Scot Bastian Ph.D.
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How a Skeptic Gets into Trouble.  Episode 3:  Miracles, Schmiracles.

2/22/2013

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SKEPTIC:  You know, I can understand the attraction of religion—very comforting—but I keep stumbling over the details.

BELIEVER:  What do you mean?

SKEPTIC:   Well, one of the basics of scientific thought is the idea of experimental reproducibility.

BELIEVER:  Yeah, so what?

SKEPTIC:  Take this example; if I put sugar in my coffee, it will dissolve.

BELIEVER:  Obviously.

SKEPTIC:  And if you put sugar in coffee it should do the same.  It should be reproducible, right?

BELIEVER:  Right.  But why do I feel there’s a gotcha coming?

SKEPTIC:  Because there is.  I just don’t believe in magic, that’s all.

BELIEVER:  Now you’ve completely lost me.

SKEPTIC:  What do you think would happen if you tried to walk on water like Jesus?  Do you have magical powers?

BELIEVER:  That wasn’t magic. That was a miracle!

SKEPTIC:  What’s the difference?  Oh, and tell me, what would you say if your daughter came home with a miraculous, magical, virginal, pregnancy?

BELIEVER:  You really are annoying.

SKEPTIC:  Oh, and was Jesus really haploid?

BELIEVER:  What is that?

SKEPTIC:  Look it up—I would suggest a science book. 

BELIEVER:  Arrogant bastard.

SKEPTIC:  I’m just saying--

BELIEVER:  —Well, stop saying.  And leave my daughter out of your stupid arguments.  Why don’t you just go away?

SKEPTIC:   (sigh) It gets lonely in an evidence-based universe.

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    Scot Bastian Ph.D. is a scientist and artist who lives in Seattle WA.

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