Understanding the Impossibility of Proving God’s Non-Existence

Science is fundamentally based on provable and observable phenomena. Therefore, it cannot definitively prove that a spiritual entity such as a god does not exist. The burden of proof remains on the proponents of theism to provide evidence for their belief. All we can ascertain is that a god not appearing in reality is no different from a god not existing at all. This aligns with the statement by Matt Dillahunty: 'A god that does not manifest in reality is indistinguishable from a god that does not exist.' This concept implies that belief or disbelief in a god does not have any tangible impact on human life, making belief an abstract concept without concrete reality.

The Absence of Measurable Impact

The lack of measurable impact from non-existent gods for believers is a central point of discussion in this article. Those who believe in a god often engage in practices such as praying, tithing, and other forms of religious devotion. However, if the gods they believe in are non-existent, these practices would have no discernible impact on their lives, much like engaging in activities that are purely imaginary. From an engineering perspective, this belief is an open loop system where there is no feedback mechanism. The actions based on belief or non-belief do not have any measurable effect on external events.

Implications for Atheists and Theists

Atheists have long lived without any concept of a god or gods, and many theists who have lost their faith report being happier and more content. This suggests that the absence of a non-existent god does not significantly impact an individual's happiness or well-being. In a broader context, the cessation of religious practices such as tithing by all believers would have immediate and large-scale effects on the economy, indicating the human-made nature of religious influence on society. However, such effects are unrelated to the existence of a god in any measurable sense.

The Logical Conclusion: No “What If” to Consider

The assertion that gods do not exist is not a hypothetical proposition. There is and has never been any evidence to support the idea of a god being real. Therefore, the question of 'What if God ISN'T real?' is meaningless as it presupposes evidence that does not and cannot exist. The logical conclusion is that gods are not real, and this conclusion is widely supported by the lack of empirical evidence and the practical realities of life without such beliefs.

Embracing atheism or agnosticism does not mean abandoning morality or societal values. It simply means recognizing that the concept of a god does not have a direct impact on the observable and testable aspects of our lives. In this way, we can lead fulfilling lives without the burden of unsupported beliefs.