Comment by Skycomet the Fallen Angel on March 31, 2011 at 11:09am

Of course! It would seem that a primary reason for rejection of evolution is fear of hell. [either it's that or unintentional ignorance]

Comment by Walter Maki on March 31, 2011 at 11:31am

If these people are so worried about (an imaginary) hell then maybe they should strive to be a better person while alive. Then again not knowing if they are wrong when they're dead. To me when you're gone your're gone...end game. Fear does seem to be a common factor...strong motivational tool for the delusional.

Comment by Walter Maki on March 31, 2011 at 11:38am

The other tool of motivation from my personal observation is guilt. For example: You'll break Grandma's heart if you don't believe what she believes. To me (religious) guilt is a product of (imaginary) sin. People try to make you feel poorly about yourself if you don't do and see thing their way.

So bottom line: Fear and guilt from so called sin drives people to believe in all the superstitious drivel.

Comment by Tony S. on March 31, 2011 at 11:40am

I think atheists who accept evolution, like myself, can fear death as well. The reality of one day having to give up life and consciousness for eternal annihilation is something I'm NOT happy about.

Comment by Kenneth Montville D.D. on March 31, 2011 at 11:41am

Lets not be so foolish to fall into a correlation/causation fallacy, but it is interesting none the less.

Comment by Dallas the Phallus on March 31, 2011 at 11:48am

@ Tony: Indeed. Everyone can experience anxiety about death. No doubt about that. It's just that atheists don't fear eternal punishment, so that has to play a role in there somewhere.

 

@ Kenneth: I think they they are being pretty careful about the causation. The title only suggests a link, and the third paragraph says the "findings suggests..."

Comment by Dallas the Phallus on March 31, 2011 at 11:49am

Walter: Fear and guilt from so called sin drives people to believe in all the superstitious drivel.

 

Right you are!

Comment by Kenneth Montville D.D. on March 31, 2011 at 12:15pm

@ Dallas, it says "The findings suggest that people are motivated to believe in intelligent design and doubt evolutionary theory because of unconscious psychological motives." But I would wager more that the findings don't necessarily suggest a "this because of that" relationship but rather a "this often implies that as well" relationship. Just like people one does not need to lead the other, I am sure they can walk side by side holding hands. Besides, in psychology, proof is often murky at best.

Comment by Arcus on March 31, 2011 at 12:29pm

@Tony: You didn't exist 100 years ago, and you didn't mind. You won't exist in 100 years, and you won't mind that either. Death is one out of two things that are certain and unavoidable - fearing it is just a waste of time. :)

Comment by Dallas the Phallus on March 31, 2011 at 12:56pm

Everyone, I have uploaded the original paper to the post. I've not read it yet. I'm just including it for those who want it.

Comment

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page