Percy is a Deist - Now what's the difference between a deist and an atheist?

Just to follow on from Stile.Concerning your extrapolation; if the extrapolation is not based on some kind of evidence, no matter how indirect, if will not be rational.It seems to me that, if there is any kind of evidence, even if only remotely connected, one can honestly form a provisional opinion, but it should include a notion of uncertainty. The more remote the connection, the higher the uncertainty.Absolute conviction either way concerning gods seems unjustified, as, at least in public discourse, evidence must be shareable.I am not convinced by all this talk of world-view. Things are as they are, and that does not change according to people's philosophical notions. Opinions that do not match reality are false, after all.

Yes, sure, there are matters in which an accurate answer does not exist or has not yet been worked out.I think you have grabbed the wrong end of the stick as far as the current discussion is concerned. There are lots of matters for which an accurate answer exists. The questions of the existence and/or nature of gods surely fall into this category. How is it legitimate to judge those on the basis of pre-existing predilections (world-view) rather than using evidence or reserving judgement until evidence is obtained?