Is there any test...?

[Willum]

So is there any test that can be made to distinguish God from an imaginary friend of the same name?

An imaginary friend with a popular name, of course.

Any way at all?

The debate topic is: There is none.

[William]

[Replying to post 27 by William]

OK, if someone, anyone knows, they should be able to demonstrate the difference.
Right?

Why would you think that?

Post #5 speaks to this already.

But if you have any idea on how this can be done, feel free to enlighten...

[FarWanderer]

Yes, I believe there is "a test" and that is ... prayer!

A valid test with a clear result.

[Tcg]

Yes, I believe there is "a test" and that is ... prayer!

A valid test with a clear result.

So how do you determine whether it is the god named God, or the imaginary friend named God that has answered the prayer? If you can't provide a clear test to determine which is the case, you haven't provided the test the OP has asked for.

[FarWanderer]

Yes, I believe there is "a test" and that is ... prayer!

A valid test with a clear result.

So how do you determine whether it is the god named God, or the imaginary friend named God that has answered the prayer? If you can't provide a clear test to determine which is the case, you haven't provided the test the OP has asked for.

I am not sure how you think an imaginary friend could answer a prayer, being imaginary and all. In theory, I could pray to God for a million dollars and actually get it from him. I couldn't do that with an imaginary friend.

[Tcg]

Yes, I believe there is "a test" and that is ... prayer!

A valid test with a clear result.

So how do you determine whether it is the god named God, or the imaginary friend named God that has answered the prayer? If you can't provide a clear test to determine which is the case, you haven't provided the test the OP has asked for.

I am not sure how you think an imaginary friend could answer a prayer, being imaginary and all. In theory, I could pray to God for a million dollars and actually get it from him. I couldn't do that with an imaginary friend.

Not surprisingly, you didn't address my question. Given that fact, you have once again failed to provide the test the OP requests.

[FarWanderer]

[Replying to post 35 by Tcg]

Are we playing solipsism games?

Is there a test for determining between a real person that goes by "FarWanderer" and an imaginary person that goes by "FarWanderer"?

[JehovahsWitness]

Yes, I believe there is "a test" and that is ... prayer!

A valid test with a clear result.

I believe such a test is valid, as prayer under the test conditions I outlined, will I am convinced ( based on personal experimentation, and various religious reports), produced results considered "clear" by the participants.


JW

[Willum]

[Replying to post 37 by JehovahsWitness]

The scientific community at large has discovered the effect of prayer to be psychological.
So you invoking the belief card, again, is simply unfair, bordering on "flame bait," as criticizing personal belief if often considered a personal attack, as many debaters have discovered.

No, there is simply no way for one to discriminate between God and an imaginary friend. Therefore...

[marco]

Note, I am not saying that what they believe is false. I don't believe in a God, but I am not saying there is no god. I am merely pointing out why I think people believe.

And you say so very well. Welcome to the forum. There are of course religious heavyweights who have pondered long and heavily on the subject of God; Christians turn atheist but occasionally atheists turn Christian.

I share your view but I am always on the lookout for one of those pious emissaries whose words are strikingly convincing. Dum spiro, spero, as Cicero said. Best wishes


As for the imaginary friend - he doesn't destroy a couple of cities when you want him to, or play tricks with the water at the local beach.

[Tcg]

[Replying to post 35 by Tcg]

Are we playing solipsism games?

I'm not, are you?

Is there a test for determining between a real person that goes by "FarWanderer" and an imaginary person that goes by "FarWanderer"?

If there is, it wouldn't be any help in addressing the OP.