The Making of a Skeptic.

[Citizen_Offen]

I've studied the psychology of skeptics and I have determined that many of you, as children, were fooled or forced into believing such things as Magic, The Easter Bunny, Religions, Santa etc. And as you grew older and came to the realization that these things were a fallacy, it sadly, turned you into a person who believes in nothing but bodily existence. Myself, being a precocious child, was never forced into believing anything I described. I have no particular beliefs in anything although I'm interesed in skepticism and the paranormal in a impartial way. Now I don't know if there is life after death however, one must contemplate the uselessness of life if there's nothing that comes after it.

 

[The_Fire]

I've studied the psychology of skeptics and I have determined that many of you, as children, were fooled or forced into believing such things as Magic, The Easter Bunny, Religions, Santa etc. And as you grew older and came to the realization that these things were a fallacy, it sadly, turned you into a person who believes in nothing but bodily existence. Myself, being a precocious child, was never forced into believing anything I described. I have no particular beliefs in anything although I'm interesed in skepticism and the paranormal in a impartial way. Now I don't know if there is life after death however, one must contemplate the uselessness of life if there's nothing that comes after it.

False.
First mistake: Assuming that Sceptics doesn't believe in anything. Not all sceptics, including myself, are atheists and as such believes in a greater power which by some are considered as unreal as Santa Clause.

Second mistake: Assuming that I, or any other member of this board, ever believed in Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny etc. or were at any time forced to believe in such people.

ETA:
Third mistake: Assuming that only a belief of a life after death makes life worth living.

ETA2: Added the quote of the OP.

 

[Citizen_Offen]

False.
First mistake: Assuming that Sceptics doesn't believe in anything. Not all sceptics, including myself, are atheists and as such believes in a greater power which by some are considered as unreal as Santa Clause.

Second mistake: Assuming that I, or any other member of this board, ever believed in Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny etc. or were at any time forced to believe in such people.

ETA:
Third mistake: Assuming that only a belief of a life after death makes life worth living.

I was referring to hardcore skeptics such a James Randi and Michael Shermer.
They fit my conclusion perfectly.

 

[The_Fire]

I was referring to hardcore skeptics such a James Randi and Michael Shermer.
They fit my conclusion perfectly.

Evidence?

 

[Citizen_Offen]

Interviews.


Third mistake: Assuming that only a belief of a life after death makes life worth living.- I never said that.

I actually said- one must contemplate the uselessness of life if there's nothing that comes after it. Contemplation is different than actual beliefs.

 

[Lord Muck oGentry]

Now I don't know if there is life after death however, one must contemplate the uselessness of life if there's nothing that comes after it.

A bit like kissing, then...

 

[The_Fire]

Interviews.


Third mistake: Assuming that only a belief of a life after death makes life worth living.- I never said that.

Source/transcript links?

ETA:
Made the "devils" post.

 

[The_Fire]

I actually said- one must contemplate the uselessness of life if there's nothing that comes after it. Contemplation is different than actual beliefs.

Which is also saying that if life isn't a usefull thing then it isn't worth living.

ETA:
After all: If there is no reason for existance, then there is no worth in it either.

 

[Citizen_Offen]

Source/transcript links?

ETA:
Made the "devils" post.

I actually have them recorded on tape, sorry I don't have the time to tranfer them to Mp3 for you.

 

[Citizen_Offen]

Which is also saying that if life isn't a usefull thing then it isn't worth living.

Life is definitley not useful although I didn't say it's not worth living.

 

[The_Fire]

Life is definitley not useful although I didn't say it's not worth living.

Which was my point.
ETA as I only now saw post 9:
Then attempt to find an online transcript. You will find that the request of evidence are a typical thing on this board. Especially when one posts conclusions......

 

[Citizen_Offen]

Which was my point.
Now about those source links......

Sorry don't have the time, But my conclusion about skeptics was accurate. Regardless of what you ask or say, interview them yourself and ask them about there childhood. And you will come to the same conclusion. Nuff said.

