bcn533 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

By 'antisemitism' he does not mean prejudice against Jews. I have read a lot of Shermer and I can assure you that is not what he means. He just meant the Jewish equivalent of anti-Christianity Americans say. You're right about the atheist point though. But keep in mind that Shermer is just trying to put on the best public face he thinks he can. He is on our side. He has debated explicitly for the proposition that God is man-made and if that is not atheism I don't know what is.

vghy975 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

How disappointing.Since when has the definition of an atheist been one who can *prove* the nonexistence of gods??? An atheist is simply one who does not believe in gods.And on what basis does Shermer link atheism with antisemitism?

metaltermite (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Okay, I misunderstood you. What makes sense and what is put into practice are different though. In my experience most of the faithful I have met are of the gnostic type -- they are certain sure there is a god, they are certain there are ways of knowing a god.

bluebeard2 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Well, I won't cite a study :o)Faith only makes sense within an agnostic belief system. A gnostic system wouldn't publicly require faith; it would instead rely on direct divine revelation (the only way you could really 'know', in the gnostic sense). A gnosis of this type would substantially reduce the amount of faith required (and the 'long dark nights of the soul', of the kind that Mother Theresa felt, would be neither common, necessary or virtuous).

metaltermite (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Bluebeard2, you said, "For example, an agnostic Christian is someone who believes despite having no evidence (ie current Xianity)."Current Christianity? Agnostic theist--believes but admits there is no way the existence of a god can be known. Gnostic theist--believes and is 100% sure.Why would current Christianity be of the agnostic typology and can you substantiate the claim that it is? Citing a study would be good. (Not to be a prick, I'm genuinely curious)

alienmoonbase (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

If the Georgian bigfoot body turns out to be real, he needs to apologize for his overzealous attack of cryptozoology.History will note that Shermer hindered the pursuit of evidence and damaged science in this area.An apology specifically to professor Jeff Meldrum will definitely in order.He is a guardian of clear thought but wrong

SUNIVAG (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

the host looks like hes about o fall asleep...

BrimStone1st (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Nearly everyone is agnostic about everything to some small degree. Nothing is ever absolutely certain. Agnostic/Gnostic relates to KNOWLEDGE, Atheist/Theist relates to BELIEF. The terms are not mutually exclusive. One can be labeled a Gnostic Atheist, Gnostic Theist, Agnostic Theist, or an Agnostic Atheist...Shermer is an Agnostic Atheist. Skepticism and requests for evidence should be the default position of ANY incredible claim. The other choice is some level of naive gullibility.

c6gunner (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

"One of the reasons I'm an agnostic myself... you can't prove a negative, and that kind of annoys me... it's too reactionary, and not logical."So are you also agnostic about the existence of Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy?

mccote (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

He says hes agnostic here, I just watched a video 5 minutes ago where he says hes atheist. Either he changed his mind somewhere along the line, or he doesnt think theres a big difference between the two terms. I would have liked to see Michael be a little less apologetic about his views here, wether they be atheist or agnostic. Say what you really think Mike!