Perhaps part of the problem is that you and I have a higher standard for proof and evidence, than other people?
Some people use the word evidence very lightly. I spent a whole semester studying evidence. I've thought about it a great deal. Direct evidence- the evidence of your own eyes, is frequently not that trustworthy- hence the popularity of illusionists. Circumstantial evidence is often horrible- though not always.
I think the problem of what constitutes good evidence along with the problem of how to decide what that evidence proves, divides people who weigh and sift evidence from people who do not. Many people never examine their beliefs at all. They really can't articulate a good argument for why they believe what they do, nor are they very concerned about doing that.
Then there are people who try to articulate a reason but lack the aptitude for doing it very well.
Finally, there come the brilliant religious thinkers who try to articulate some basis for their faith. Most people do not fall into this category.
But all people starting from the basis of belief, and then trying to examine it, are limited by their belief- whatever that belief is. Just like all people are limited by the times they live in.
I am agnostic and am also limited by non-belief. I've never experienced faith-not since I had the magical thinking of a child. I still remember some of that magical thinking- but the memory is not like experiencing it. I enjoy how I experience the world. I love learning. I love living every day, and I can't wait to read my books, or watch a new film, or do something with my children and husband. But I do all this in the absence of belief. I cannot give up what I have, it is simply not in my nature to give over any part of my mind to the control of anything else. I cannot imagine wanting something to be controlling me, in any personal sense. But that said, I realize that I am experiencing a different world from people who have faith. My world is not the same world, and as we see on this thread we have very great difficulties communicating with the faithful. |
