Why not deism?

[Simon Moon]

Creation is not intervention?

If we accept that creation is like a mechanism capable of independent operation (ie it's more like a clock than a march box car), then there is no requirement for continuous intervention.   In such a case, it seems to me a deist god is just a god that let his creation that runs by itself for a longer stretch of time than other ideas of god.

A Diest is just a theist who doesn't think it is right to cry for mommy whenever the light is turned out, but is still comforted by the notion of a mommy.

The Abrahamic god routinely intervenes in the Cosmos (at least according to the manuals).  In theory, then, it should be at least possible to find some evidence that this meddling has taken place.  One would not expect to find such evidence if the Cosmos was created by a god who stopped at creation and then went its merry way.

Exactly.

Theists make all sorts of testable claims. Miracles, communication with a god, gods as authors of ancient texts, healings, answered prayers, prophecies, etc.

These are all testable claims.

Hell, most theists (Christians especially) are running around claiming to be little "god detectors". That is a testable claim.

But the fact is, theists die at the same rate as non theists, get sick as often, have remissions as often, are no more happy, no more wealthy, etc, etc.