I find that my skepticism and atheism helps my outlook on the world. Every once in a while an errant thought will come to mind, whether it's from a conspiracy nut on the TV, or whatever. And when that happens, I use my seven magic words: "What evidence do I have for that?" And if the answer is "None," I drop the idea and go on with my day.
If it wasn't for my rational outlook, I wonder if I'd be a raving lunatic, following the conspiracy o the moment.
It occurred to me recently that all of the major religions are hundreds or thousands of years old because that's when they were relevant. People yearned for ways to understand the world around them, and, in the absence of verifiable information, superstions arose and some of them grew big enough to become religions. Now that information is everywhere relying on solely on belief is less and less tenable. Believers are still numerous, but the non-believers are gaining momentum. In the US, the "Nones" have risen from 16% to 23% in just the last few years. The "Under 35" folks are like a tsunami that is rising to challenge role of religion in our culture. They are the ones who are driving the rise of the "None" percentage. The operant question is shifting from "Does God exist?" toward "Is religion relevant?"
I oft think of Shermer's first question. When you hear someone claim something, first ask "Who thinks they are full of shit and why?"
Look at both sides before you begin to form an opinion on the matter
I need to practice that. My 22 yr old is a conspiracy theorist. I get all this stuff fromhr all the time.
Share those and I'll help debunk them
Two internal thoughts when presented with weird stuff: 1. Can they prove it? 2. Would I care if they could?
Exactly. Or,m in other words, "Does this fill an inner need in me that is not rational?"