Moving the Goalposts

This fallacy changes what would count as proof once the proof has been given. The kick is good, so the goalposts move.

The day after Jesus fed five thousand people, the crowd came to Him and asked, "What sign then will You perform, so that we may see it and believe You?" John 6:30 They had eaten the bread the day before.

The scribes and Pharisees asked the same: "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You." Jesus answered that "none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah." Matthew 12:38-39 He meant His own death and rising.

When Evidence Is Not the Problem

In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man begs for someone to go back from the dead and warn his brothers. Abraham answers, "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead." Luke 16:31

Sometimes there is plenty of evidence, and the harder question is whether we want it to be true.

A Fair Question

A good question for any conversation is this: "What would change your mind?" If the answer is "nothing," the talk is no longer about evidence.

It is a fair question to ask ourselves, too.