What is it about the truth that we find so appealing? I don't know many other types of people, other than a genuine skeptic, that are actually committed to finding out the real answers to the mysteries of the universe and existence itself. I have passed many people and belief systems on my path to search for truth, which at times can seem more like a maze than a path. It just keeps going on. There is never enough to learn. It can be terrifying, but in a beautiful kind of way.
I find I do not trust people, especially when it comes to systematic beliefs and worldviews. The person who can "see ghosts", "heard the voice of god", "talk to the dead", are so unconvincing that I think they must be mistaken or lying. They get upset when I don't believe them, which feels very manipulative to me.
I think many people in positions of power use their dogmatic beliefs in a very manipulating and controlling manner and they should be opposed with reason and skepticism. I care for the equal dignity of individuals and hate seeing the powerful stomp all over everyone else. But mostly, I want other people to see the truth for themselves. Ignorance lies in the shadows and truth is in the light. I want to see a brighter world for us all, someday.
I think most people only seek a pragmatic truth, that which is in their perceived best interests. If they perceive a truth as threatening, they avoid it or ignore it. Also, many if not most people come to identify with certain "truths" at a very early age and come to identify with these truths. Consequently, any threat to these truths (beliefs) is perceived as a threat to their very identity as a person, which is why they become angry or fearful. They feel lost without these truths (beliefs) and literally don't know who they are. This can be very anxiety provoking and they often take it out on others.
But for me, truth is not taking refuge in a belief system, but freedom from belief systems which I consider illusory. Such personal freedom is exhilarating.
I don't think that very many of us find the truth that appealing. Dogmatic thinking and confirmation bias are strong forces. I think those are the natural path of the human brain. You have to work to find truth.
I think that religious people accept the stories over facts, even when confronted to evidence, because they want to be deceived.
Think of a magic show audience. They didn't buy a ticket to live in reality for an hour. They want magic and fairy tales and wonder. They don't want to know his table and hat have a hole in them to reach in and grab a bunny or release doves. They don't want to know the woman who just got sawed in half is really two contortionists in two separate boxes. They want to believe there is something more (Yes, I did kinda quote Pete Holmes a little here).
How we feel about 'truth' as such I think depends very much on our upbringing and personality. If you were brought up in a believing household where a lot of things were simply accepted as 'true' and little was questioned, and you then come to change your views later in life, it probably seems very striking and possibly abnormal to constantly question things and seek truth in different ways. On the other hand if you were brought up in a politically-active and religiously-questioning (Quakers) household, as i was, where truth is considered vewry important, you start from a different point. I think introverts think more about such things than extroverts, too, so the issue is not simple. Once you start questioning, though, you can't stop, and the truth and evidence becomes very important to you. Given your present attitude, I would have thought the most important thing for you to do is to bring up your children (looked at your profile!) to question everything and to think clearly. Learning about reality is very exciting - much more so than accepting silly stories.
Posted by Observer-EffectAlright . . . this is a harsh picture to look at, but does it show nudity?
Posted by FrostyJimDon't believe what you think you saw...
Posted by SunishineI don't give off visible light, so...
Posted by SunishineEssential oils crisis
Posted by SunishineDon't step in that!
Posted by SunishineWho built it?
Posted by SunishineO-o-o-o-o-o-o!
Posted by SunishineSkeptic Baby
Posted by UmbralAnyone subscribe?
Posted by UmbralClimate Deniers Are More Likely to Hate Democracy If you care strongly about climate change, you’re most likely to be someone passionate about democracy.
Posted by UmbralThis one is gouda.
Posted by JeffBHere is a guild to help your health.
Posted by UmbralSo sad and needless.
Posted by CuriousCreatureNational Society of Skeptics
Posted by SunishineNo, no, please continue. ..
Posted by JimGSomething you can use when necessary.