The only evidence Abrahamic religion has is testimony—a pesky little confirmation of hormones goaded by hope and imagination, rewarded with a backslapping “good job” by merely believing—then assimilating.
Absence of evidence is evidence of absence. The results of Christianity isn’t one that can be measured. It is personal conviction that struggles to put into words what the believer himself thinks is crazy, but once you believe your own “personal” story, it open up a serious can of worms. The obligatory nature of spectral evidence (testimony) now should give validity to all perceived paranormal activity. It makes it habitual, but makes it even more crazy. Humans will believe anything. See, you really can’t understand my own personal experiences with god, but you are expected to believe my own personal experience from god (unless that experience is Muslim, Hindu, or other) That’s where Satan lurks.
Testimony is a system of believing the quirks of human neurology are divinely inspired. Fact, is not only the simple answer, but also more interesting. Our galaxy of electrical neurons occasionally mis-perceive, shut-down, cleanse, reboot, reroute, imagine and dream. The grand-mal seizure, the head injury, the near-death experience, trauma, crisis, divorce, loss of a loved one, etc, all put pressure on the neurons, which is gods way of introducing jesus to unbelievers. Wouldn’t having open dialog about our neural quirks without invoking the supernatural be a good exercise in tremendous growth to answer the questions how and why.
The second, second-hand way to god is through lying. Carefully rewording any story to inspire conviction in others causes another backfire in the confusion of our own neuroniverse. Why haven’t I had a visitation? Does god not love me? Am I not chosen? Am I doing something wrong? Am I a sinner? “I am not even worthy to latchet his shoes”. So, eventually through peer pressure we wind up praying for what we want. The neurological implications of praying for what you want to believe is a near guarantee you will get the belief you want. Prayer, deep consolation, meditation, group prayer (ugh, everybody hold hands) is at first a very uncomfortable feeling. Trust that instinct. But as you see around you, the smiles, the hugs, the tears, the joy of the dervish, compels you to want more, even though it’s a sickening display of self inadequacy and recurring shipwreck.
The third second hand is the tic, tic, tic, of your life passing you by living a system created by someone else, fine tuned by someone else, for someone else. As every institution grows it becomes more flawed, more corrupt, and religion has led this way. Breaking down it naturally gets more outlandish as they try to hang on. Religion is way over due for an undo.
Dopamine—one of several inner connections to god…that is real evidence.
TheCommonAtheist 