Q: do you, Christian, claim that God exists, rather than you believe that he exists?

[fr0d0]

I'm confused. If you're saying religious beliefs are first person phenomena, I agree. They are real for those that experience them. But why go on about "personal evidence"? Since it is only a passive reflection of your personal, subjective experience .. why assume anyone who doesn't already share that sort of experience will suddenly develop those beliefs based on your testimony? Surely you're not so naive as to think we are all basically the same. Even if we were the same, why assume that what you believe must be what we would believe if we considered it aright? Perhaps the shoe is on the other foot.

You would believe it understanding the same evidence. The only difference is understanding.

It's the other way around... We're defending our understanding against your understanding. I'm not talking about some special gift unobtainable to all but a special few. We're talking about something clear and ordinary, simple enough for a child to understand.

the term "truth" does not apply to strongly held beliefs if they're not rational beliefs

I agree.

You don't appear to be following the discussion. Scientism is an illogical stance, whereas my beliefs are entirely rational.

You assume to know what I believe, and judge it without knowledge. I pay you no such disrespect.

if you were to try to convince the abused woman that she needs to leave the relationship, would you first give her a spiel about what she is and isn't willing to accept?

Yes. Because that is the root cause of the problem you're addressing.