: just something besides someone that i dont know saying its a fact.
Would that mean that if someone you DID know said it was a fact you'd believe it? You know the GB. You know the local elders. If they told you something would you take it to be a fact just because you know them? Many of them are known liars, you know.
I'm not trying to be argumentative, btw. If you heard the "real thing" with your own ears, would that convince you? Yes? Good. Be patient, then. You just might get your wish. There are a number of elders who wish to see the society change and one or more of them might just surprise you in the not-too-distant future.
it wouldnt matter much if it was someone i knew or not. after entertaining the possibility that i have been lied to all these years i cant even begin to believe something just because someone (ANYone) says its true. i would have to verify the references that are used, and/or research it somehow. there is obviously no way to know a hundred percent but if i think there is a pretty good possibility that its true thats enough for me to make an educated decision. if there is no way to verify each detail i would look at the source and research what their possible motives could be for exposing something. what do they gain from lying or lose from lying? what do they gain or lose from telling the truth? then i would have to make an educated decision based on them. but if there are no names, places, no references, or details...just a blank statement such as these well there is just as good a chance that its just made up by someone with an axe to grind as there is that its truth. i guess in those cases i just have to leave that alone and neither believe or not believe it. like this story.
