Skepticism

From PhiloWiki

Is skepticism healthy?

Christian views

Skepticism can be healthy. Being skeptical of a used car salesman’s motives can save you money. Being skeptical about your ability to defend yourself in a fight against Mike Tyson can save your life. But continued skepticism in the face of mounting evidence for a Creator is unhealthy indeed, especially when there is a final judgment hanging in the balance.

You and I are like gamblers who bet on different teams. The stakes are high. If my team wins (theism is true and Jesus is mankind’s Savior), then you lose more than you can imagine. If your team wins (atheism is true and there is no eternal existence), then you win nothing and I lose nothing. It seems to me that you lose either way! Unless, of course, you call non-existence a victory. This is Pascal's wager.

Is there any joy in being a cynic?

Resources are needed. Feel free to find and add resources.

Secular views

Secularists do not like the term cynical. The term skeptical is preferred and simply means that any faith system, no matter how reasonable or outlandish, should present some evidence before being blindly followed. Secularists believe Christians are skeptical to secular arguments.

Of course, cynics think that this is all horsepucky.

Resources are needed. Feel free to find and add resources.