how do you forgive yourself?

[Jeffonthenet]

If I had an atomic watch it was highly unlikely that I was mistaken. Likewise, it could be that one could have a bona-fide experience of God and with it would come the certainty similar to that of having an atomic watch. I cannot produce the experience and likewise I cannot produce the watch.

The problem here is that our brains are so flawed and biased that an experience of god could never come with absolute certainty. You may believe that your experience is certain, and it may seem very real. People that hear voices in their head are also certain that they are outside influences penetrating their brain, but in reality, it is just their brain playing tricks on them.

Any personal experience of god could most likely be your brain going awry.

Faithnomore, I appreciate the reasoned response. However, I would say that absolute certainty about something is not necessary to justify belief in that something. I think you also run into the danger of presupposing your conclusion as from the fact that our brains can play tricks upon us, it doesn't follow that all experience of God is a trick. It seems to me that this argument may also be used for one to be skeptical about any belief you hold as it can always be said that this belief may be false because our brains play tricks upon us.