So who bases their beliefs on anything other than facts, and why?
From when we are born all we have to go on is our own experience, and what we can call "facts". Which is what you see and what makes sense and is obvious. [alot more detail, but you know what I mean].
So, I believe in myself, this is certainly the only thing I am truly certain of.
However I think it is very probable that the rest of you exist as beings like myself, and that the physical world is as real as it gets. I may well be wrong and it may be a simulation, but I have NO EVIDENCE to base this on and all the evidence points that this world is the true world[even if it isn't].
So, I accept this, rightfully or wrongfully, it is the logical thing to do, and I won't get anywhere thinking otherwise.
Likewise, in regard to our universe, I do not believe in the christian god, as I think it is a ludicrous idea, with absolutely no proof or evidence or anything whatsoever to support it other than what you have been raised to think by your parents and/or what people have told you.
God has not [for the most of you] come to you and described the entire christian religion [or any other religion of a similar fashion, but christianity will be used here, cus its so common] and said "this is the truth".
In actual fact your beliefs are based entirely on what other people have told you, either through what they have brought you up to think, what they have preached to you or what they have written in a book a few thousand years ago.
The difference is I base my beliefs on what I KNOW to be true and what makes the most sense. As this is clearly obvious. I am not saying it may not be wrong, it may be, but from everything I have to go by, it is certainly the most likely option, unarguably.
So what I wanna know, [this is essentially a question to theists, however it is open to anyone] is why you would base your beliefs on what I have detailed above, other people. What they tell you, this exterior input telling you what is true.
Surely all you know to be true is what you yourself have observed? so I assume the most of you have not had a vision or whatever [although some of you may claim you have[In which case I understand to an extent]], so why believe this?? It seems ridiculous to believe what other people are telling you without evidence as truth?! why?!
All you can be sure of is your own experiences! You have not experienced the whole bible taking place, so why believe it?!??! You can of course argue;
"You haven't witnessed Australia so why the hell do you believe it?! *chortle*"
Thing is, There is considerable evidence that Australia exists. There are photos, accounts, a history, hell even NEIGHBOURS. This said again, I cannot be sure that Australia DOES exist. Although it is ridiculously probable, so I go along with it.
With [most] religion this is simply not the case.
So why believe?
-Cus your mum and dad tell you to?
-Cus you had a headrush sometime and thought God was having his way with you?
I dunno, I'm not making an attack, I'm actually interested how you can believe such things.