It Wouldn't Take Much

[Lestat]

A lot of theists like to go beyond insufficient evidence as the reason why atheists and agnostics don't believe. They insist on making the further claim that we're somehow against God. That we don't want to believe and go out of our way not to. I think what many don't realize is that it wouldn't take much for most of us to seriously take another look on whether or not there is a god. It certainly wouldn't take any earth shattering miracle like a sea parting, or extreme instances of known physical laws being turned on their head. How about if just....

High priests were immune to deadly diseases?

The pope or some other religious leader lived to an age beyond 200 years old?

The pope or some other high religious leader invoked a successful mass community prayer to eliminate AIDS or cancer from the earth?

10,000 or more people all simultaneously received the same sign or message from God about a particular thing?

One accurate modern day prediction with details from a religious authority, such as the foretelling of the internet back in 1960?

Of course, theists will be quick to point out that God doesn't need to do any of this. But it's worth noting that none of the above things are unreasonable. In fact, I would argue that at least some of them should be things we'd expect if there really were a god. Has there not been a single pope or religious leader who has pleased God enough through his services that God wouldn't want to keep him around for 500 years or so? Why wouldn't God allow those who serve Him in high order some degree of immunity from the suffering of deadly diseases? I understand He doesn't have to, or even that we should expect it, but why wouldn't He?

I think anyone who is a theist who believes in a personal God should be bothered that none of these things ever happen. Forget the big miracles you've never seen. Just the complete and utter absence of little ones like these should greatly trouble you that they never ever occur.