Originally Posted by
jockeys
disclaimer: I speak for no man but myself.
proper evidence would be defined by me as a single, logical, compelling reason to believe. one that is personal, and not hearsay, and certainly not ancient, questionably translated hearsay that is written from a cultural perspective I will most likely never truly understand.
I spent 20 years living as I was taught. 20 years playing for a team I never really believed in. I travelled the world, as a missionary, and to my lasting shame, convinced others that I was right and they were wrong and scared them into believing as I was told I was supposed to. but I never did. dunno why. after all this time, I just think maybe some people have it in them to believe, and be content with it, and others don't; we have to question, we demand logical explanations, and we'll never get them. the concept of God(s) is necessarily non-deterministic. it can't be known, only believed in.
I think that belief helps some people. I've seen it turn the most screwed up people around, and heal broken lives. I've also seen it destroy families, and hurt people beyond repair. I've seen it take promising young people and turn them into slavering lunatics. for the precious few I saw it help, I saw it hurt hundreds.
as so, by their own rule book:
"Matthew 7
<SUP id=en-KJV-23333 class=versenum value="16">16</SUP>Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
<SUP id=en-KJV-23334 class=versenum value="17">17</SUP>Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
<SUP id=en-KJV-23335 class=versenum value="18">18</SUP>A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
<SUP id=en-KJV-23336 class=versenum value="19">19</SUP>Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
<SUP id=en-KJV-23337 class=versenum value="20">20</SUP>Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."
seems pretty cut and dried to me. as I said, there are people it helps, and more power to them. they're blessed. and vanishingly rare, in my personal experience. but whenever I see that unshakeable belief ruining someone's life, it breaks my heart. it's like an abused woman, clinging to her asshole boyfriend because it's all she knows. "he's good for me. he loves me. I deserve it." makes me sick to my stomach with grief and pity. I just don't get it.