Why Don’t You Believe in God? Which God?

Have you ever heard a conversation like this?

“How can you not believe in God?”

“Which one?”

“What do you mean?”

“Zeus? Ra? Ganesh?”

“No, the God in the Bible. Yahweh?”

“Oh, just God. Well, you know how you don’t believe in Zeus or Ra? That’s how I don’t believe in your God.”

At first glance, this sounds like a punchline from a comedy club. But beneath the humor, this conversation carries a deeper meaning. There’s a philosophical argument here, even if it’s presented simply. What’s it called? “Atheism with one more God.”

Why Is This Relevant?

In the United States, discussions about faith are fascinating because of the country’s diversity. Some people deeply believe in a particular God, others are skeptical of all religions, and some take a more spiritual but non-religious approach. In this context, a simple conversation like the one above becomes a mirror reflecting how people view and question beliefs.

The Logic Is That Simple

Think about it—most people who believe in a particular God don’t believe in other gods. Imagine if your neighbor were worshiping Zeus in their garage while grilling hotdogs. Highly unlikely, right? Most people are already “atheists” regarding thousands of gods humanity has believed in, from Thunder Gods to Corn Gods.

What makes this argument intriguing is that atheists just take one extra step: they choose not to believe in one more god. Yes, the god that shows up in Sunday services or gets a shout-out during Thanksgiving before carving the turkey.

For example, Greek mythology was once so influential that massive temples were built for Zeus, Athena, and Poseidon. But today, those names mostly appear in history classes or movies. This raises the question: could the God worshipped today eventually become just another chapter in a textbook?

Reflection to Ponder

This argument isn’t about mocking those who believe in God. Not at all. Instead, it’s an invitation to examine beliefs more critically. If Ra (the ancient Egyptian sun god) is considered a myth, why is another god considered real? Don’t they all have stories, miracles, and unique attributes?

For instance, Zeus is famous for his lightning and romantic scandals. Yahweh has the story of creating the world in seven days. Both had dedicated followers in their times, complete with grand temples and fervent prayers. So what makes one more real than the other? It’s a question worth pondering.

Cultural factors play a significant role. In America, belief in a single God is often tied to national identity, as seen in the phrase “In God We Trust.” But if someone were born in India, their beliefs might focus on Hindu gods like Ganesh or Krishna.

Fair Criticism

Of course, some might argue, “Hey, this is different! My God is transcendent, all-powerful, and has proven His existence.” Fair point. Many people have profound reasons for their faith, whether through personal experiences, revelations, or family traditions. It’s also not entirely fair to equate Zeus, busy hurling lightning bolts on Olympus, with a God believed to have created the universe.

Still, the question remains: what makes one belief stronger than another mythology? If the answer lies in spiritual experiences, are others’ experiences with their gods invalid? For example, in India, many people swear that Ganesh has brought them business success. So, who’s right?

There are also arguments supporting the monotheistic God. For example, the idea that God exists outside of time and space is often considered unique. This differs from Zeus or Ra, who are more like characters with superpowers than beings transcending everything.

Sometimes, this argument can also be a moment of humor that sparks thought. Imagine Zeus sitting in a Starbucks, complaining to Ra, “Why did everyone forget about us? My temples were packed back then, and now all I get is an Instagram Story.”

Humor like this often helps tackle big issues in a lighthearted way. Sometimes, all that’s needed is a moment to reflect on something without feeling judged.

Picture this: Poseidon decides to work in Silicon Valley. “Water? Everyone’s into AI now, not water. I’m outdated,” he says, sipping a latte.

Infographics or Statistics

Adding perspective with statistics can be insightful. In the U.S., about 63% of the population identifies as Christian, while 29% say they are unaffiliated with any religion (Pew Research, 2021). These numbers show that while belief in God remains dominant, skepticism and non-religious views are also on the rise.

Debates Don’t Have to Divide

The goal of this argument isn’t to win debates or blame anyone for believing in God. More than that, it’s an invitation to think critically. Beliefs, whatever they may be, are part of a person’s identity. But there’s nothing wrong with questioning deeply held assumptions. Isn’t it questions like these that led humanity to the moon and discovered electricity?

So, when a conversation like this comes up in the living room during Thanksgiving (perhaps between a skeptical uncle and a church-going aunt), just listen. Sometimes, a light-hearted debate can lead to profound reflections. And who knows, maybe there’s a moment of enlightenment somewhere between the turkey and the pumpkin pie.

Conclusion

In the end, conversations about God or gods don’t have to end in division. Instead, they can be bridges to understanding one another. Belief, skepticism, or even humor about Zeus at Starbucks can be the beginning of a bigger discussion. The world is too vast and full of wonders not to be questioned, isn’t it?

Or, as a friend often jokes, “Sometimes life feels like choosing: is this something we inherit genetically or just one of those funny moments that makes us pee our pants? Somehow, conversations about gods feel the same. Part of it is our cultural legacy (‘pass in our genes’), and part of it is just us laughing and thinking, ‘Is this really what we’re debating?’”