"The problem with being a theist or an atheist is that it suggests you have made up your mind."
Actually, I don't agree that this statement is altogether true. Theists may have made up their minds; atheists hold the view that there is insufficient evidence to hold a belief in a God - that is not the same as having made up their minds.
"I'm not sure we have been around long enough, or know enough yet to make a definitive call."
I'm reasonably sure that we haven't.
"I think it relatively harmless to be open to the possibility that sentience or cognition may be a first order of existence."
Speculation is fine; knowing what is speculation is a trick for some.
"It is another thing altogether to ignore scientific evidence for a doctrine of make-believe."
Agree, but it's also good to be skeptical about scientific evidence; this skepticism has lead to major breakthroughs.
