Final answer:
The question of decreasing confidence in God due to a lack of evidence is complex and subjective, relying on personal beliefs, philosophical arguments, and the implications of belief in the real world. There is no universally convincing argument to resolve the existence of God, making it a matter of individual interpretation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Exploring the Existence of God
The question of whether our confidence in God should decrease without clear-cut evidence is a profound one, often encountered in the study of philosophy and theology. The answer may heavily depend on one's personal beliefs and philosophical standpoint, such as fideism, which holds faith independently of reason, or empiricism, which relies on observation and evidence. The burden of proof is typically on those claiming the existence of supernatural entities to provide evidence supporting their claims. In the absence of such evidence, some will turn to reasoning and arguments to draw conclusions about the existence of a deity.
When considering the validity of religious experiences and other arguments for the existence of God, we find that the arguments have both strong and weak points. No single argument is universally convincing, which implies the need for further discussion and inquiry. This includes considering the Many Gods Problem, where different religions present varied conceptions of deities, potentially complicating the choice for skeptics contemplating belief.
Moreover, the outcome of belief or disbelief can have real-world implications. For instance, choosing belief over evidence-based practices in health can lead to negative consequences. Additionally, belief in a particular deity may influence one's actions and attitudes towards others, showcasing that the matter is not merely philosophical but also practical.
In philosophy, we often consider the principle that the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, cautioning against drawing negative conclusions solely because of a lack of proof. Meanwhile, some argue that an altered state of consciousness may be required to experience a greater reality or the divine, though this is highly contested and not verifiable.
All these considerations conclude that the debate over the existence of God is complex, with no definitive proof or disproof, leaving much to individual interpretation and belief.