For a long time I was convinced, that people defining themselves as atheists and as skeptics really do mean the absence and freedom from irrational believes. I assumed, that they know, what they are talking about.
But lately I have got aware that there are many skin deep atheists and partial skeptics, whom I would consider as pseudo-atheists and pseudo-skeptics.
According to statistics, there are by far more people believing in irrational nonsense than those, who are free from such beliefs.
An example: http://nsf.gov/statistics/seind02/c7/fig07-22.htm
My mindmate is someone sharing with me intellectual intimacy based upon the rationality of not having his thinking distorted by irrational beliefs. This is very important to me.
Therefore I have compiled a check list of some of the weird beliefs, that a real skeptic and atheist with rationality and intelligence refuses to even consider. The focus of this list is on beliefs, that either defy science or are not plausible enough as scientifically consistent common sense. I am omitting preternatural beliefs, that are only extremely improbable, but not an outright fallacy of rational thinking.
The list is certainly not complete. It is not an easy task to remember all the nonsense, which is insignificant to me, as long as its consequences are not forced upon me. But if someone does not hesitate to perceive every item on the list below as nonsense, then this is a strong indication of his being free also of any other irrational belief.
My mindmate is someone sharing with me intellectual intimacy based upon the rationality of not having his thinking distorted by irrational beliefs. This is very important to me.
Therefore I have compiled a check list of some of the weird beliefs, that a real skeptic and atheist with rationality and intelligence refuses to even consider. The focus of this list is on beliefs, that either defy science or are not plausible enough as scientifically consistent common sense. I am omitting preternatural beliefs, that are only extremely improbable, but not an outright fallacy of rational thinking.
The list is certainly not complete. It is not an easy task to remember all the nonsense, which is insignificant to me, as long as its consequences are not forced upon me. But if someone does not hesitate to perceive every item on the list below as nonsense, then this is a strong indication of his being free also of any other irrational belief.
My mindmate is someone, whose spontaneous reaction to EVERY of the following statements is the exclamation:
NONSENSE!
Existence of Entities
- one god
- many deities
- the devil
- hell and heaven
- angels
- ghosts, spirits and/or poltergeists
Existence of Powers
Supernatural powers like
- cosmic powers
- mother nature
- chi
Healing and Health
Healing and/or prevention of illness is possible beyond the placebo effect by
- religious faith of oneself and of others
- homeopathy
- magnets
- feng shui
- reiki
- therapeutic touch
Soul and Body
- The soul continues to exist when the body dies. There is a life after death.
- Reincarnation is real. All people have past lives and people can be punished for something done in a past life.
- Some souls can’t rest until unfinished business is settled.
- The soul can leave the body and look down on upon it, when a person is in between life and death, or during a period of unconsciousness (out-of-body experiences).
- During altered states, such as sleep or trances, the spirit can leave the body and travel (astral projection).
Gaining Information
Information about people's life situation, personality and future can be gained by any method of
- clairvoyance
- palm reading
- numerology
- astrology
- tarot cards
- crystal balls
Knowing the Future
- Astrology is a way to accurately predict the future.
- Some people predict real events in the future by pre-cognitions, prophecies, or premonitions.
- Divine beings give messages about the future.
- Dreams are often warnings to be guided by.
- The end of the world can be predicted by prophets.
Information Exchange
- Telepathic communication is possible, some people can send ‘mental messages’ to others or influence them at a distance.
- It is possible to communicate with the spirits of the dead. The dead can get in touch with the living through a medium or during sleep.
- A black cat crossing the path brings bad luck.
- The number “13” is unlucky, number 7 is a lucky number.
- Opening up an umbrella indoors brings bad luck.
- Breaking a mirror brings bad luck.
- Thinking negative thoughts can have tragic consequences.
- Spilling salt is bad luck, but it can be reversed by throwing salt over the left shoulder.
- Curses, love and luck spells do work, they are cast by the use of formulas and incantations.
- Voodoo dolls work.
- Dowsing is a method to find water.
- Praying is a method to achieve goals.
- Little rituals are a method to ward off negative influences.
- Certain people who are born with special “powers”. Some are real witches, and black magic can be effective.
- Some people can re-shape or bend objects using only the power of their mind.
- Some people have psychokinetic or telekinetic powers. They are able to levitate (lift) objects or themselves or influence the movement of physical objects by thoughts or mental forces without touching them.
Events
- Disturbing an ancient Egyptian tomb will cause a curse.
- Aliens abduct people or insert devices into their bodies.
- Some crop circles were actually created by aliens.
