On the lunacy of free will

[Soberman921]

Evidence doesn't matter. . . . I'm really not sure why atheists have such a fetish for evidence.

Evidence matters because it is the common language that allows people of different beliefs to avoid talking past each other. In the absence of evidence, there is no way even in theory to settle questions about the nature of reality. We all use evidence every day to guide our decisions. We use it in our conversations with others. The legal system, which is concerned with resolving questions of fact over what did or did not happen, must be described as having a massive "fetish" for evidence. Evidence is objectively verifiable information, and without it, progress in society would not be possible. I've found the only people that denigrate evidence are those who insist on believing things the evidence doesn't support. But of course these same people continue to use and rely on evidence whenever and wherever it supports other things they believe, so their position is never a principled one. If you want to discount evidence, go ahead. But at least be consistent and avoid using it in any other context ever again. For the rest of us who like living in a world where reasoned discussion is possible, we'll continue to treat evidence as though it matters.