Why Do Atheists Not Move Goal Posts in Debates?

A frequent accusation leveled at atheists in religious and philosophical debates is that they are "textbf{moving the goal posts}textbf{"}. This critique suggests that atheists are ever-changing in their stance or unreasonably adjusting the terms of the argument to suit their beliefs. However, a closer examination reveals that it is often the theists who shift their arguments, frequently out of a lack of concrete evidence or logical reasoning.

The False Narrative of Goalpost Moving

The assertion that atheists move the goal posts is often a strawman argument, designed to make atheists the villains in an discourse that is inherently imbalanced. In reality, it is the theists who frequently adjust their positions and expectations, which can appear to others as goalpost moving.

Atheists are consistent in their worldview. They do not believe in any form of gods or supernatural entities. This stance is unchanging and clear. Conversely, theists are often caught in a cycle of unproven assertions and shifting positions, a fundamental characteristic that appears as "moving the goal posts." This behavior is more accurately described as the result of a lack of evidence or flexibility in belief.

Projection and Misunderstanding

Another factor contributing to this perception is the psychological phenomenon known as "projection"", "failedToLoadScript": "Unable to load script to expand JSON content.