Steve asked:

Is Atheism logically untenable?

Given that it is impossible to prove or disprove the existence of God then is it not untenable and
illogical to take an atheistic stance?

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Must we keep an open mind about God, even those of us who are sceptical about the grounds for
theism?

Let me first give some examples of things I personally do not feel I need to keep an open mind about.
You may or may not agree:

I do not need to keep an open mind about whether it is possible for someone to predict events that
will happen in my life by observing the movements of the planets and stars, or reading the lines on
my palm.

I do not need to keep an open mind about the claims of Scientology.

I do not need to keep an open mind about Hitler's responsibility for the Holocaust.

Isn't it irrational of me to be dogmatic, when there are people who believe in astrology and palmistry,
or in Scientology, or in Hitler's innocence? — Just because people believe something — perhaps lots
of people — just because the available evidence does not logically rule outthe possibility that their
belief is true, is not in itself sufficient reason for suspending judgement. My argument is if you allowed
that such considerations were sufficient for suspending judgement, "just think what the consequences
would be".

As someone who in his youth proudly professed Atheism, I would argue that theistic belief does not
(as I once thought) fall into this category. Beliefs about Astrology, Palmistry, Scientology or Hitler are
mundanebeliefs, concerning things or events inthe world. Theism is an attitude, a stance to the
world as a totality.

When it comes to the question of the ultimate ground of our existence, we are all profoundly ignorant.
All that is left is the practical decision — the existential choice — whether to live in fear of God.
However, existential choice still leaves us with three possibilities: we can choose to embrace theism;
we can postpone the choice and profess agnosticism; or we can choose to embrace atheism.

In these terms, I would argue, the atheist option is neither untenable nor illogical. What the atheist
has and the agnostic lacks, is something akin to religious faith. For those who find such faith
supporting and life enhancing, that is sufficient ground for belief.

Geoffrey Klempner