that Aristotle didn't exist? And how do you trust that which was said by, say, Plato, though you never met?

as for your questions:

- not sure I am clear to which this refers.

I had insights as an atheist, but the ones since have been more inclusive and wider ranging in perspective. God's there regardless of human insights, no matter how genius.

I don't know that I'm a 'better or worse person' for what I believe. Perhaps things matter more than they did before, that science of things not happening in a vacuum. (except big bangs, i guess). So I try to see how much bang for the buck I can put in each day.

About this life not being all there is: He's eternal, and shows a pattern of continuity, as WELL of course as the words anyone has access to if they choose. If eternal oblivion were still a factor, so what? wouldn't be missing anything. I don't have enough sense to be scared, so maybe that's my problem. And I've gotten even less scared, esp. after wiping up SOMEbody's blood on Easter '99. I think it was my stepbrother's.

Yes, I used to be an atheist. No, never trained as a scientist. Of average demographics all the way around, probably.