I think it's a question of utility. Most American...

2007-09-04T23:42:00.000-05:00

I think it's a question of utility. Most Americans gain very little from having beliefs that are logically consistent and scientifically based. For them, there is not much satisfaction in an honest search for knowledge.

On the other hand, the average American has a great deal to gain from holding certain beliefs that are outrageously implausible. If one chooses to believe in Jesus, for example, one can typically gain general peace of mind, and above all social acceptance. Going to church is not all about listening to someone drone on and on about nonsense. It's also a place to meet potential friends and business partners. Church is a good place to find a job. If you need a hairdresser, chances are there is one who attends your local church. You can meet this person outside of the business context and decide whether you are comfortable with her or not before ever walking into the salon.

The catch is that you have to actually believe these outrageously implausible things in order to obtain the social rewards. While it is possible to lie to a large group of people for a long period of time, it is more difficult than the alternative of simply bullshitting oneself. I remember hearing a friend of mine speculate that this sort of sustained inconsistency is psychologically stressful in that one must constantly be on one’s toes.

So, perhaps there is no hope... or perhaps the only hope would be to make atheism more socially rewarding for the middle-class. This is difficult because we do not have the Church as an institution, but that is not to say it is impossible.

Comments on Miss Heretic: Choosing to be Stupid

I think it's a question of utility. Most American...