• Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
    • Access to private conversations with other members.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

Why do humans believe so many things that are not true?

Evangelicalhumanist

"Truth" isn't a thing...
Premium Member
It's true, it really is -- there is a "Flat Earth Society."

And millions of people are frightened by any Friday falling on the 13th of the month (and many tall buildings have no 13th floor -- or in China, a 4th).

Evolution was basically accepted all over the western world within a couple of decades of Darwin's publication "On the Origin of Species," even though there was practically no real evidence -- yet today, with literally billions of times more evidence, millions believe evolution to be false and lies created by Satan.

Religious beliefs around the world differ wildly, yet most are supposed to be "uniquely true," and conspiracy theories of every kind imaginable (often in direct opposition to other such) are vouched to be undeniably true by followers.

There is, it seems, almost literally nothing that you cannot get human beings to believe, and to believe enough to act upon. And once believed, no amount of careful explanation and presentation of contradictory facts will break down that belief.

It seems to me that this may well be deep question, one that fits neatly under the category of "On Human Nature." Still, I thought it might be interesting to discuss the topic, and try to see if there isn't a way for humans to overcome what seems (at least to me) a fairly serious drawback in our very nature, our own information processing.

I will be posting some thoughts in the near future, but I would be delighted to hear from other members. Some might just decide to post such things as "why I believe X" or "why I think people who believe Y are wrong." But it would be most interesting, I think, to keep our thoughts focused on the nature of the human mind.
 

Kenny

Face to face with my Father
Premium Member
It's true, it really is -- there is a "Flat Earth Society."

And millions of people are frightened by any Friday falling on the 13th of the month (and many tall buildings have no 13th floor -- or in China, a 4th).

Evolution was basically accepted all over the western world within a couple of decades of Darwin's publication "On the Origin of Species," even though there was practically no real evidence -- yet today, with literally billions of times more evidence, millions believe evolution to be false and lies created by Satan.

Religious beliefs around the world differ wildly, yet most are supposed to be "uniquely true," and conspiracy theories of every kind imaginable (often in direct opposition to other such) are vouched to be undeniably true by followers.

There is, it seems, almost literally nothing that you cannot get human beings to believe, and to believe enough to act upon. And once believed, no amount of careful explanation and presentation of contradictory facts will break down that belief.

It seems to me that this may well be deep question, one that fits neatly under the category of "On Human Nature." Still, I thought it might be interesting to discuss the topic, and try to see if there isn't a way for humans to overcome what seems (at least to me) a fairly serious drawback in our very nature, our own information processing.

I will be posting some thoughts in the near future, but I would be delighted to hear from other members. Some might just decide to post such things as "why I believe X" or "why I think people who believe Y are wrong." But it would be most interesting, I think, to keep our thoughts focused on the nature of the human mind.
I agree completely!

And probably, along that line, you can get humans to believe that what we see just "happened" and no God was involved.

I guess we try to make sense of things and try to rationalize it in the mind so that we can make some sense of things.
 

ChristineM

"Be strong", I whispered to my coffee.
Premium Member
This is a fascinating question that drills into the root of the human condition and one i have asked myself often. Usually putting the answer in the realms of conditioning and indoctrination.

It can be frustrating, often a pain in the posterior but without such diverse (and often crazy) beliefs there would be no RF...



On the subject of the flat earth society, they have members all around the globe.
 

Link

Veteran Member
Premium Member
Monkey see monkey do inheritance. Most humans are insincere to truth and most humans do what most humans do.
 

Evangelicalhumanist

"Truth" isn't a thing...
Premium Member
When I was young, there used to be a chant we kids said as we walked the sidewalks to and from school: "Don't step on cracks, you'll break your mother's back."

As a kid who was taken from my mother (but longed to go back) I took it very seriously. For years I was absolutely focused on the sidewalk when I walked. I can't remember when I stopped -- maybe around 12-13? And I certainly can't remember why. But for a few years, before I hit my teens, this was something I took seriously.

Anybody have similar stories?
 

Wildswanderer

Veteran Member
Evolution was basically accepted all over the western world within a couple of decades of Darwin's publication "On the Origin of Species," even though there was practically no real evidence -- yet today, with literally billions of times more evidence, millions believe evolution to be false and lies created by Satan.
There's still no real evidence.
 

Wildswanderer

Veteran Member
There is, it seems, almost literally nothing that you cannot get human beings to believe, and to believe enough to act upon. And once believed, no amount of careful explanation and presentation of contradictory facts will break down that belief.
Yes I too have wondered how anyone could believe that this earth and universe is the result of a cosmic accident. It's incomprehensible.
 

The Hammer

[REDACTED]
Premium Member
This is a fascinating question that drills into the root of the human condition and one i have asked myself often. Usually putting the answer in the realms of conditioning and indoctrination.

It can be frustrating, often a pain in the posterior but without such diverse (and often crazy) beliefs there would be no RF...



On the subject of the flat earth society, they have members all around the globe.

I think our superstitious nature comes from two positions. One, we want to be able to know and control our surroundings, which leads to things like black cat superstition or breaking a mirror etc. Then there is the innate desire to "know" more. It's this drive of experiential desire that keeps us alive as a species, imo. As it keeps us in a desirous state of "more". Which isn't bad if directed appropriately a la a desire for more "life". But gets coopted by those peddling a "truth above all else".
 

Stevicus

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
It's true, it really is -- there is a "Flat Earth Society."

