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tergiversant
Skeptic Friend
USA
284 Posts |
 Posted - 11/05/2001 : 09:28:05
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Poll Question:
What political viewpoint are skeptics generally biased towards?
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Poll Status:
Locked »» |
Total Votes: 0 counted »» |
Last Vote:
never |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
 Posted - 11/05/2001 : 09:53:05 [Permalink]
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I think that to view a subject from a truly skeptical viewpoint, you've got to go in 'clean'. Politics cannot be allowed to color the perspective. Otherwise we are as worms and slugs, following blind instinct, rising and disappearing opposit of the sunlight.
The more I learn about people, the better I like rattlesnakes.
Edited by - filthy on 11/05/2001 10:06:40 |
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NubiWan
Skeptic Friend
USA
424 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2001 : 11:17:21 [Permalink]
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Would think, that a true "skeptic," would face political questions on a case by case basis. Am currently a Librarian.., er, Libertarian, but am not a "slate" voter.
"If we believe absurdities, we shall commit atrocities." -Voltaire |
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tergiversant
Skeptic Friend
USA
284 Posts |
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Gorgo
SFN Die Hard
USA
5310 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2001 : 11:47:51 [Permalink]
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"No Bias" means staunchly conservative.
Lisa Lisa, sad Lisa Lisa - Cat Stevens |
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Tokyodreamer
SFN Regular
USA
1447 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2001 : 11:48:13 [Permalink]
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That's kinda a tough question, as my perspective only includes relatively few skeptics (compared to the total number, I'm sure!). I would have to say that in my experience, there are mostly two kinds: Libertarian-leaning and liberal-leaning.
I often wonder if the reason why alot of skeptics have left leanings is simply because religion is equated with the right, so they are getting as far from that as possible, thus identifying with the left. In other words, they aren't so much for the left, as against the right.
The politics section of the infidels.org forum when I was there (before I left in disgust) was a big Libertarian vs. Liberal flamefest.
Personally, while one can nitpick about specific policy ideas, I think Libertarianism in general is the most rational and reasonable of the idealogies.
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Sum Ergo Cogito |
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tergiversant
Skeptic Friend
USA
284 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2001 : 12:36:37 [Permalink]
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TD,
I agree with everything you just said. This is the first time I've ever done that online.
I do have a request for more info, though...
quote:
The politics section of the infidels.org forum when I was there (before I left in disgust) was a big Libertarian vs. Liberal flamefest.
I love it there, the philosophy and religion forums are highly sophisticated, with loads of references to the foremost experts in current thinking, and the occassional drop in by the experts themselves. Why, pray tell, did you become disgusted with the politics forum?
"Nihil curo de ista tua stulta superstitione."
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Espritch
Skeptic Friend
USA
284 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2001 : 14:06:10 [Permalink]
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I chose liberalism because I think most skeptics lean that way. Of course, in an idea world, most would be in the no bias camp, but in the real world a total lack of bias is almost impossible.
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ZaphodBeeblebrox
Skeptic Friend
USA
117 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2001 : 23:03:14 [Permalink]
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quote:
I chose liberalism because I think most skeptics lean that way. Of course, in an idea world, most would be in the no bias camp, but in the real world a total lack of bias is almost impossible.
Yeah, me too. Moreover, American Liberalism, even Libertarianism to a lesser degree, currently occupies the Political Centre, at least as far as the rest of the World, is Concerned.
I know, I know, the Taliban shouldn't be held up as Paragons of Virtue, either, but they do Contrast quite well, with the People's Republic of China's, so-called, Progressive Communism. You should also remember, that the Global Community considers Abortion, a Fundamental Human Right. Eat that, Ol' '54 VW!
If you Ignore Your Rights, they WILL, go away. |
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ZaphodBeeblebrox
Skeptic Friend
USA
117 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2001 : 23:05:32 [Permalink]
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Woo Hoo!
My Second Star.
Bushy can Eat That, too!
If you Ignore Your Rights, they WILL, go away. |
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gezzam
SFN Regular
Australia
751 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2001 : 05:17:46 [Permalink]
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I chose No Bias. It may have to do with the fact that we have a Federal Election here on Saturday and I am not sure which way my vote will go....I spose in hindsight I lean to the left slightly, but this is due to life experiences.....I'm 30 now, my political leanings and opinions have changed a lot over the past 10 or so years.
"Damn you people. Go back to your shanties." --- Shooter McGavin |
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Tokyodreamer
SFN Regular
USA
1447 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2001 : 06:37:47 [Permalink]
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quote:
quote:
The politics section of the infidels.org forum when I was there (before I left in disgust) was a big Libertarian vs. Liberal flamefest.
I love it there, the philosophy and religion forums are highly sophisticated, with loads of references to the foremost experts in current thinking, and the occassional drop in by the experts themselves. Why, pray tell, did you become disgusted with the politics forum?
Maybe I didn't give it enough of a chance, but it seemed as if people (even the moderator) cared more about belittling other peoples' ideas rather than have a productive discussion. Instead of telling one why they disagreed with you, they'd just call you stupid. This was quite a while ago, so maybe I just hit it at a bad time.
[Oh yeah, I left completely because, while I found the philosophy and religion forums were really good from a few contributors' inputs, there were too many trolls. It became tedious to wade through it all. Maybe I'll go lurk there a bit to see if it's better.]
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Sum Ergo Cogito
Edited by - tokyodreamer on 11/06/2001 06:40:10 |
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Trish
SFN Addict
USA
2102 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2001 : 14:38:27 [Permalink]
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Being a non-affiliated voter - who more often than not votes on the conservative side - I think a skeptic should enter into an election booth only after having researched the items they are voting on.
It is by the goodness of God that in our country we have those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and the prudence never to practice either of them. -Mark Twain |
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Zandermann
Skeptic Friend
USA
431 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2001 : 18:39:00 [Permalink]
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quote:
... I think a skeptic should enter into an election booth only after having researched the items they are voting on.
strikes me as a good rule for everyone...I know I do as much research as I can before voting on anything.
"If in the last few years you haven't discarded a major opinion or acquired a new one, check your pulse. You may be dead." |
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bjones
Skeptic Friend
Australia
82 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2001 : 17:43:17 [Permalink]
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Yes I voted "no bias" but I would give a second preference to "liberalism". "Authoritarianism" a bad last.
bjones
Remember: When you die your philosophy dies with you
quote:
quote:
... I think a skeptic should enter into an election booth only after having researched the items they are voting on.
strikes me as a good rule for everyone...I know I do as much research as I can before voting on anything.
"If in the last few years you haven't discarded a major opinion or acquired a new one, check your pulse. You may be dead."
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tergiversant
Skeptic Friend
USA
284 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2001 : 06:01:59 [Permalink]
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quote:
What political viewpoint are skeptics generally biased towards?
I would pick liberalism because, among other things, the SFN seems far more anti-war and anti-American (on the whole) than the public at large. You rarely hear such harsh criticism of the U.S. foreign policy outside of ultraleft forums.
"Nihil curo de ista tua stulta superstitione."
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Topic Locked
