Anecdotal Evidence

[bennyboy]

Here's the thing, RR.

You are trying to generalize into a principle a kind of evidence which, at best, has value in specific circumstances.  I can't speak for anyone else, but since I know you are Christian, I suspect it's a slippery slope argument-- "Well if SOME anecdotal evidence has value, then anecdotes should be one of the kinds of evidence that we consider (in the case of religion)."

Ok... can you define the specific circumstances, and justify the reasoning behind the difference?

I said that AT BEST, anecdotal evidence has value in specific circumstances. I'd say for example if several people who don't have any connection to each other identify a criminal as having a particular tattoo, then the police should probably start looking for a guy with that tattoo. But even then, you must proceed with caution.

As for reasoning, please understand this. The bar required for evidence depends on the receiver, not on the person providing the evidence. There's no golden standard by which you get to announce that others must necessarily accept your word at face value.