WAYAS - Why are you a skeptic?

We love getting feedback on the newsletter, and hearing others' perspectives. And, we think that others would like this too.

We're starting a new section in our newsletter which shines a spotlight on people in our local skeptical community. With that in mind, we invite short contributions from readers telling us why you're a skeptic, what you're skeptical of, what ideas you have for activism. Anything like that.

If you want, we can keep you anonymous, or if you're happy to be identified, we can use your name, and a profile picture if you'd like to submit one.

You can send us your contribution to newsletter@skeptics.nz

So - I'll start - my name's Craig Shearer, and I'm a skeptic. 😀

I think I've always been naturally sceptical, and had an interest in science from my earliest years. I was taken to church by my parents, but recall usually expressing doubts about its veracity. I guess I had atheist leanings from my teenage years. But I went along, as most people did in the 1970s and 80s.

My introduction to organised skepticism occurred back in about 1993 when I was teaching software development at Manawatu Polytechnic. A fellow lecturer, a seemingly smart guy, was a fundamentalist Christian who was a firm believer in Young Earth Creationism.

He and I had quite a few discussions about the evidence for evolution. The internet was in its infancy at the time, so finding resources was quite a bit more difficult. By the mid 90s I was participating in discussions in skeptic forums, and encountering the likes of Michael Shermer (who, it now seems, is a quite unpleasant character).

One Christmas, my wife gave me a 1st generation iPod, and I downloaded some skeptical podcasts - and I was hooked. Skepticality, Skeptoid, and the Skeptics Guide to the Universe were great listening pleasure for me. I became more active when I attended a Skeptics in the Pub in Auckland back in about 2009, and then formally joined NZ Skeptics.

I think skepticism has been a big part of my life. I see a lot of value in being able to support your beliefs with evidence. It's a shame so few people do though!