I don’t know find much to quibble with above except to say that it is not up to you or me to pass judgement on whether or not others are being deceived in ALL situations where the supernatural is being invoked.dastardly stem wrote: ↑Wed Sep 21, 2022 2:22 pmMy theory is those who believe in God and say they do so because of what's happening inside them, aren't giving sufficient reason to think there's a God. Additionally somehow that often grows to their religion is true, which is another can of worms to open up. Meaning we might be kind enough to grant someone's internal workings as giving reason to think there's a higher power, but that people tend to take their internal hopes and desires as God telling them their religion is true seems like quite a leap.
If, though, someone's internal workings are simply them deceiving themselves then personal claims of God being in them is really just people elevating their emotions, hopes, desires, and such to God. Nothing more. The data seems to favor that hypothesis over there really is a God hidden to us all but somehow inexplicably pops up in people's desires when they feel really compelled to find him there. It seems to me we're all too prone to confuse ourselves and trick ourselves to think our hopes and desires aren't the driver here. We too easily convince ourselves of silly things.
I think whatever burden there is resides within ourselves. It’s as the Apostle Paul said, something to the effect that we work out our OWN salvation with fear and trembling. The onus is NOT on believers to work out the salvation of someone else. We are each individually accountable to the Creator.dastardly stem wrote: ↑Wed Sep 21, 2022 2:22 pmWith that said, i'd say the burden remains on those who believe and it feels too easily mistaken to use the ad populum fallacy (not that anyone has done that). We're all getting God beat into us our whole lives. Even kids raised in atheist homes get it beat upon them from all corners (I know, 'cause I ask my kids). Some try to argue that's just more proof of God, because why else would people accept the information getting beat into them? Or something. I don't find that a balanced perspective.
Regards,
MG