Would seeing a ghost be enough evidence for an atheist to believe in God?

Question

Many people have seen them, and in plenty of cases, the same ghost was seen by multiple people. Were all of those people wrong? Were they all hoaxes, hallucinations, or misperceptions? The same applies to UFOs. Many pilots have seen UFOs. They were either all lunatics or liars, or there's more to this universe than we can prove at present. It's a BIG universe out there, and this one may not be the one and only.

Remember that identifying even one true ghost would be proof of an afterlife. Many people have even had extremely vivid out-of-body experiences when they were very close to death (even seeing details in their surroundings that they shouldn't have been able to). I could also talk about the need for a prime mover when the universe originated, but I won't because I don't want to get off subject.

I'm not trying to be combative, so please answer honestly.

Answer 1

Occam's Razor holds in such cases. In the case of ghosts, since the only evidence is anecdotal, then it is a much simpler explanation that the people were either lying, delusional, just misinterpreting what they were seeing, or the victims of hoaxes than for there to have been actual supernatural occurrences. And in the case of near death, the evidence points to that being an occurrence inside the brain

Answer 2

There is no evidence in the Bible to substantiate the belief that souls of dead people roam the earth. Demons and angels are not souls of dead people, but are separate beings created before humans. Demons are angels that Satan, formerly Lucifer, brought with him as he rebelled against God. As for your main question, an atheist would find a way to explain away any so-called supernatural phenomena. (I can picture Richard Dawkins in my head lecturing about it right now.)

Answer 3

No way in h**l,I believe in all kinds of the paranormal and no God!

Answer 4

I don't believe in gods, or ghosts. UFOs may be possible, due to the many universes. Out-of-body--no way!

Answer 5

No.

It is like asking if would eating an orange be enough evidence for a farmer to believe durians grow in Iceland?

Totally irrational.

Answer 6

I thought I talked to my dead friend for an entire day...turns out post traumatic stress is A LOT stronger than I thought.

me= KOO KOO

Answer 7

probably not, that because they saw a ghost, why assume its God's doing?

Answer 8

Actually ghosts and UFOs could be the deceptive work of fallen angels/spirits.

Answer 9

nope no god or ghost..i will just think its time to refill my meds

Answer 10

Seeing a ghost does not prove an afterlife.  Even if it did it does not prove the christian god or any other god.

Answer 11

If I thought I saw Bigfoot would that be evidence that the Weekly World News was really quality journalism and that Bat Boy was real too?

Or would it be evidence that my friends have way too much time on their hands and are having fun with me?

Answer 12

Uh, no.

Infact, it's kind of the opposite...

Answer 13

No. Even if we did see a ghost, how would you know that that was some link to life after death? And as for UFO's, even the most respected person can be fooled. I believe the universe is filled with life, I just don't think Earth has ever been visited, not even once. Maybe observed but never visited.  

Answer 14

so now gob created ghosts

-u people are unreal

gimme a break!

Answer 15

Only if it's the Holy Ghost.  

Answer 16

As none of those people have been able to provide one shred of objective evidence for their claims, then yes, the more rational conclusion is that they are all wrong.

IF you could find objective evidence for a ghost, then let us know. Until you do, your question is meaningless.

Oh, since you also fail to provide one shred of evidence for the "need" for a "prime mover" for the Universe, that claim also fails.

Answer 17

No. Seeing as how ghosts don't exist, since there is no afterlife.

Sorry if that came out rudely, I tend to be a little too blunt.

Answer 18

Faith unfortunately isn't something you can prove.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmrevhzVc...

Even with complete logic you can not reason with someone who does not want to believe in God.  

Answer 19

If you see a ghost/UFO, Why would you believe in dog?

Answer 20

No, but it would be enough to convince me of the existence of ghosts (which also don't exist).  

Look at the evidence objectively.  There are umteen ghost hunter shows and they never, ever catch anything conclusive.  A blip or dust particle or white noise slowed down to sound like something is not conclusive.  It is creative, but not conclusive.  

Answer 21

Listen t the words of this song.....you will understand...i hope!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDZFf0pm0...

Answer 22

Respectfully, if either God or ghosts do not exist, that would make your question meaningless. And since atheists believe in neither, the question is illogical.

I'm sure you don't believe in Santa Clause (to use a trite and over-done example). Suppose I asked you, "Would seeing reindeer on your roof on Christmas morning make you believe in Santa Clause?" That would be just silly, wouldn't it? It is the exact same concept as your original question.

Since the claim that God or ghosts exist is so extraordinary, extraordinary evidence is required to prove their existence (the same is true with UFO's and aliens). So far, such evidence has never been presented or scietifically analyzed. So God, ghosts, UFO's and aliens remain in the realm of possibility, but in no way proven.

Answer 23

it could be schizophrenia, many people with this disorder believe they see things that they swear are real. i personally don't believe in ghost. i believe once you die that's it there is no beyond. only dirt and bugs. your soul returns to god.

Answer 24

pssht. seeing a ghost would prove exaclty the opposite: that god didn't exist..

cuz seeing a ghost would mean that our souls aren't going to heaven, they're staying down here on earth..

Answer 25

If I saw something like a ghost, and I was sure I wasn't dreaming or hallucinating, I would accept that I saw it, but I wouldn't assume it to be proof of anything other than itself.  What says ghosts are human spirits in the afterlife?  Couldn't they just as easily be another form of life altogether, perhaps interdimensional energy beings that can shape shift and take human forms?  And I really don't see how a ghost could be construed as proof of god.