Skepticism

Links

I am great believer in the co-existence of wonder and skepticism. You can marvel at a sunset or a bee's behavior or a Beethoven symphony while not having to invent spirits to explain any of it.

Extraordinary claims require (extraordinary) proof.

    Doubt is far greater than faith, it leads to
     investigation which leads to wisdom.
      --- William Blake

Good links:

• Interview with Douglas Adams. I always say I'm a devout atheist. His term "radical atheist" is much better.
• The End of Reason, David Morris, Alternet, 3/31/05
• Celebrity Atheists
• A link to Robert Ingersoll's Why I am an Agnostic, written in 1896.
• The Skeptic's Dictionary: A great web site on skepticism and the false reasoning that leads to pseudo-science and beliefs that are counterfactual.
• JREF's main page: Don't forget to click on the "Pigasus Awards."
• JREF's Challenge: If anyone can actually, and under very reasonable conditions, demonstrate paranormal or psychic powers, James Randi and the JREF will pay over $1,000,000. With so many spoon benders, astrologers, aura readers, Warwicks and Chopras out there claiming these powers, this should be an easy million for somebody. This offer has been around for years and years, and guess what. Despite their faith, few have tried, and guess what. No one comes close to demonstrating said powers.