Challenge

[Sai]

Thanks very much for the warm welcome leo, you made my entrance a bit less awkward XD !
And thank you for your questions, EvidenceVsFaith!
Naturally, I'll try my best to provide you with some answers !

if in general, when we decide whether something is true or not, we require evidnece, why should we make an exception here?

I wouldn't say that I make an exception. Some things can't be comprehended consciously, but can be understood emotionally and spiritually. Empiricism is a great way of finding material truth, but even though it's a very precise and reliable method for that realm, I don't think it's wise to conclude that it is the one and only way. In fact, I can turn the question around: do you require evidence for every little facet of life? I'm sure you don't - we constantly trust and believe in what our body and our soul tells us. But once the consciousness gets "trained" to work with evidence, it begins to deny the other ways of finding truth.

Because how can you say it's insane to take the bible absolutely literally and then go on to say that you do however believe, and are certain, that EVERYTHING in the bible is true and infinitely valuable? How do you reconcile that? Can you elaborate on that please?

Taking the Bible literally is synonymous to looking at it through the lens of empiricism. It doesn't work, it's like hammering a nail in with rubber. Yet, it's what even so-called believers continually attempt to do.
I think it's a lot like looking at a long mathematical formula and expecting it to make sense if you read it like a novel. You won't have much fun with that...
And in the case of the bible, the truth in it must be experienced and felt, not analyzed like a factual document. It should be looked upon more like a piece of art or music and not like a history book. The way to read it properly is innate to us, but I think it can't be forced or taught in sunday school or at church (actually, trying to teach it makes it usually only harder to understand). That's why so many people falsly use it for immoral ends... and it's also why Jesus wasn't a big fan of churches.
Just like it's insane to try to read the theory of relativity like a suspense novel, it won't get you far if you take the bible literal. But if read properly, you will find an enormous amount of value in both.

I hope that cleared things up a little ! Thanks so much for participating in my "challenge"!

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I challnge your belief. What is your question?

I'm not entirely sure what you mean - would you like me to challenge your belief before you challenge mine?
If that is the case, I don't know what you believe, so...