And you certainly have a good point. This is similar to someone asking me to prove God scientifically...I can't. To me, it is apparent and doesn't need explanation. Faith. The arguement then becomes; well, the Islamic followers have faith. Yep, but do their works look Godly? Then the question becomes; well, which god? I say the YHWH, then the question becomes; which interpretation of YHWH? On and on and on.
I look at a group objectively from the outside. Look at the Islamic faith. What type of fruit does this belief bear? In my opinion, not good fruit. Others may see it differently, I am sure.
"For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit." The Islamic tree doesn't bear good fruit. But since this is from the new testament, it may not be divinely inspired anyways, right?
As far as it being a personal experience...is an earthquake a personal experience? Sure, but it is also shared with many others. The same is true with the presence of God. It is not just personal. More than a special feeling, it is a presence. Maybe me using heart was a bad use of words. Either way, it doesn't matter; I am convinced, as are you. But I will say that you have very valid points that can be very difficult to dispute. However, I dispute them becuase of my beliefs. God is quite capable of making sure we got a good book. Also, I did not seek out religion, God called me. "Was He loud?" Nope, just as gentle and as subtle as can be... This wasn't something that I was born into, it wasn't forced upon me, and I didn't seek it. He came and got me...and that is personal.
Thank you for the good discussion. My only point was that, yes indeed God is capable of making sure we got His Book. He entrusted it to His Church, and it is on the testimony of the Church that any of this is believed.
SD