> I believe it has more to do with people wanting to believe for whatever their
> reasons are, and through this desire discarding critical thinking. We tend to
> interpret reality in terms of our expectations.
That's just not the case with me.
>
>
> Yeah, and the bad part about it is that nobody rational will listen to
> testimonial evidence without corroboration - and its gotta be pretty excellent
> corroboration for such astounding hypothesis which I am sure you are just
> dying to talk about.
The lack of corroborating evidence is the reason why it pisses me off so much.
>
>
> You can talk until you are blue in the face, but still all you have done is
> talk.
I had my reasons. It bugged me that people posted reasons why I believed, and they were all wrong. Had to clear it up.
> If that's the case, it's a pretty cruel predicament that this Jesus
> person seems to have put you in - making you want to talk about it so much,
> and then not giving you a leg to stand on.
True. It sucked.
> If it was me, I'd say "tough
> luck", and not bug my neighbors about it too much.
That's my position now. If my experience reflected anything real, He's gonna have to produce something tangible.
>
> My mother-in-law had some very "real" hallucinations under the influence of
> Darvicet after her last operation. She had no problem understanding later
> that they were not real.
If I could live out your mother's hallucinations, I could tell you if they have any similarity to my experiences. Obviously, I'm unable to.
>
>
> >>I have had that experience.<<
>
> Unclear referrant - "that". Are you a rat? Did somebody pick you up out of
> your rat cage? Did you meet some man who told you that he was "Jesus Christ"?
> (I've met a few of them too).
Subjectively, yes. If it was external as my story, I probably wouldn't be doubting it.
>
>
>
>
> Which experience? It may be a trick of your brain that you aren't being
> clear. If you have had an hallucination, perhaps it would be good to
> recognize that and consider the causes of it. Many drugs - both legal,
> perscription, and illegal - can do this.
The precursor to my conversion had some elements that would enhance a hallucinatory experience. I was in mental agony at the time regarding the meaning of the universe. I was also isolated, suffered from sleep deprivation and lack of nutritional intake. Believe me, I have considered this as being the culprit to deception.
>
>
> The evidence is definitely not shrinking. All of the "evidence" in favor of
> it has been testimonial, erroneous, or outright fraudulent. After this
> millenial fever subsides, there will be fewer pieces than ever to gather up.
I am looking forward to Jan. 1st. If nothing happens, it'll be another nail for the coffin of my death-bed faith.
SG