 

[The_Fire]

Sorry don't have the time, But my conclusion about skeptics was accurate.

According to whom?
You have supplied no evidence.
You have made an assumption covering a LOT of people based on what? 1-2 interviews?
You are no making your case believably here.

 

[The_Fire]

Sorry don't have the time, But my conclusion about skeptics was accurate. Regardless of what you ask or say, interview them yourself and ask them about there childhood. And you will come to the same conclusion.

That doesn't fly. Other people were put through the same "santa doesn't exist" trauma without becoming sceptics.
And you are still assuming that all sceptics doesn't believe in ANYTHING.

 

[Ersby]

Now I don't know if there is life after death however, one must contemplate the uselessness of life if there's nothing that comes after it.

I'm doubtful about life after death, but either way,I don't see how that would change the wonders of the physical universe, or the joys of a friendship, or the rollercoaster of life. In fact, I've always found this attitude of "if life isn't eternal, what's the point?" to be fairly disgusting. What people usually mean is "if I'm not eternal, what's the point?" It's a massive display of self-adoration and an unwillingness to accept the true beauty of the universe in which we live simply because you are unable to see yourself reflected in it.

 

[Ducky]

I've studied the psychology of skeptics

Great. When will you be publishing your findings in the APA Journal? Or is this for a doctoral dissertation? When can we read your findings with source cites?

and I have determined that many of you, as children, were fooled or forced into believing such things as Magic, The Easter Bunny, Religions, Santa etc.

Oops, almost had me there. Name a kid that isn't tracked into believing magic? Isn't that why kids love watching magicians?

And as you grew older and came to the realization that these things were a fallacy,

Yes. This is what happens when you turn to evidence based reasoning.

it sadly, turned you into a person who believes in nothing but bodily existence.

No what turned me into that was evidence. More accurately the lack thereof to support belief in anything but a "bodily existence."

Myself, being a precocious child, was never forced into believing anything I described.

Because of how smart you were? Lemme guess, your mom told you you were special alot, right?

I have no particular beliefs in anything although I'm interesed in skepticism and the paranormal in a impartial way.

Nope. The evidence thus far is that you are trolling. You are a believer posing as a true skeptic(TM) here to explain to all of us simpletons what your great insight into skepticism is, and why our lack of belief in an afterlife is in error. I bet the next sentence you have will be a foot in the door for apologetics on the afterlife.

Now I don't know if there is life after death however, one must contemplate the uselessness of life if there's nothing that comes after it.

Ding!

How about this, before I believe you are not a troll, you must provide evidence that your studies into us skeptics and our childhood are on the level. Cite what school you are at, what course of study this project is for or what journal you will be publishing your results in. Provide links to sources, and if this is a professional venture, please provide evidence you are in fact a professional psychologist/psychiatrist.

Anything less proves you didn't actually study anything, you just read some stuff and came to a conclusion while surfing the net one night.

 

[T'ai Chi]

It must hit home.

 

[Mojo]

Yeah, unsupported assertions do that around here.

 

[jon]

I've studied the psychology of skeptics and I have determined that many of you, as children, were fooled or forced into believing such things as Magic, The Easter Bunny, Religions, Santa etc. And as you grew older and came to the realization that these things were a fallacy, it sadly, turned you into a person who believes in nothing but bodily existence. Myself, being a precocious child, was never forced into believing anything I described. I have no particular beliefs in anything although I'm interesed in skepticism and the paranormal in a impartial way. Now I don't know if there is life after death however, one must contemplate the uselessness of life if there's nothing that comes after it.

What - are you saying that the Easter Bunny doesn't exist

 

[Ducky]

What - are you saying that the Easter Bunny doesn't exist

He used to, until the Tooth Fairy collected the money for offing him offered when Jesus put a hit out on the furry jerk for stepping on his holiday.