I am a Saganist

[Simon Moon]

Welcome aboard!

Glad you cleared up that 'faith in science' thing. I threw up in my mouth a little when I first read it.

Sagan had a lot to do with my skeptical views, also. I might be a Saganist.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Hi,

This is the first forum I've joined in about 8 years. Reading Carl Sagan in my teens is why I put my faith in sceptical enquiry and the scientific method.

I hope to engage in debates about interesting subjects so I can refine my own beliefs about the world around me.

Speak soon...

Carl Sagan was the guy I discovered at 16 who rescued me from the lost track of mysticism I was chasing after I lost my Christian faith. His dictum, "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof," is a guidepost in critical thinking, to my mind.

[Tea No Sugar]

Glad you cleared up that 'faith in science' thing. I threw up in my mouth a little when I first read it.

Yeah, sorry about that. I can see how a 'faith in science' sentiment when making an introductory post can appear facetious. This is the problem of communicating through written language; there is a distinct lack of tone and context. The author has a duty to be vigilant.

Anyway. It's great to see people like FAF using their critical faculties. I'm all for that; we should question absolutely everything. From hereon I'll be sure to choose my words more carefully.

Thanks again, everyone. I look forward to learning with you all...

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Carl Sagan was the guy I discovered at 16 who rescued me from the lost track of mysticism I was chasing after I lost my Christian faith.

That's fantastic. I was lucky enough to have a non-religious upbringing so when I was introduced to Carl Sagan, he instilled a profound scepticism in me which has never wavered.

[ignoramus]

That's fantastic. I was lucky enough to have a non-religious upbringing so when I was introduced to Carl Sagan, he instilled a profound scepticism in me which has never wavered.

So it's safe to guess that you're not from the middle east or the bible belt?

[Tea No Sugar]

So it's safe to guess that you're not from the middle east or the bible belt?

Nah. I'm from the far north of England; touching the border of Scotland. More specifically it's the English Lake District.

[Sejanus]

You're just using some pretty loaded words is all. Apologies if you're joking, but we get all sorts of nutters around here, and calling Sagan (or any other person) your God and saying you have "faith" in science is similar to some of the stuff we see trolls doing around here.

Woooow! Sorry for any confusion, FAF. Allow my to clarify: "Saganist" is just a play on words; no more than a nod to the late Carl Sagan. To speak of him as a god was merely a joke. Sagan was an advocate of sceptical thinking and wrote extensively about tackling the many psuedosciences of the world. The question of the existence of deities was something he wrote about extensively from the viewpoint of a contemporary scientist. He was very sceptical.

Of course, the word "faith" has numerous functions. In this context I meant faith insofar as I believe sceptical enquiry is the best tool we have for exploring the nature of the world around us. I didn't mean it in the religious sense.

Apologies again for any confusion! I can see how it may have appeared almost trollish. If I was familiar with the general vibe of the forum then I would've chosen my words more carefully. I presumed most people would have made the Carl Sagan connection and understood the implications.

Thanks.

I seem to be one of the few that knew what you meant. C'mon guys...

[Losty]

Wow apparently I have been seriously slacking and my job as cookie giver has been taken by some dude who thinks they're called biscuits. :'(
I am deeply saddeneded

Well anyways I haz Flying Spaghetti Monster cookies if you're interested. And also, welcome to the forum. I think you will fit in just fine here

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Ps. I prefer coffee, but I agree with you on the no sugar thing.

[KichigaiNeko]

[Fidel_Castronaut]

Ah, finally a chap who understands that tea does not require sugar.

Kudos to you, sir.

[Ben Davis]

Wow apparently I have been seriously slacking and my job as cookie giver has been taken by some dude who thinks they're called biscuits. :'(
I am deeply saddeneded

They are called biscuits. Not my fault that US common use has betrayed you

Although FSM cookies are full of win. May I have one?