What's a Sceptic

What's a Sceptic
The word sceptic is a term that I think is used fairly loosely throughout society.
According to the Internet, specifically an online dictionary and Wikipedia.
From the Free Online Dictionary.
sceptic or US skeptic [skep-tik]
Noun
1. a person who habitually doubts generally accepted beliefs
2. a person who doubts the truth of a religion [Greek skeptikos one who reflects upon]

From Wikipedia (The following was taken from Wikipedia, so it's accuracy is not guaranteed.)
In ordinary usage, skepticism or scepticism (Greek: 's??pt?µa?' skeptomai, to look about,
to consider.
* (a) an attitude of doubt or a disposition to incredulity either in general or
toward a particular object;
* (b) the doctrine that true knowledge or knowledge in a particular area is uncertain; or
* (c) the method of suspended judgment, systematic doubt, or criticism that is
characteristic of skeptics (Merriam–Webster).

Philosophical skepticism
In philosophical skepticism, pyrrhonism is a position that refrains from making truth
claims. A philosophical skeptic does not claim that truth is
impossible (which would be a truth claim).

Scientific skepticism
A scientific (or empirical) skeptic is one who questions the reliability of certain kinds
of claims by subjecting them to a systematic investigation. The scientific method details
the specific process by which this investigation of reality is conducted. Considering
the rigor of the scientific method, science itself may simply be thought of as an
organized form of skepticism.

Activist skepticism
Activist skeptics, self-described "debunkers" are a subset of scientific skeptics who
aim to expose in public what they see as the truth behind specific extraordinary claims.
Debunkers may publish books, air TV programs, create websites, or use other means to
advocate their message. In some cases they may challenge claimants outright or even
stage elaborate hoaxes to prove their point, such as Project Alpha.
Because debunkers often challenge popular ideas, many are not strangers to controversy.
Critics of debunkers sometimes accuse them of robbing others of hope. Debunkers
frequently reply that it is the claimant, whom they many times accuse of exploiting
public gullibility, who is guilty of abuse.

Religious skepticism
Religious skepticism is skepticism regarding faith-based claims. Religious skeptics may
focus on the core tenets of religions, such as the existence of divine beings or reports
of earthly miracles. A religious skeptic is not necessarily an atheist or agnostic.
That ends the Wikipedia definitions.

What is a Sceptic?

1. Is it a person who is close minded, negative, a party pooper, only content when they have disagreed with everyone and made a proper "bastard" of themselves.
2. Is it an anal-retentive type who is annoying everyone with their obsessive urge to challenge everything.
3. Is it a fence sitter.
   
4. Is it someone who requires the evidence.

Probably many people think of Sceptics in one of those terms.
Believers often say we reject whatever belief they have based on preconceived bias and close mindedness . Such claims I think come about as a result from psychological projection. They are incapable of coping with the fact that there are some people who genuinely do not believe in their beliefs. Believers can become very incredulous of our non belief.
Some people use the term in different ways. Kevin Rudd our Prime Minister uses the term "Climate Sceptic" when he is running down the people that don't believe in or deny climate change. To me his use is wrong, I think Kevin Rudd should use the term "Climate Denier" when he is referring to them.
Some people of course describe themselves as sceptics, but are they?
Are some sceptics more cynical than sceptical. Do they disagree with everything that they do not agree with not because the evidence is not there, but because it suits their world view.
For me a sceptic is someone who requires the evidence. Simple, but this covers it's use for me.
This brings me to the point of can someone be a sceptic on some topics but a believer on others.
Can a Theist be a believer when it comes to a God, and a sceptic on other topics? This is often asked when it comes to Theists and Science. If you have a belief in the Bible but maybe understand and accept an old Earth from the Geological record as opposed to the version of a young Earth from the bible.
Well over to you bloggers, what do you think. What is your idea of a sceptic.