Just a little observation that I noted followed by a question.
I recently moved to Texas from the Chicago area for a job, and it's been a bit of a culture shock. I walk 2 miles home from work each day and I pass four churches and can see two more on other streets. I expected that much, but I also pass two "Psychics", an acupuncture "clinic", an anti-aging herablist, and a storefront that claims to offer astrological guidance. It struck me to see such an eclectic bundle of new-agey superstition sprinkled between traditional religious superstition, and it got me thinking about something.
Of the people that I know well enough to understand their religious beliefs, the people that have the healing crystals and horoscopes and balance wristbands are actually atheists, while the more religious people I know stick more closely to their own religious crap, but don't subscribe to ghosts or psychics or homeopathy. I was wondering if you guys have noticed a correlation either way between atheism or theism and pseudoscience? Are theists more likely to believe in pseudoscience because of their religious beliefs, or are they kind of isolated in their own irrational bubble against it? Could also be no correlation at all, seeing as my sample size is pretty limited to my experience, but it would be interesting to explore.
I recently moved to Texas from the Chicago area for a job, and it's been a bit of a culture shock. I walk 2 miles home from work each day and I pass four churches and can see two more on other streets. I expected that much, but I also pass two "Psychics", an acupuncture "clinic", an anti-aging herablist, and a storefront that claims to offer astrological guidance. It struck me to see such an eclectic bundle of new-agey superstition sprinkled between traditional religious superstition, and it got me thinking about something.
Of the people that I know well enough to understand their religious beliefs, the people that have the healing crystals and horoscopes and balance wristbands are actually atheists, while the more religious people I know stick more closely to their own religious crap, but don't subscribe to ghosts or psychics or homeopathy. I was wondering if you guys have noticed a correlation either way between atheism or theism and pseudoscience? Are theists more likely to believe in pseudoscience because of their religious beliefs, or are they kind of isolated in their own irrational bubble against it? Could also be no correlation at all, seeing as my sample size is pretty limited to my experience, but it would be interesting to explore.
In every country and every age, the priest had been hostile to Liberty.
- Thomas Jefferson
- Thomas Jefferson
