Scientific knowledge versus spiritual knowledge

[God of Mr. Hanky]

I might have a bit more respect for theism if theists would just call a spade, a spade.  Theist says to me: I have knowledge that God exists.  I know he exists because:  I have experienced him, personally.  He has shown himself to me, personally.  His existence is self-evident to ME.   How can the theist think he has obtained actual knowledge regarding God's existence if the only way he can pass it on is to just TELL people, "it's true, because I have experienced it, and I have decided that it is true, and I am telling you that it is."  How can he regard his believe as anything but individual testimonial? 

This is how you know theism is no better than any common scam - if those who stand to gain the most from it called a spade a spade, then nobody would follow them and they'd all be unemployed.