Title Author Date

recommend me a book or two Bradshaw, Richard Mar 20, 2006

Hi, I'm a Methodist pastor in the UK [but with a visit to the US coming up shortly] trying to find an explanation for the popularity (growing it would seem) of young earth creationism. It's obviously crazy; there is no debate. The argument has been over all my life. So how come a lot of otherwise sane and intelligent people can't see it? How come so many scientists and indeed theologians, who could find so many better uses for their time, have spent so much trying to expose this nonsense?

I want to know who's considered this from the perspective of anthropology or behavioural science. Someone must have. It is not a matter of proving that evolutionary arguments make sense and creationist ones don't, I take that as read: I want to know what social forces drive people to embrace absurdity and continue to do so in the face of the overwhelming criticism and ridicule. What's the pay off? What would be the costs in admitting that the world view is mistaken after all? What are the dynamics that keep the faithful on message even when they have begun to waver a bit?

I would be grateful if you could suggest to me any writers who have approached the creationism phenomenon from this angle; or any other book[s] that seem to you particularly illuminating at this stage of the struggle.

Thank you.

Title Author Date

recommend me a book or two TalkReason , Mar 20, 2006

Dear Mr. Bradshaw:

The question you ask - why many otherwise sane and intelligent people adhere to obviously
fallacious views, such as the assertion that earth is just a few thousand years old - is indeed puzzling. The answer can perhaps be given within the framework of psychology, which is a field beyond the purview of this site.
The explanation coming to mind is that many people, indoctrinated in their early childhood in certain religious concepts, perceive the data of science as contrary to their beliefs. In fact, science is neutral regarding religious beliefs, and neither confirms nor contradicts them. There are many scientists, including some contributors to this site, who firmly adhere to
scientific data while preserving their religious faith. On the other hand, some believers, for certain psychological reasons, cannot reconcile their heartfelt beliefs with scientific data which, they feel, negate those
beliefs. This quite complex phenomenon hardly can be analyzed in a brief reply to your question, and moreover, we are not really qualified to provide such an analysis. You may be interested, though, in looking up some material posted on ths site - for example Jason Rosenhouse's report on a creationist
megaconference .

Best wishes,

Talk Reason