James Randi--Patron Saint of Skeptics?

[Temporal Renegade]

Is it fair to state that Randi could be considered a Patron Saint of skeptics the world over? He does, after all, have a good deal of followers around the world.

Of course, that's if skeptics actually believe in Patron Saints...

[Upchurch]

No (http://www.webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=patron+saint)

[Yahweh]

We should build a church for the followers of the Cult Randi...

[Jeff Corey]

It was Revealed at TAM2 that Teller was GOD and Thou Shall Not Have Any Other Mere Pissant Humans Before Him.
We even saw the Polyester Shroud of Tuscan.

But if you are serious, I'll say that the parthenon of skeptics were represented at TAM2. St. Michael, St. Steve, St. Jerry, St. Bad Asstronomer, St. Chuck, Ste. Sweeney, St. Monkeyman and St. Hal.
We even had a Last Brunch At A Discount Price.
The holy wafers were the mini nachos with jalapeno Monteray Jack cheese and a nice Merlot chaser.

[wayrad]

What about Saint William of Occam?

[ceptimus]

There might be tax advantages in getting skepticism recognised as a religion.

[Checkmite]

Originally posted by ceptimus
There might be tax advantages in getting skepticism recognised as a religion.

Unfortunately, the negative effects of having skepticism recognized as a religion would vastly outweigh the positive effects.

[phildonnia]

St. Thomas the Apostle is already the official patron saint of skeptics; but only if you believe in that shtuff.

[Ladewig]

I consider him more of an archbishop in the church of Darwinism. S.J. Gould, of course, was a cardinal.

[!Xx+-Rational-+xX!]

Those who don’t follow Mr. James Randi of the James Randi Educational Foundation are useless!

[Kerberos]

Originally posted by Upchurch
No (http://www.webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=patron+saint)
"2 : an original leader or prime exemplar"
Don't you think he would qualify as a "prime exemplar" (presuming exemplar means the same as example)

[Darat]

Originally posted by Kerberos

Don't you think he would qualify as a "prime exemplar" (presuming exemplar means the same as example)

Well exemplar has (IME) two commonly used definitions. The first is someone or something that is a perfect example of something that is worthy of being copied and the second is a typical example of something.

I would say Randi fails to be an exemplar - whichever definition you choose!

[Rose]

If Randi is a patron saint, then he is the heir to St. Harry Houdini. To throw a conspiracy theory element in it, it is "obvious" that Randi has come into possession of some mystical item of Houdini's that confers special status to our favorite skeptic. Any ideas what that object might be?

[Rose]

If Randi is a patron saint, then he is the heir to St. Harry Houdini. To throw a conspiracy theory element in it, it is "obvious" that Randi has come into possession of some mystical item of Houdini's that confers special status to our favorite skeptic. Any ideas what that object might be?

[DickK]

Originally posted by Rose
If Randi is a patron saint, then he is the heir to St. Harry Houdini. To throw a conspiracy theory element in it, it is "obvious" that Randi has come into possession of some mystical item of Houdini's that confers special status to our favorite skeptic. Any ideas what that object might be? We call it "The Million Dollar Prize", but all the evidence to date suggests that its true nature will never be revealed this side of hell freezing over. :p