Reply #5: Group identification has been a surivival instinct for a very long

[Warpy]

time in human history, and identification with a "winner" group is even more strong (except for Red Sox and Cubbie fans). Yes, for most unskeptical loyalists, it IS rather like identifying with their favorite sports teams, their favorite cars, their favorite cigarettes. It means they're part of something bigger than they are, and they feel stronger for it. Their life choices are confirmed and they have friends in high places who think like they do and so on.

Yes, we skeptics know it's all an illusion, a dangerous one in most cases. Don't expect loyalists of any flavor to listen to us, though. We're party poopers, flies in ointment, nuisances and they all wish we'd just go away and stop reminding them that their choices endanger their health, that their friends in high places are really out to get them and so on.

It's the old analogy of the sheep and the goats. The sheep seek safety in numbers and rely on the men who fleece them. The goats pretty much go where they want (although they'll take advice on pasturing)and eat everything and are quite capable of returning to the wild.