GeorgeRic

That said, as humans gain knowledge it becomes impossible to know enough to cover every situation. I find myself constantly revising what I thought was true even on such mundane topics as nutrition and basic health. (For example, the old ‘drink 8 glasses of water a day’ turns out to be a mix of one study and a popular misconception as nearly all of that water comes to us through our food or other beverages. The old claim that water alone was necessary was wrong and would actually be somewhat harmful in some situations.) The web came in at just the right time, yet even it may not be enough.

People who suffer from an inferiority complex will do anything to tear down those who they perceive as superior to them. Since most of the people in these movements are not well-educated, and feel threatened by people who are, it is tempting for them to assert that they have the real answers and that the “so-called intellectuals” really know the truth too but don’t want to admit it.

They cannot handle anything other than a literal interpretation of scripture. There can be no nuance, no hidden meaning, no depth beyond what is obvious to them. Since science and intellectual pursuits require, nay demand that one look beyond the obvious, they can’t stand it and need an absolute truth to stand on. The notion that what we believe today will be supplanted by a new belief when more research is done and more is known and understood about a given subject. They need an unshifting, unchanging “truth” to cling to – even when clear evidence is staring them right in the face.

That is why creationists are so stubborn in their assertions that the Biblical account of Genesis is literally true. Science tells them that what they believe about the origin of the universe is not consistent with the facts known. So, rather than re-evaluate their belief in the light of new evidence, they demonize science and dig their heels further into the ground.

The universe is a much more interesting place than their scripture would lead them to believe. That they can’t see this as a sign that there is more to be known than what is contained in a book written 2,000-5,000 years ago is unbelievable.

One does not have to sacrifice one’s belief in God in order to trust in science and the scientific method. However one cannot simultaneously assert a literal interpretation of scripture and be open to new truths.

In essence, their god is dead and locked in the past.

“Unskilled and Unaware of It: How Difficulties in Recognizing One’s Own Incompetence Lead to Inflated Self-Assessments”. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

http://www.apa.org/journals/features/psp7761121.pdf

The first page is funny. The rest is disturbing for anyone with a touch of humility and the ability to asses themselves even a little.