Why not deism?

[chimp3]

My level of trust would be based on the claim. 

If the claim is mundane: "I went to the grocery store today" I may take them at their word. There may be a receipt or video evidence but why would I give a shit? 

I expect reality to be consistent. The dead do not return to life. Humans do not regenerate lost limbs. Horses do not fly. If someone were to make such a claim I would expect extraordinary evidence. I would also be unable to verify that evidence so would insist the claimant take their claim to experts and I would await their report. As far as subjective religious experiences, cornball anecdotes hold little weight with me. Their god can come impress me personally if it chooses. It would know what would convince me.

So if a bunch of your friends said they saw a horse flying around, you would say, no way, not unless I personally saddle up that flying horse, will I believe.

It's certainly not an unreasonable position. It would only get to be adamant and obstinate if they then take you to the flying horse, which you see circling the treetops, and then you assume it must be some sort of hallucination, because that sort of thing just doesn't happen.

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No different. I would hope that the expert witnesses would support their argument with scientific data. I would hope the expert witness was not taken at their word just because they are considered an authority.

If you did not personally observe and verify that scientific data, then you are trusting them at their word. Judges are forced to do this sort of thing often, and yes they are sometimes led astray, and sometimes with tragic consequences.

Unfortunately in the court setting the prosecution and defense get limited chances to "prove" their case. Fortunately we have an appeals process which might reverse an unjust ruling. However, re: scientific claims, we can observe the peer review process which is ongoing. 

As far as flying horses scenario, if it was the seventies, and you knew my friends and I, evidence would not be an issue.

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These two are fucking with you, Chimp.

Time to fling the poo?

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These two are fucking with you, Chimp.

No. I realize this is the Internet and everyone is a suspected troll. But I'm being sincere and am genuinely curious about what atheists believe — or just generally what people think about things; that's why I'm here.

Just so you know, I work as a Registered Nurse. I am sitting at my desk at home reading the new 2020 guidelines for ICD-10 coding. (2020 starts for me October !st). Preparing for a huge change in the Medicare payment model. I studied intro Political Science, Anthropology in college. Mostly Psychology and Biology. If you want deep philosophy there are those onboard that can provide that. I am an atheist because I don't believe the believers and their silly anecdotes. I am not seeking to be convinced.