My Skeptical Views

Detective Joe Friday from the hit series, Dragnet, sums up what I’m mostly interested in.

In short, I believe in what can be proven. Let look at a few definitions:

Belief is defined as confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/belief).

Faith is belief that is not based on proof (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/faith)

Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirituality).

Religion is a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/religion).

Knowledge is defined as acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation; general erudition (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/knowledge).

Wisdom is defined as the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/wisdom).

Agnosticism is an intellectual doctrine or an attitude affirming the uncertainty of all claims to ultimate knowledge (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/agnosticism?s=t).

Pantheism is the doctrine that God is the transcendent reality of which the material universe and human beings are only manifestations: it involves a denial of God’s personality and expresses a tendency to identify God and nature (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pantheism?s=t).

Humanism is a variety of ethical theory and practice that emphasizes reason, scientific inquiry, and human fulfillment in the natural world and often rejects the importance of belief in God (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/humanism?s=t&ld=1087).

The Scientific Method refers to a body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. To be termed scientific, a method of inquiry must be based on gathering empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method).

Burden of Proof is the requirement that the plaintiff (the party bringing a civil lawsuit) show by a “preponderance of evidence” or “weight of evidence” that all the facts necessary to win a judgment are presented and are probably true. In a criminal trial the burden of proof required of the prosecutor is to prove the guilt of the accused “beyond a reasonable doubt,” a much more difficult task. Unless there is a complete failure to present substantial evidence of a vital fact (usually called an “element of the cause of action”), the ultimate decision as to whether the plaintiff has met his/her burden of proof rests with the jury or the judge if there is no jury. However, the burden of proof is not always on the plaintiff. In some issues it may shift to the defendant if he/she raises a factual issue in defense, such as a claim that he/she was not the registered owner of the car that hit the plaintiff, so the defendant has the burden to prove that defense. If at the close of the plaintiff’s presentation he/she has not produced any evidence on a necessary fact (e.g. any evidence of damage) then the case may be dismissed without the defendant having to put on any evidence (http://dictionary.law.com/Default.aspx?selected=109)

Folks, believe what you will. I just hope that it helps you become a better person. However, before you accept and promote something as “THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH,” make sure to refer to the above-mentioned definitions.