What We Accept

What determines what we accept are three things -- conditioning, evidence and desire (I'll call it CED).

Conditioning is what we get from our life experiences.

Evidence can be both objective (empirical) and subjective (dreams, answered prayer, etc.).

Desire is basically sourced by our instincts. We desire to survive, have sex, eat, etc.

This natural "trinity" governs how we think -- and the package is very dynamic. It can change with a phone call, a dream or a scientific breakthrough.

True facts, provable with empirical, demonstrable evidence are rare -- even in science. For every foundational fact, there are hundreds of extrapolations, probabilities and just plain guesses that are built upon that foundation. The foundational fact lends credence to these, but does not ensure they are correct. (Yes, Virginia, scientists use faith every day -- they just don't want to call it that.)

We each choose what we want to accept based upon our personal CED. This CED may closely resemble another person's (such a child with a parent), but it will always be unique to the individual. For any person to adjudge another person's CED by their own is egotistical, arrogant and frankly impossible.

The Christ said, "Who art thou to judge another man's servant?" I would humbly add -- or belief.

Truth is, when considering all that is and how it got here, no one knows for sure. That does not prevent (nor should it) a firm faith or belief in a Creator or a lack of one.