That is not to say there is no place for skepticism or atheism. I think there is. However, the “skeptic” and the “atheist”, which look at these labels as identities rather than tools, reveal as much of what they have not learned as what they have learned.

If men were duly to consider themselves, and turn their thoughts and reflections to the operations of their own minds, they would readily discover that it is faith, and faith only, which is the moving cause of all action in them; that without it, both mind and body would be in a state of inactivity, and all their exertions would cease, both physical and mental. (1:10)

The skeptic has faith that truth is beneficial to humanity and that humanity is capable of drawing closer to the truth through the exercise of free thought and reason. Without this faith, skepticism is nihilism. In its aspect as champion of reason and judicious doubt, skepticism is as positive force to draw humanity to the truth. It is a necessary restraint on our human tendency to credulity and baseless hope.

Atheism also cleanses the palate of dubious religious views. It brings us forward to a place where we can look at the world anew, without religious bias. Here too is a danger of throwing out the baby with the bathwater by losing the treasure of human wisdom entrusted to religion while discarding its metaphysical dross.

I see skepticism and atheism as positive ideologies. I liken them to the scalpel which cuts away the cancer but if applied without discretion could kill the patient.