Anecdotal Evidence

[bennyboy]

There's no such thing as anecdotal evidence. Anecdote is not evidence. Period. It's absolutely bullshit to say that our most important life decisions are based on hearsay... our most important life decisions are based on following either our head or our hearts. Period.

Of course there's such a thing as anecdotal evidence. How many times have you seen a thread started by an atheist along the lines of Should I date a theist, or Should I tell my parents/co-workers I'm an atheist? How do people answer? They give their personal experience, or sometimes that of a friend - anecdotes.

And half of the anecdotes are likely exaggerated or made-up bullshit.  This isn't really evidence-- it's a narrative with a point.

See, if you used Jesus' example from the NT as evidence that it is right to behave a certain way, then I'd look at the idea of it-- I'd imagine someone stepping in to stop a woman from being stoned, put myself in her place, and say-- "Yeah, that's right.  Tolerance is better than intolerance."  If you used the same exact story as evidence that God came to Earth to teach tolerance, I would be unlikely to accept it as credible evidence.

The stories these people tell about relationships are plausible narratives, and the reader will base their merit on the idea they reveal, not on their actual truth.  If I say, "I dated an Asian girl, and she was a great lover!" you won't need a video proving it.  You'll find the narrative credible enough, and possibly put in on your bucket list to do some verification of your own.