(September 24, 2013 at 4:34 pm)gilbertc06 Wrote: Rational people dismiss the whole thing entirely unless the claimer gives evidence. The claimer can wholeheartedly believe something. Unless he provides evidence it isn't considered any further.Yes, and testimony is evidence. We assess, among other things, motivation of those offering testimony. So far we haven't heard testimony re: gnomes, but there is testimony re: god in the Bible.
Quote:You have done no such thing. Like you said yourself, accepting physical punishment for a belief does not make it valid. Just because someone actually has done so in your belief and none has done it in the gnome belief only chalks up one more idiot to your religion than the gnome believers. Bravo.Again, while refusal to recant a claim in the face of negative consequences does not prove the claim, it does make it stronger than a claim which is quickly recanted.
Quote:What argument are you talking about?The argument that there's no difference in support for grass-growing gnomes and the god of the Bible.
