- a grumpy New Zealander

[I]t is unprovable that we will still be alive a year, month, week, or even a day from now. However, many act as if and plan as though they will be alive until an old age. This is not unreasonable.

Of course, that is because we can observe those of advanced age around us; however, there is no direct observation of any future benefit in believing in some invisible deity.

Furthermore, it is Evangelical “fundie” creationists who usually demonstrate intolerance towards those who do not share their belief — even amongst themselves!

When in doubt, consult Wikipedia:

* Tim Tam
* Minties

For Minties image, click here.

“But if I were to go on to say that, since my assertion cannot be disproved, it is [an] intolerable assumption on the part of human reason to doubt it, I should rightly be thought to be talking nonsense.”

Just want to clear up that the key error here isn’t believing in something that “cannot be disproved”, it is in the intolerance towards those who view the matter differently.

For example, it is unprovable that we will still be alive a year, month, week, or even a day from now. However, many act as if and plan as though they will be alive until an old age. This is not unreasonable. However, it would become unreasonable to then try to criminalize those who do not act in this way. You can believe it unwise of those who only live in the moment. But the moment you feel they should be ostracized, belittled, or otherwise attacked for their disbelief in something unprovable, your belief leaves the realm of reason all together.

Tolerance, not merely putting up with but genuinely understanding the validity of a belief different than your own, is the key.