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I wanted to contribute to the discussion by highlighting an early example for the praise of neglecting the need for empirical evidence, as depicted in the book of John (20:24-29) in a seen following the resurrection of Jesus:
“But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”
In a way, the New Testament is telling the disciple here: you have a better chance in life if you refrain from questioning and attempting to disprove what you are hearing. So we have an early transition point from religion being provable to religion being beyond the need to proof.