Questioning a belief is not the same as attacking a person.
A belief, claim or action can be examined and criticised without denying the dignity of the person who holds it.
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What We Find to Be True
This section records reasoned findings reached through evidence, logic, ethics and practical consequences. Findings may be absolute, relative, probable, practical, unsupported, false, or unknown.
A claim should be judged by evidence, not authority alone.
Authority may be relevant to investigation, but authority alone does not make a claim true. A claim needs evidence, reasoning and proportionate confidence.
Read findingThe strength of belief does not prove truth.
A person may believe something with great sincerity and still be mistaken. Confidence, emotion and conviction are not the same as truth.
Read findingA person can be wrong without being worthless.
Being mistaken is part of human life. A false belief, poor argument or wrong conclusion does not by itself remove a person’s dignity or value.
Read findingAvoidable suffering matters morally.
Suffering is not morally irrelevant. When suffering can be reduced without creating greater harm, there is a strong reason to consider reducing it.
Read findingHonest uncertainty is better than false certainty.
When evidence is incomplete, unclear or conflicting, admitting uncertainty is more truthful and responsible than pretending to know.
Read findingWhatever comes into existence under changing conditions will itself change and will eventually cease to exist in its present form.
Everything we can observe that comes into existence as an organised form undergoes change and eventually ceases to exist in that form, although its matter, energy, effects or influence may continue.
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