Robert stated:
I am not going that far but I believe you are in error to think such thinking is complete rubbish. The reason my perspective is different from Burton (I have not read his book), is that for my essay it is not important that the speaker is speaking REAL, CERTIFIED, BONEFIDE, 100 PROVEN EMPIRICAL FACT. I really don't have enough recall memory about very many facts to challenge anyone at the cutting edge of now. HOWEVER, if the speaker or writer presents his statements as REAL, CERTIFIED, ETC., I can consider if the topic is important enough for me to invest the time and effort to verify or rebut his presentation. I may just make a note and plan to get back to it later.
I repeat, I have never said all beliefs are equally valid. I say all beliefs are personal. I agree with you, Chris, and Dwill that all beliefs do not appear equally valid to me. I presume beliefs are valid to the individual or else he/she is a charlatan. (A totally different issue)
I still believe you and Chris need to distinguish the difference between beliefs that are incapable of becoming knowledge (god) and beliefs that are capable of becoming knowledge (empirical science). I have made such a distinction and state it as clearly as I know how in the first chapter of the essay. (Dr. Maartan VanSwaay)
I think that's all for now. L