[Arryn]

Desthai, religion fails the "reasonable doubt" test, nevermind the "shadow of a doubt" degree of proof. I had to say that first to get it out of my system.

The fact that science tests itself, and theories change to fit observations, is a strength, not a weakness. Besides the logical fallacies of most religions, they also have the serious flaw of not adapting to new knowledge.

Time for another analogy: You and I are friends. I have no reason to lie to you, and (knowing this) you have no reason to distrust/doubt what I tell you. Over the span of many years I tell you all sorts of things about my past. You believe my stories, for you trust me (and trusting me, you never check a third party to see if what I say is true). One day, it so happens that you discover something that sheds doubt on something I've told you. You confront me. (Very brave of you to go against your long tradition of trust.) I insist that what I said is true. You show me proof that I am wrong. I do not accept your proof. You walk away thinking that either I am not mentally sound, or I'm an obstinate liar. Either way, you now question to yourself what else I might have told you that isn't true. Had I admitted to being mistaken, you *might* convince yourself that what you discovered was a unique event and that your friendship remained solid, despite whatever nagging doubt(s) you might have. Alas, you can no longer trust me, for I have deceived you and I am unwilling or incapable of distinguishing fact from fiction. I either deceive you deliberately, or I'm self-deluded and insist on sharing that delusion with you.

So it is with most religions. They have no credibility.

Do you drive a car, or fly in airplanes? If so, you are placing an enormous amount of trust (enormous as in your life) in science, as well as in the skill of other drivers and mechanics. The reason you can get away with this is because the engineering these objects are based on is backed by meticulously-tested science (unless you are one of those rare people who think cars are powered by tiny demons trapped inside the engine who drink gasoline and fart continuously).

BTW, attacking the attacker is what the weak do because they are unwilling or incapable of defending their own position. It's an attempt to throw the opponent off-balance so that you don't have to test your own defenses. You hope that you can keep your foe busy enough that he doesn't plow through the holes in your position.