Seeing is Believing...

After an interesting discussion this week on skepticism and the paranormal, I have come to a grave and unfortunate conclusion: in the eyes of true skeptics, I do not exist.

I don't mean to say that my beliefs are unfounded or my views are ignored. I mean that as a gay male, I am as fictitious of an entity as a phantasm.

According to the American Psychological Association, " There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay, or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors."

In other words, while scientists and experts have diligently attempted to prove the existence of homosexuality in a legitimate, biological manner, they have failed to find any concrete evidence. Therefore, under scientific scrutiny, the existence of homosexuality is bunk.

Following the CFI's method of inquiry, based on the work of Bertrand Russell in his essay, "The Ethics of Belief", :

1. "we should not accept a belief as true if there is a preponderance of evidence against it, or if it is found to be rationally inconsistent with other well-founded beliefs, or both. To cling to beliefs for which there are abundant evidence and reasons to the contrary is irrational. Another application of this rule is reasonable, that is,
2. that we ought not to accept a belief as true if there is inadequate evidence and insufficient reasons to do so, and conversely,

1. we should accept a belief claim only if it is based on adequately justifying reasons and sufficient evidence. A corollary of this is that
2. where we do not have adequate grounds for believing that something is the case, then we should, wherever possible, adopt the stance of the skeptic and suspend judgment."

So, let's examine the evidence, shall we?

There are websites, books, and social groups from around the globe openly discussing homosexuality. These can be quite misleading to the general public. People claim to be homosexual, yet science cannot back up these claims with hard evidence. An abundance of people know of or have witnessed homosexuals, but this is mere hearsay. And then there are the photographs and videos of homosexual people and acts. Seriously, these can easily be faked.

How can any logical human believe we really exist?

As a society, we must learn to be more critical thinkers and not merely follow blindly the beliefs and ideas passed along to us by others.

But don't take my word for it. After all, I'm not real.