Humans are, by nature, pattern-seeking, storytelling animals, and we are quite adept at telling stories about patterns whether they exist or not.

In the long run, it is better to understand the way the world really is rather than how we would like it to be.

Rationality tied to moral decency is the most powerful joint instrument for good that our planet has ever known.

But there is only one surefire method of proper pattern recognition, and that is science.

Skepticism is not a position that you stake out ahead of time and stick to no matter what.

Believers can have both religion and science as long as there is no attempt to make A non-A, to make reality unreal, to turn naturalism into supernaturalism. (125)

I am an atheist. There, I said it. Are you happy, all you atheists out there who have remonstrated with me for adopting the agnostic moniker? If "atheist" means someone who does not believe in God, then an atheist is what I am. But I detest all such labels. Call me what you like - humanist, secular humanist, agnostic, nonbeliever, nontheist, freethinker, heretic, or even bright. I prefer skeptic.