Don't confuse them with facts

[Swede]

snip

To listen to talk radio, to watch TV pundits, to read a newspaper's online message board, is to realize that increasingly, we are a people estranged from critical thinking, divorced from logic, alienated from even objective truth. We admit no ideas that do not confirm us, hear no voices that do not echo us, sift out all information that does not validate what we wish to believe.

I submit that any people thus handicapped sow the seeds of their own decline; they respond to the world as they wish it were rather to the world as it is. That's the story of the Iraq war.


http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2011132171_pitts21.html

[HeresyLives]

1. Excellent article, and a basic truth.

'they respond to the world as they wish it were rather to the world as it is'

[WCGreen]

2. Absolutely.

I was watching a snippet from Ben Steins newest documentary about Intelligent Design. He actually said their is free speech in every area of the US except when it comes to science.

Ben, just because you are claiming that ID is a "scientific" explanation of where we came from doesn't mean that your bat shit crazy myth deserves to be elevated to the status of a well thought, scientifically tested theory of where we came from.

And here is the kicker, I don't believe Stein even believes in ID.

[jobycom]

3. Was it over when the Nazis were killed in WW I?

Funny and sad. Good editorial.

[progressoid]

4. I've pointed out falacies in various emails to RWers only to be told

"Doesn't matter, I still believe it"

Like this Ken Thompson, facts don't really matter.

[zipplewrath]

5. In their defense

What they are most guilty of is poor communication skills. What they "believe" is the "moral of the story" or the conclusion it reaches. The story is merely parable. True or not they believe that it represents a true conclusion. The dispute of a single fact does not change their over all conclusion. Believe me, you can find similar leanings on the left.

It is difficult to live a life where one truly lives according to pure scientific conclusion. Belief will always play a role in a life, if merely because one does not have the time to fully study everything. Ask anyone for the definition, much less scientific explanation of "all natural" and why it is particularly a measure of anything and you will generally be disappointed. As a simple governing principal, it probably isn't bad. In specific cases it can be deadly. But don't expect any adherents to drop the philosophy based upon a singular reported "fact". They will dispute the fact far sooner than they will change their philosophy.

[classysassy]

6. The Bible says

"Get knowledge and with all your getting ,get understanding"