Good points all, but on this: > What is the value of _supposing_ that it is true? The problem is that the (calling it this for effect) "blank-slate hypothesis

Good points all, but on this: > What is the value of _supposing_ that it is true? The problem is that the (calling it this for effect) "blank-slate hypothesis mafia" is assuming that it is NOT true. If what you say is valid, then NO SIDE should be taken seriously until more evidence comes in.