2008 seems like an awfully long time ago, doesn't it? Way back in 2008, I wrote a brief and long-since deleted post about the results of a Baylor University poll that found the following reasons to be ashamed of these here United States:
- 55% of Americans believe that they are protected by guardian angels
- 25% claim to have witnessed miraculous healings
- 20% claim to have heard some sort of god speak to them
- 8% speak in tongues
What do you call it when someone believes all sorts of nonsense without any evidence whatsoever and then goes so far as to demand that others adopt their beliefs? Faith? Ignorance? Idiocy? How you label it probably is not nearly as important as what, if anything, you decide to do about it. So what should we do about it?
Should we just ignore these beliefs?
Some have suggested that we do not need to do anything about such irrational beliefs. Indeed, some argue that we should ignore these beliefs because even criticizing them offers publicity to those who seek to spread them. I'll admit that this argument holds appeal in certain cases, but I'm not sure it works for those of us who are convinced that beliefs like this can be dangerous. No, I think a response may be necessary in at least some situations.
But if these beliefs are based in religion, don't they require our respect?
Why? Have they earned our respect? No, respect is not something to be granted simply because religion is involved. False beliefs have earned no respect. I think that most people who cling to this idea of respect are confusing respect for the individual believer with respect for the beliefs. We can respect people even while having no respect for the superstitious drivel some of them believe. Besides, it isn't like those whining about us not respecting their religious beliefs have demonstrated much respect for alternatives to their beliefs.
Isn't education (especially science education) the answer?
Education (and critical thinking skills and scientific literacy in particular) is important. However, I am not sure that education can take us as far as we need to go without help. The way I have come to think of it is that education is necessary but not sufficient in reducing irrational beliefs. After all, we have witnessed the lengths to which some will go to avoid learning anything and to prevent their own children from gaining knowledge of their world.
But isn't mockery just going to make matters worse?
When people like us rail against religious delusion, aren't we simply making things worse? Isn't the natural response to a perceived attack either a counterattack or a strengthening of one's own views? This is a tempting but overly simplistic analysis. Mockery can be effective for some but will certainly not be effective for all. It cannot be the only response used, but it should not be dismissed as a wholly ineffective response either.
Like it or not, humans are social creatures who can and do learn from social pressures. When someone says something stupid and is greeted with resounding laughter, temporarily becoming the butt of their friends' jokes, they tend to refrain from expressing the same sort of stupidity in the future. There might be a lesson here.
So what should we do?
Very few of those who believe in angels, think Sarah Palin was qualified to be president, or believed that Obama was going to take their guns are going to be talked out of these erroneous views quickly or easily. A multifaceted approach is needed. This does not, however, prevent each of us from using every interaction we might have with such a person to plant the seeds of doubt. Like real seeds, we must recognize that it may take these metaphorical seeds a long time to germinate. Let our primary task be one of stimulating thought or raising doubt. Remember, while it may indeed be an uphill battle, we have reality on our side and some minds will change.
