How sure should we be?

O.J. Simpson was found not guilty of killing his wife in a criminal case and yet he was found liable for her death in a civil case. This is because the burden of proof is different in criminal and civil cases. The burden of proof is the responsibility (burden) of giving evidence (proving) that what you are saying is true. If you don't have any of the burden of proof, then as long as the other side doesn't do a good job of proving then you get what you want. In criminal cases the state must show that it is beyond a reasonable doubt that a person is guilty, but in civil cases (suing-related cases, involving money not jail) the plaintiff (the person suing) only needs to show that a preponderance (over half) of the evidence indicates that the defendant did what they are accused of. So it isn't unreasonable for there to be enough evidence to find someone "not guilty" in a criminal case but "guilty" in a civil case.

Though we might not like that O.J. Simpson didn't go to jail, it is comforting that the state can't put me in jail simply because there is some random evidence that makes it look 51% likely that I commit a crime. We generally think it is better to occasionally let a guilty guy off than to occasionally put someone innocent in prison (though I could finally find time to write a book if I went to prison).

The point of all that was to show that it matters who has the burden and how high the standard of proof is. Now I'll talk about how that applies to government programs and to keeping God's commandments.

With regard to implementing government programs, I believe that the burden of proof should be on those advocating the program. Those who are advocating an expansion of government will tend to recognize and feel the benefits of the program more clearly than they recognize the costs that are imposed on everyone in their country as a result of the increased bureaucracy and taxes.

This doesn't mean that advocates of government programs are always wrong, but that we should expect evidence that shows that it is really likely that the program will be effective before we implement the program. Unlike most organizations and individuals, government is forceful, and so we should expect more than 51% certainty before expanding its power. For example, there are a lot of ways that people can become educated, ways that don't involve extra taxes, and so I think that it should be very clear that additional funds to public education will work before the funds are given. The lack of clear evidence that increasing funds to public education always works makes me wonder if we are too quick to accept the implementation of more of those programs.

When we are deciding whether to live our lives more in harmony with God's teachings, what is the burden and standard of proof? How proven does a commandment need to be before we decide that it is worth doing everything I can to live it? Do I need to prove for myself that the commandments are meant for me, or does God need to prove it to me?

I have never regretted an attempt to put my life more in harmony with God's teachings, even when it has required some sacrifice. Deciding to take time for God and swallow my pride has always brought me peace, expanded my knowledge, and created deeper relationships in my life.

It is important to ask questions so that we are not misguided, but expecting that every commandment will make sense beyond a reasonable doubt may not make sense if we already have a deep testimony that God loves us and wants what is best for us.

This past week I had to decide whether to prepare for and be attentive to a general conference that my church had. I really was not sure that doing so would pay off, and had to decide to prepare and go despite God not proving to me the importance of doing so. In God's goodness, He blessed me with great spiritual knowledge during the conference.

I know that God lives, and that by pressing forward (going to church, keeping the commandments, etc.) during times of trial we will learn far more than if we always place the burden of proof on God.