If you believe that you have a personal relationship with a specific God, how can you be sure that it's not a delusion?
Any belief that is founded upon evidence is subject to the possibility of future evidence being discovered that would render one's belief false. But, if one's belief is founded upon faith, then there is no amount of evidence that could make one revise their belief. A faith-based belief begins in the mind (soul), and since it has not been founded upon evidence, it cannot be overturned by evidence. This seems to be quite different from misconstruing reality. For if one holds a belief that misconstrues reality, one is willing to revise that belief when the evidence presents itself (ie. world is not flat, it's round). A faith-based belief cannot be overturned by evidence, as it appears subjectively true in the mind of the beholder, and from the belief holders perspective, and a third party, it is indistinguishable from a delusion. If one is delusional, they hold an unwaivering conviction of certainty that is only strengthened by confirmation bias, and is immune to evidence to the contrary. This is true in all cases, and not just religion.
Keeping in mind all of the conflicting claims being made around the world of personal relationships, with exclusive Gods, made by individuals that are all absolutely certain that the others are wrong-How does one reconcile this crippling flaw in logic? It seems quite obvious at this point that-either one is right, and all others in the world are either lying or delusional-or they are all mistaken. To say they are compatible is intellectually dishonest. Clarification is required.
Any belief that is founded upon evidence is subject to the possibility of future evidence being discovered that would render one's belief false. But, if one's belief is founded upon faith, then there is no amount of evidence that could make one revise their belief. A faith-based belief begins in the mind (soul), and since it has not been founded upon evidence, it cannot be overturned by evidence. This seems to be quite different from misconstruing reality. For if one holds a belief that misconstrues reality, one is willing to revise that belief when the evidence presents itself (ie. world is not flat, it's round). A faith-based belief cannot be overturned by evidence, as it appears subjectively true in the mind of the beholder, and from the belief holders perspective, and a third party, it is indistinguishable from a delusion. If one is delusional, they hold an unwaivering conviction of certainty that is only strengthened by confirmation bias, and is immune to evidence to the contrary. This is true in all cases, and not just religion.
Keeping in mind all of the conflicting claims being made around the world of personal relationships, with exclusive Gods, made by individuals that are all absolutely certain that the others are wrong-How does one reconcile this crippling flaw in logic? It seems quite obvious at this point that-either one is right, and all others in the world are either lying or delusional-or they are all mistaken. To say they are compatible is intellectually dishonest. Clarification is required.
