Final answer:
Empirical evidence for the existence of a deity is beyond the scope of materialism since deities are not physical entities. Reports of religious experiences and psychic phenomena, while potentially indicative of a spiritual realm, cannot conclusively establish the existence of a deity without ruling out other explanations. The burden of proof lies with those claiming a deity's existence, and without concrete evidence, such a belief remains within the realm of possibility rather than proven fact.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to the philosophical and theological discussion surrounding materialism, empiricism, and the possibility of empirically proving the existence of a supernatural deity. Within the framework of materialism and empiricism, knowledge is confined to what can be observed and measured through our senses or instruments. Since a supreme being or God would be non-physical by nature, such an entity would remain beyond empirical verification. The question touches on the validity and reliability of psychic phenomena and religious experiences as potential evidence for a spiritual realm and subsequently a deity. However, these reports often have alternative explanations that provide strong reasons to doubt their veracity as proof of a supernatural existence. Thomas' empiricism holds that we can only know God indirectly, as the Necessary Cause of what we experience in the natural world, and not through direct empirical evidence.
Additionally, the burden of proof in such philosophical debates rests on those making the affirmative claim. In this context, the claim being that a supernatural deity exists. Thus, unless reports of phenomena like miracles, apparitions, and religious experiences are convincingly shown to be true, and all alternative explanations are ruled out, they cannot rationally compel belief in a deity. The absence of evidence for a deity, therefore, does not prove that one does not exist, but it also does not provide any probability of existence when alternative explanations are available.