Extremist ideologies attract droves of followers (May 20 2013)
Michael Brant Shermer the 58 year old American science writer, historian of science, and founder of The Skeptics Society has been interviewed by Joseph Cotto for the Washington Times in an article titled ‘Asking Michael Shermer: Why is mythology more popular than science?’. Shermer states “…it is better to live in a reality-based worldview than a faith-based (or superstition-based) worldview. Plus, for a liberal democracy to work we need informed voters, but not just informed—they need to know how to think critically. That is, not just what to think, but HOW to think. That is what scientific skepticism is all about—knowing how to think about claims, how to test hypotheses, how to challenge ideas fairly and objectively …Mythology (and its cousin religion) are only more popular in certain areas. When it comes to, say, medical treatment, almost everyone in the industrial West still favors going to a medical doctor instead of a witch doctor. You show me someone who prefers mythology at 35,000 feet and I’ll show you a hypocrite. …Derision only comes from a few corners: religious fundamentalists on one extreme and academic postmodernists on the other extreme. I have debunked them both thoroughly and they are not worth bothering about unless they try to influence education and politics, which they occasionally do, so we monitor their activities and respond when necessary; otherwise they are best ignored for the ignorance they portray. They reject science because it is open-ended and they already know the truth. …Extremist ideologies can attract droves of followers, but in the long run they do not survive. Moderate politics is in it for the long haul, which is why no terrorist organization in half a century of attempts has ever overrun a state. In fact, studies show that 95% of the time terrorists fail to achieve even one of their objectives.”
Inspired by Joseph Cotto, The Washington Times ow.ly/kuDXs Image source David Patton ow.ly/kuDWe
