MJPB: "Sorry if I’m being slow but surely belief that there is no God is a belief. If someone hadn’t formed a firm belief on the issue wouldn’t they be agnostic?"

I'll take your logic further: I don't believe in god or gods

and I don't believe in elves, santa claus, easter bunny, hobbits either.

Therefore, MJPB, you must mean that I am agnostic about all of the above.

ERIH

Fractelle, I've seen this: cache.virtualtourist.com/1/896835-Hobbit_village-Hinuera.jpg

And I've seen this: www.smh.com.au/news/science/survival-of-the-biggest--hobbits-wiped-out-by-man/2007/01/28/1169919213365.html

But I ain't never seen one of these: graspingthecross.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/jesus-throne.jpg

There is more evidence of hobbits than of Jesus.

I don't know about Hobbits but I have definitely seen Orcs in various localities: you almost always see a few in shopping malls for example. Plus I'm a doctor (of physics) so this must count as a stat dec :-)

Interesting posts, everyone!

To answer the question:
As an atheist, I'm happy to wait for the evidence patiently.
IF there is any evidence that could make me believe in a God, I suppose that it will be revealed to me when I'm brain dead.

Patience is a virtue, which should get you into heaven- if there is one.

But there is a book about a Hobbit Fractelle. :)

The religious do not seek evidence to believe why would they seek it to be swayed the other way. There is already no evidence for the existence of God - the belief in God relies on faith alone.

One day we will be dead and it will be what it will be.

To answer gw's question, I guess if a God, a Genie or an elf appeared to me and threw in a couple of miracles I might rethink my position on a few things. Or check that I hadn't eaten a couple of stray mushrooms or a funny looking cookie at the local market.

Due to the erudite and convincing nature of the above posts, I declare that I am agnostic about hobbits and am quite ready to believe in them when I see one.

Many thanks

;-)