No Proof = No Knowledge

[pocaracas]

Can you say "epilepsy??

"Experiences" from 2k+ years ago mean squat, considering the sheer number of psychological disorders currently known to affect people.

Perhaps an epileptic fit can in some cases awaken/heighten your consciousness to a far greater level allowing for an intense mystical encounter of the living God and that's what St Paul experienced on the road to Damascus? Or perhaps it can just drive you a bit nuts/crackers the thing is we don't actually know, you can have a belief either way though.

We don't know, so you pick the explanation that's least likely... sounds reasonable! -.-'

[ChildOfReason]

Okay, so I've been seeing from GC, Lion IRC, etc. that they can't prove that god exists, they just "know".
Here's the definition of "know"
know

nō/Submit
verb
1.
be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information.
"most people know that CFCs can damage the ozone layer"
synonyms: be aware, realize, be conscious, be informed; More

"be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information."

Seems to me you're including all CFC's, you are leaving out information so why should people trust what you are saying. Some CFC's break down before they enter the ozone layer and those CFC's are the ones blamed for the damage of the ozone layer, and those responsible for the banning of those CFC's knew they were wrong about that, now it cost you a great deal more to heat and cool your home be cause of their ... what ever it was.
Now to get to the real question here, I observed and saw, I asked and was answered, God gave me the information I needed to make a decision. You have ignored what I have said, that in no way means what I said was not the truth, your ignorance is no excuse for you missing out on reality.

GC

Now to get to the real question here, I observed and saw, I asked and was answered, the FSM gave me the information I needed to make a decision. You have ignored what I have said, that in no way means what I said was not the truth, your ignorance is no excuse for you missing out on reality.

CoR

[Ryantology]

Isn't it funny how the idea that your life might have no meaning according to a belief system you don't hold has a strong tendency to be the unwarranted concern of people who aren't you?

[Sword of Christ]

We don't know, so you pick the explanation that's least likely... sounds reasonable! -.-'

How do you know it's less likely? What are you basing the likelihood on? Your own opinion?

[ChildOfReason]

Just came back and seems like everything has exploded in argument.
To clarify my argument-
Proof must be determined by one of three things
Observation
Inquiry
Credible Information

Observation doesn't work in arguments for Christianity, because there are so many OTHER religions where people claim to observe THEIR God. The obvious answer here is that none of them are correct. For instance, two people are arguing over whether Car X is Red or Blue. They each have documents "verifying" the existence of Car X. However, one person states "I saw car X the other day, and it was red" while the other states "No, Car X was blue. I know because I saw it".
Obvious answer-Since the "facts" contradict each other, Car X doesn't exist, as there is no real evidence for it in the form of photography, video, etc.

And also, I wasn't claiming that all claims require empirical evidence. Inquiry also works too.

[pocaracas]

We don't know, so you pick the explanation that's least likely... sounds reasonable! -.-'

How do you know it's less likely? What are you basing the likelihood on? Your own opinion?

err... evidence... or the lack thereof!

[Sword of Christ]

err... evidence... or the lack thereof!

How do you obtain evidence that unusual brain activity can result in a direct mystical union with God? Altered states of consciousness do seem to significant to religious practice going back to the dawn of man. So perhaps that's what they were really doing all along why not?

[pocaracas]

err... evidence... or the lack thereof!

How do you obtain evidence that unusual brain activity can result in a direct mystical union with God? Altered states of consciousness do seem to significant to religious practice going back to the dawn of man. So perhaps that's what they were really doing all along why not?

Really?! You go that way?

The very initial conception of after-life can then be attributed to an altered state of consciousness not much different from being high on shrooms, or LSD...
Now tell me how Drug addicts have a direct hotline to god... -.-'

[Sword of Christ]

Really?! You go that way?

The very initial conception of after-life can then be attributed to an altered state of consciousness not much different from being high on shrooms, or LSD...
Now tell me how Drug addicts have a direct hotline to god... -.-'

How do you know a mystical experience induced by an alteration to the state of the brain (an NDE is an example) isn't a real mystical experience of God caused by this alteration in brain state? You know this because you don't believe in God? Just supposing that St Paul had an epileptic fit as you claim. What kind of evidence would you need?

[pocaracas]

Really?! You go that way?

The very initial conception of after-life can then be attributed to an altered state of consciousness not much different from being high on shrooms, or LSD...
Now tell me how Drug addicts have a direct hotline to god... -.-'

How do you know a mystical experience induced by an alteration to the state of the brain (an NDE is an example) isn't a real mystical experience of God caused by this alteration in brain state?

The correct question is "why should I suppose it is?"

Just supposing that St Paul had an epileptic fit as you claim. What kind of evidence would you need?

The same event happening to everyone on this planet, including me. That should do it.... independent verification.