And millions of people are frightened by any Friday falling on the 13th of the month (and many tall buildings have no 13th floor -- or in China, a 4th).

Evolution was basically accepted all over the western world within a couple of decades of Darwin's publication "On the Origin of Species," even though there was practically no real evidence -- yet today, with literally billions of times more evidence, millions believe evolution to be false and lies created by Satan.

Religious beliefs around the world differ wildly, yet most are supposed to be "uniquely true," and conspiracy theories of every kind imaginable (often in direct opposition to other such) are vouched to be undeniably true by followers.

There is, it seems, almost literally nothing that you cannot get human beings to believe, and to believe enough to act upon. And once believed, no amount of careful explanation and presentation of contradictory facts will break down that belief.

It seems to me that this may well be deep question, one that fits neatly under the category of "On Human Nature." Still, I thought it might be interesting to discuss the topic, and try to see if there isn't a way for humans to overcome what seems (at least to me) a fairly serious drawback in our very nature, our own information processing.

I will be posting some thoughts in the near future, but I would be delighted to hear from other members. Some might just decide to post such things as "why I believe X" or "why I think people who believe Y are wrong." But it would be most interesting, I think, to keep our thoughts focused on the nature of the human mind.

I think there's a certain part of the human mind which tends towards obstinance and defiance for its own sake. I don't know that the flat earth people really believe the earth is flat, but it could be that they just don't care. Some might believe that the world is round, but they won't admit it; they must have some level of contempt for the round earthers that they're going to believe that the earth is flat just out of spite, just to be contrary - just because they can. That's just a guess on my part, but whatever part of the brain which governs that kind of obstinance might be at work.

I've also noticed that some people might believe or disbelieve something based solely on how the message is delivered. It's like how they tell salesmen, "what you're really selling is yourself," regardless of whatever the product might be. That's how people end up getting suckered into buying the Brooklyn Bridge. People get hornswoggled all the time.

As for Darwin's theories, I don't recall how widely accepted they were at first as compared to the present day. Are you saying that more people reject it now than during the 19th century?

Although, perhaps a side question about how the human mind works might be why some people might choose to focus on this issue at all. That's what astounds me. There's a lot of things wrong with this world which one could focus on. From a religious viewpoint, there's a great deal of sin - murder, greed, theft, and many others. But instead of fighting against those sins, they choose to focus their energy and political capital on opposing evolution being taught to their kids. As if that's the worst thing in the world.

What is it that drives people and the issues they choose to focus on? Of course, it's not always focusing on evolution. Sometimes the focus is on the evil lizard people who are preparing to take over the earth.
 
It's due to numerous features of our evolved cognition. We didn't evolve to be objective arbiters of truth, but to survive and this requires an ability to negotiate social relationships.

We need to be good team members, and this makes us credulous. Once we believe something it influences how we interpret new information, and we love to indulge in motivated reasoning.

Some studies have even shown that, on emotive issues, more intelligent people are less likely to be persuaded by new evidence that tells them they are wrong. At the same time they will believe it is "stupid people" who do this.

We also process information as true unless we find reason to reject or modify it, rather than remaining neutral until we choose to believe.

This is a big problem in the modern information (and mis/disinformation) environment. But one we think applies to others, not to "someone as smart and rational as me".

Our bias and conceit is best shown by the fact that most people will read this thread as "why do other humans believe so many things that aren't true" not "why do I believe so many things that aren't true".

We are all suckers on some issues, do you know what any of yours are?
 

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
Why do humans believe so many things that are not true?

Because humans aren't always rational.
And once the get a notion they like, reality
cannot dislodge it.
 

F1fan

Veteran Member
I agree completely!

And probably, along that line, you can get humans to believe that what we see just "happened" and no God was involved.
When they follow facts, use reason, and avoid religious influence of false lore, yes.

No gods are known to exist, so no reason to assume gods have done anything.

I guess we try to make sense of things and try to rationalize it in the mind so that we can make some sense of things.
Which includes how cultural influence acts on the subconscious to a degree that the conscious mind is not aware of it, so can't temper the beliefs that are emotionally satisfying, even when untrue. Yes I am talking about religious beliefs.
 

Quagmire

Imaginary talking monkey
Staff member
Premium Member
I think people tend to choose their beliefs based on convenience rather than conviction.
 
Last edited:

Kenny

Face to face with my Father
Premium Member
When they follow facts, use reason, and avoid religious influence of false lore, yes.

No gods are known to exist, so no reason to assume gods have done anything.

What facts can you present that there is no God?
 

Secret Chief

nirvana is samsara
On the subject of the flat earth society, they have members all around the globe.

I wonder if the membership refer to this as all across the disc. :D

Anyhoo, I'm fortunate in being unique amongst humans in that I don't believe anything that's not true. For instance, I've seen an actual drawing of Great A'Tuin.
 
Last edited:

syo

Well-Known Member
Imagine a world were scientists are fully accepted. o_O

Thank God, there are religious people. :)
 

Secret Chief

nirvana is samsara
We are all suckers on some issues, do you know what any of yours are?

Possibly not, if I thought I was wrong would I not be tempted to change my opinion? Perhaps it takes another person to identify it and communicate it?
Someone or some people need to say: sc, here is a short list of the nonsense you believe. But these people also believe things which aren't true; maybe these beliefs feed into their analysis of my erroneous beliefs.
Sheesh. It's complicated. I believe.
 
Top