Non responsive. Rhetorical.
Nope. I don't watch much TV.
So you base your conclusions on incomplete data. Would you think it fair for me to judge a Christian on so incomplete of data?
Again, rhetorical.
They tried to hoax a sasquatch film. They lied.
And the police and DA's office conduct sting operations. Deception doesn't render someone a liar. They always intended to make the deception known. I can't call them liars based on this evidence.
You are entitled to an opinion. However by your own admission it is incomplete.
The dictionary should explain that to you. Must we read that together, too?
Empirical evidence IS proof.
Yup. You really need someone to read the dictionary to you, don't you?
{sigh}
Evidence
–noun 1. that which tends to prove or disprove something; ground for belief; proof.
Now,
there IS the dictionary definition. Please to tell me how evidence is mutually exclusive of proof based on the definition.
Yet, in their humanity, they too have preconcieved "beliefs".
But unlike many, and perhaps most, skeptics are far more aware of their "beliefs" and biases and work to guard against them. It is something we think about a lot. I used to fall for all kinds of marketing ploys and telemarketers and pseudo science without critically thinking about them. Now I don't. It is that simple. Instead of simply relying on intuition the skeptic seeks proof of claims. That is the difference.
Just like almost all "skeptics."
Yes, of course. We can all be fooled. This is something known to skeptics. It was discussed at length at last years TAM. In fact, an experiment was conducted to show how magicians can be fooled.
Please, don't get me wrong, of course skeptics and scientists can be fooled. That is not may point. My point is that we are far less likely to because we are skeptical.
Oh, and all people are skeptical to a point. Christians are skeptical of other religions and other Gods. Skepticism is built into most if not all humans. The difference between skeptics and most humans is that skeptics understand the dangers of relying on intuition and work to hone their skepticism.
Of course, so question everything and everyone as much as you can. We of course must make assumptions and rely on our intuition in everyday life. We can't function very well if we abuse skepticism and question everything all of the time. It is when unusual claims are made or our quality of life or our money is at risk that we must be extra careful and be skeptical.
Let me guess, your skeptical of skepticism. That's rich.