self confirming evidence
I am concerned by the fact that what I take to be evidence confirming my beliefs depends primarily on the convictions I already hold. What I take to be evidence that points to the existence of God, is held by many to be the strongest argument against God's existence. For example, "the problem of evil" (the fact that evil exists when God has the power and desire to abolish it), is for many people, the biggest hindrance to belief in God. I have also heard it argued, however, that the fact that we can identify something as evil is actually proof that there must be some standard of Good which points to the absolute good in the world which is God.
Of course the way we interpret evidence is no problem if our beliefs happen to be the right ones, but what if that is not the case.
If the framework of beliefs through which we interpret the world determines the way we interpret our experiences, how can we or someone else allow for a gust of unfamiliar air to stimulate new growth?

Just what are your primary beliefs about the existance of evil and the goodness of God? How long have you held them and how have they changed?