online.
b) The car runs okay-- you will want to do a test drive to prove this.
c) The car has no major problems-- you will want a mechanic inspect the car and tell you about any problems that I have not told you about.
d) The car belongs to me and I have the right to sell it-- you will want to see the title.
e) The price I want is fair for the age and condition of the car-- you will want to consult the blue book and consumer reports.
And maybe even more--do you like the color, has it been in any accidents, does it get good gas mileage, is it comfortable to sit in, does your spouse like it, can your college kid drive it across the state, is it a stick or automatic, can it pass emission, is there a dead body in the trunk.
Now treat the car the way many religious people generally treat god. God conditions: I tell you a car exists. I am very persuasive about that. You believe that the car is real and send me $1500. That's it.
You never see the car or test drive it. No mechanic can look at it. I can't answer any specific questions about make, model, year or even color. You have to trust that I have the right to sell it. I show you some papers hand written by a friend that say I own a car.
You have to take all this on faith. If you got pictures or any other specifics before you sent the money,
it would cheapen our interaction. I feel that it runs well
in my heart. So will you. Of course, if you decide not to buy the car under the God Conditions, someone might come to your house someday and set it on fire.
Nobody would buy a car under these God Conditions. And even with this nebulous car sale, you at least know that cars in general do exist, you have seen them and driven them before. And if I take your money under false pretenses, and don't give you a car, you have the right to take me to court.
Not so with any gods. You pays your money, time, energy, etc. and you takes your chances.
If anyone wants to send me 1500 bucks for my car under the god conditions, I will also throw in a prayer candle and magic crystal-- free of charge.
