The statement "we are all atheists with respect to every other god" is often used to highlight the idea that each person tends to reject or disbelieve in the existence of gods worshiped by others while affirming the validity of their own belief system. For example, a Christian would likely reject the gods worshiped in Hinduism or ancient Greek mythology, while a Hindu would dismiss the Christian God, and so on.
The argument that this observation supports the validity of one's own belief in their specific god is known as the "argument from inconsistent revelations" or the "outsider test for faith." It posits that if one is willing to apply skepticism and critical thinking to other religious beliefs, they should also apply the same level of scrutiny to their own beliefs.
The argument raises questions about the nature of religious belief, human psychology, and cultural influences on faith. People are often deeply influenced by their upbringing, culture, and community, which can significantly shape their religious views. Some may embrace their beliefs based on personal experiences, inner convictions, or perceived evidence, while others may inherit their beliefs from family and society without much critical examination.
From a philosophical perspective, the fact that different belief systems exist with adherents firmly convinced of their correctness can lead to skepticism about the ultimate truth of any one specific religious claim. It becomes challenging to determine which, if any, religious belief accurately reflects the objective reality of a divine being or ultimate truth.
Different individuals may interpret the existence of diverse religious beliefs in different ways:
Evidentialists: Some may use this observation to argue that religious beliefs are subjective and lack objective evidence, leading them to reject the notion of any gods.
Relativists: Others might adopt a relativistic approach, believing that religious beliefs are true for those who hold them within their specific cultural and personal contexts, without one being objectively superior to another.
Exclusivists: On the other hand, some adherents of specific religions may remain exclusivists, asserting that their beliefs are uniquely true and other religious traditions are incorrect.
Agnostics: Some may take a more agnostic stance, acknowledging the limitations of human knowledge and recognizing that we may never definitively know the ultimate truth about the divine.
In the end, whether someone sees the existence of diverse religious beliefs as evidence for or against their own belief system largely depends on their individual perspective, personal experiences, and the way they interpret religious diversity. Philosophical and theological debates about the nature of belief, the existence of gods, and the validity of religious claims have been ongoing for centuries and continue to be topics of contemplation and discussion.