Danoff
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- Mile High City
I would say that "proof" is different from "reasoning". I'm in my basement, getting my game on, and my buddy comes over and says, "Hey, it's nice out side, lets get our mountain bikes and hit the trail!". I have no proof that he is telling me the truth, but I have reason to believe him and I go upstairs.
You're using belief colloquially. It is not used that way in religion. This is semantic sleight of hand. I'm not saying you're doing it on purpose, but that's what it is.
"My buddy says bigfoot is on my porch, but I won't see it unless I believe it, with every fiber of my being, and know, as deeply as one can know, that bigfoot is there".
It's circular. If you believe as deeply as religion commands that bigfoot is on your porch, you will see bigfoot. Because otherwise, you did not believe as deeply as was required.