Meeting with Bishop: Faith is a Choice

[_mikwut]

Hello Buffalo,

Evidence is anything that tends to show signs or indications toward the proof or probability of something. Evidence exists for all sorts of things that might be true or might not. Your use of the word is not helpful and begs the question, i.e. what is the evidence to warrant belief in God?

Even the definition you provided, which isn't the theological meaning of the word, utilizes proof not evidence. They are vastly different.

regards, mikwut

[_Buffalo]

I don't believe in anything without good evidence, ergo have I have no faith of the sort you exercise. But solipsism is basically admitting that you have to deny objective reality itself in order to make room for your viewpoint. It's an admission of defeat on your part.

Nonetheless, how do you know that your perception of reality corresponds to actual reality?

Because it is the one backed up by the evidence. If your world view can't survive the evidence and you have to retreat into Solipsism in order to deal with it, you've lost. When your theology needs reality itself not to exist in order to survive, it's over.

[_Buffalo]

Hello Buffalo,

Evidence is anything that tends to show signs or indications toward the proof or probability of something. Evidence exists for all sorts of things that might be true or might not. Your use of the word is not helpful and begs the question, i.e. what is the evidence to warrant belief in God?

Even the definition you provided, which isn't the theological meaning of the word, utilizes proof not evidence. They are vastly different.

regards, mikwut

There is no evidence that there is such a being as God. I'm aware of the difference between evidence and proof, but we're a long way from talking about proof. It'd be nice if you even had the tiniest scrap of evidence, but you don't.

[_Drifting]

Hello Buffalo,

Evidence is anything that tends to show signs or indications toward the proof or probability of something. Evidence exists for all sorts of things that might be true or might not. Your use of the word is not helpful and begs the question, i.e. what is the evidence to warrant belief in God?

Even the definition you provided, which isn't the theological meaning of the word, utilizes proof not evidence. They are vastly different.

regards, mikwut

There is no evidence that there is such a being as God. I'm aware of the difference between evidence and proof, but we're a long way from talking about proof. It'd be nice if you even had the tiniest scrap of evidence, but you don't.

Buffalo, Mormons have proof of God but you stubbornly refuse to accept a warm tingly feeling in the stomach as God affirming He exists.... ;-)

[_Buffalo]

Buffalo, Mormons have proof of God but you stubbornly refuse to accept a warm tingly feeling in the stomach as God affirming He exists.... ;-)

Silly me. I got that same feeling at the end of Return of the King. I guess I didn't realize it was the Holy Ghost testifying that LOTR is true!

[_Hoops]

Because it is the one backed up by the evidence. If your world view can't survive the evidence and you have to retreat into Solipsism in order to deal with it, you've lost. When your theology needs reality itself not to exist in order to survive, it's over.

Yes, my son. Your faith in that which you can not know is indeed strong.

[_Buffalo]

Because it is the one backed up by the evidence. If your world view can't survive the evidence and you have to retreat into Solipsism in order to deal with it, you've lost. When your theology needs reality itself not to exist in order to survive, it's over.

Yes, my son. Your faith in that which you can not know is indeed strong.

It's like playing hoops with a quadriplegic.

[_Hoops]

It's like playing hoops with a quadriplegic.

You still refuse to answer the question that remains. So, yes, it is indeed.

[Guest]

Buffalo,

There is no evidence that there is such a being as God.

Yes there is. I can respect differing judgments regarding the strength or weakness regarding the various evidences but to say there is none is absurd and ignorant and it detracts from intellectually satisfying discussion.

I'm aware of the difference between evidence and proof, but we're a long way from talking about proof. It'd be nice if you even had the tiniest scrap of evidence, but you don't.

Oh good grief. My and many others religious experience is clearly and unquestionably 'evidence'. Just how are you using these terms if your so familiar with the difference? I go into Court all the time and opposing counsel and myself know the reality of the situation - but we still have to address the evidence that both sides have and present. In some of the most feeble and ridiculous of cases evidence exists that needs to be addressed conclusively. To say there exists evidence is different from the judgment regarding the evidence. I understand you dismiss the evidence but to say there is none is contrary to reality. There simply would be nothing to talk about if there actually was zero evidence. The wouldn't be a ability for our cognitive faculties to even form a belief (even if it were wrong) regarding God. I simply do not understand this cliché ridden attitude.

mikwut

[_Buffalo]

It's like playing hoops with a quadriplegic.

You still refuse to answer the question that remains. So, yes, it is indeed.

I answered your question. Reality is that which is backed up by the evidence. Fantasy is that which is posited without evidence.

Hush now. Adults are talking.