Evidence for Believing

[Lek]

Why don't you just be nice to me once?  Then I'll have a heart attack and be out of your way.

I am being mean to you so you won't have an heart attack.   I think I deserve a little thanks and appreciation here.

Ah, I see. Thanks then.

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Yeah.  I don't think you're going to find the kind of method you're looking for.  It's too bad because it seems that's what is holding you  back from believing.  I can see that, though you don't believe, you are willing to be open to it and I respect that.

Well then, any rational reading of the situation, would be, that, if your god does exist, he is purposely hiding from a fairly large (and growing) segment of his creation.

What other conclusion can I make, based on what is being offered to me by you, and other theists? And that is all I have to go on, because a god certainly hasn't made his presence known to me.

Your god gave us brains that are capable of observing the universe, and able to develop the best method (demonstrable evidence, reasoned argument, valid and sound logic) for discerning fact from fantasy, then makes himself invisible from this method.

And who does he seem to make himself detectable to? The credulous and gullible. And to make things even worse, the credulous and gullible can't even demonstrate that they aren't being credulous and gullible.

I can see that, though you don't believe, you are willing to be open to it and I respect that.

I do appreciate this sentiment.

But let me add, the vast majority of atheists I have communicated in person, and online, are also open to being convinced.

The methods he endowed us with are to be used to get us through our lives in this universe. To gain unity with the being who is beyond our natural universe, we must rely on him who doesn't always operate by natural methods.