General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Religious belief interferes with people's understanding of evolution (NPR) [View all]RainDog
(28,784 posts)lasting psychological damage does not mean worthless and mental illness does not mean incapable of learning or worthless either. It means that someone has been taken advantage of - in the case of certain religious beliefs - about something that humans find esp. bothersome - knowledge of their own mortality.
That's why I see education and, in line with that, moves to insure that such religious teachers are not funded by the govt nor given a platform to speak on reputable news outlets... that's how we treat people who spread lies - we don't ask them to host tv news shows or invite them to offer opinion.
we talk about the ways in which they're wrong - we discredit them.
however, we don't. at least not in the U.S. and some pols try to curry favor to win their votes.
we have religious freedom - people may believe what they like - but we don't give air time to extremists - even if they have large majorities of followers - when it is clear their beliefs are simply irrational.
that's what I don't get - why creation-teaching pastors get air time on american news shows like they have anything worthwhile to say. doing so validates them, as well. obviously someone benefits from perpetuating these beliefs. otherwise, these sort of "experts" would be treated like Kucinich at a democratic debate.
instead, they have their own news programs on Fox, etc.