Who here really believes what they claim to?

[Annik]

Yes, this is in the science forum, because it's a question of science - not ethics, religion or even philosophy.

How many people actually believe what they claim to believe? It can't be very many people. Let me demonstrate using my own country - Australia.

1. Smoking. Supposedly this is bad for you. Most people SAY they believe this. 48% of Aborigines are smokers, therefore 48% or more of Aborigines don't actually believe it's bad for their health. The smoking rate in Australia has dropped in recent years, it's now about 18% of the adult population. So 18% of Australians don't believe that smoking is bad for their health.

That was just the first point, it gets worse with the second...

2. Overweight. 63% of Australian adults are either overweight or obese. 28% of Australians are obese. Thus, 63% of Aussies don't believe that being overweight is bad for their health, and 28% of Aussies are really confident in that belief! There is absolute proof that they don't it to be bad for them because I know people who "tried to loose weight" and then "gave up" after only loosing "some" weight.

A person cannot say the believe one thing, and do the opposite - that's nonsensical.

Smoking is an addiction.

So is overeating.

Of course people understand there are adverse health effects, but they also don't care. Getting their neurotransmitter fix is more important to them. It's a not a matter of understanding, it's a matter of priorities.