Falsifiability and Unfalsifiability: God Is a DJ
When practicing Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), using the ABC model to dispute various irrational beliefs, I often encounter the matter of falsifiability and unfalsifiability. For context, the American Psychological Association (APA) thusly defines falsifiability:
[T]he condition of admitting falsification: the logical possibility that an assertion, hypothesis, or theory can be shown to be false [not genuine] by an observation or experiment.
The most important properties that make a statement falsifiable in this way are (a) that it makes a prediction about an outcome or a universal claim of the type “All Xs have property Y” and (b) that what is predicted or claimed is observable.
Austrian-born British philosopher Karl Popper (1902–1994) argued that falsifiability is an essential characteristic of any genuinely scientific hypothesis. Also called disconfirmability; refutability. See risky prediction. —falsifiable adj.
An obvious misconception of falsifiability relates to God, which one source defines as, “A supreme deity, supreme being, supreme god, or simply just God (often with capital G), is a deity within theistic belief systems which is believed to be the cause of all things in existence.”
Regarding God, many people substitute belief (acceptance of the truth, reality, or validity of something, particularly in the absence of substantiation) for evidence (something that furnishes proof, as in an observable sign of something). In essence, religious people believe God is real.
However, there’s no credible evidence which I’ve witnessed that verifies the objective existence of God. Therefore, it isn’t a matter of falsifiability concerning God’s alleged existence. Rather, this topic regards an unfalsifiable claim, which the APA thusly defines:
[D]enoting the quality of a proposition, hypothesis, or theory such that no empirical test can establish that it is false. For Austrian-born British philosopher Karl Popper (1902–1994), a theory or hypothesis that is unfalsifiable is to be judged nonscientific. See falsifiability; falsificationism; risky prediction.
Because no scientific tools are able to examine the existence of God, the claim that He’s real regards unfalsifiability. Yet, as occurs when disputing irrational beliefs, people who substitute beliefs for evidence misconstrue their beliefs as a matter of genuine falsifiability.
Ostensibly, I believe X; therefore, X is true, real, or valid. Noteworthy, when listening to an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set by Xenia Torino, I heard her spin the track “God Is a DJ” (2026) by N3dek. On the song, a vocalist boldly declares, “God is a DJ.”
Photo credit, Designed by Magnific, fair use
For context, one source states, “A disc jockey, more commonly abbreviated as DJ, is a person who plays recorded music for an audience.” Given what you’ve read thus far, setting aside the supposed falsifiability matter concerning God, is the claim from the song unfalsifiable?
Of course it is! Even if God hypothetically exists, what business would He have as a DJ? Admittedly a somewhat nonsensical example, these are the types of irrational beliefs people bring to our REBT sessions. Likewise, my mind tends toward unfalsifiable beliefs, at times.
Ultimately, we fallible human beings don’t use perfect methods of thinking or believing. Therefore, understanding the distinction between falsifiable (i.e., rational) and unfalsifiable (i.e., irrational) beliefs may better serve our practice of the ABC model.
If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As the world’s foremost EDM-influenced REBT psychotherapist—promoting content related to EDM, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
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Atharbashir. (n.d.). A dj playing music in the clouds with a dj on the table [Image]. Magnific. Retrieved from https://www.magnific.com/premium-ai-image/dj-playing-music-clouds-with-dj-table_372370260.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=19&uuid=3b1f7f86-3bbf-406c-aaf8-59b0fe7202eb&track=ais_hybrid&query=God+DJ
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