More on why people don’t “trust science” the way we used to

C.S Lewis wrote a lot about demons. E.g. see his Screwtape Letters. One of his key points was that the devil's big win happens when people simply don't believe in him. By remaining secretively active in the background, he can affect all sorts of people's thoughts, decisions and actions without their awareness. Understanding that should not be a big leap given how easily television and social media can affect our viewpoints without our awareness of being manipulated. Fasteddious

:) Some people here conflate technology with farce of evolution: planes fly / internet works therefore evolutionism is true. Verse:

You can’t fix stupid

— me Lieutenant Commander Data

It sounds like Sagan had a point in his Demon-Haunted World. My position on demons is that people are free to believe whatever they want as long as it isn't likely to harm me and mine. If they exist at all in this world and can exert some sort of observable influence within it, then they will have a nature we can study and try to explain. I am also free to think that, short of any compelling evidence, the idea is probably nonsense. That there are some people who are capable of committing terrible offenses against their fellows is not in question. Unfortunately, that is most likely just the dark side of human nature. There is no need to invoke demonic possession to get them off the hook. As for the OP, I think that, for the most part, people do generally trust science. What they don't like is where the findings of science suggest they need to change their behavior in ways that are personally inconvenient or, more understandably, cause personal and economic hardship. And, of course, there will always be politicians around willing to exploit those grievances for personal gain. People still use the Internet in huge numbers, mostly unaware of what a scientific and technological marvel it is. People still fly to distant destinations, if they can afford it, because, apart from a few tragic accidents, it is as safe and reliable as human science and engineering can make it. And if they or a loved one should fall ill, apart from a few incorrigibles, people will still rush to their nearest doctor or hospital and demand that they be afforded the best treatments medical science has to offer, even those who catch COVID-19 after denying it's a problem. Verse:

You can't fix stupid

-- Ron White Seversky

People don't trust science because current scientists are full of it. Evolutionism is total BS. Climate change is total BS. The war on covid-19 and its variants is total BS. ET

If a demon was an extra dimensional being, something that was 4th dimensional it could easily impact us with out our knowing and even being able to test for it I’m sure the vast majority of materialists believe extra dimensional beings exist in some way shape and form, especially if you’re big on M theory But I would just like to point out that you’re trying to pin a nature down on something that you might not be able to understand and our past selves couldn’t but named it a demon AaronS1978

"Okay. You’ve been very patient taking the time to respond and I appreciate that. I’m not sure I will have any more questions but I don’t at this time." JVL, I'll opine anytime about any subject if I have the inclination. So, thanks for reading and responding. Andrew asauber

Can you tell the difference between evil influence and laziness or just falling out of the habit?

So you think laziness is not an evil thing? Lieutenant Commander Data

Asauber: Every case is unique, so I don’t think sweeping declarations work. But there are plenty of indicators that can point to something being wrong. For instance, a person’s position on abortion when presented with all the information about it, can be illustrative about if the Culture of Death has influenced them. It’s not rocket science. Okay. You've been very patient taking the time to respond and I appreciate that. I'm not sure I will have any more questions but I don't at this time. JVL

"So no comments on the actual story about trusting science?" Belfast, JVL needs help with other subject matter right now. ;) Andrew PS...FWIW, mine at #1 is a comment on the OP. asauber

So no comments on the actual story about trusting science? Great work from the Shiny Object gang. Belfast

I've long thought that "evil" is alive, well, and tangible on Planet Earth. Exhibit 1 as evidence is the Holocaust of the 1930s and 40s emanating from Adolf Hitler and the Nazis of Germany. History documents this evil quite handily. For quite some time now I have been reading of this evil Nazi phenomena from the perspective of historical fiction from the series "The Zion Covenant." This is a 9-volume view of the advance of Nazism, the swallowing up of Europe, and the subsequent Holocaust from the perspective of individual Jews and families as well as other victims engulfed by this evil. It's a long tough read as each volume in on the order of 400 pages. Thus far after reading 5 of 9 volumes, I've found no happy endings, mainly just faith and survival - and unimaginable evil. So yes, Evil is real, alive, well, and tangible on Planet Earth. And demons are real and active in our world! Here is the link to the series. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BS3P1YF?binding=kindle_edition&ref_=dbs_s_ks_series_rwt_tkin&qid=1640028070&sr=1-1 ayearningforpublius

"Can you tell the difference between evil influence and laziness or just falling out of the habit?" JVL, Every case is unique, so I don't think sweeping declarations work. But there are plenty of indicators that can point to something being wrong. For instance, a person's position on abortion when presented with all the information about it, can be illustrative about if the Culture of Death has influenced them. It's not rocket science. Andrew asauber

Asuaber: I’m not suggesting you are directly possessed. I’m suggesting you aren’t faithful or vigilant, so who knows what influences you or what your behavior might be. Okay. Can you tell the difference between evil influence and laziness or just falling out of the habit? And can you be sure that some are actually directly demonically controlled? I'm just wondering how you view the world. When you watch the news or go to the mall or go to a work party . . . what are your lines in the sand so to speak? JVL

JVL, I'm not suggesting you are directly possessed. I'm suggesting you aren't faithful or vigilant, so who knows what influences you or what your behavior might be. Andrew asauber

Asauber: Yes. It’s always been that way. And they already are in control. And the faithful must be ever vigilant, yes. If were aren’t, we’ll all turn out like you, JVL. No offense. ? No offence taken. But I am curious: what aspects of my behaviour suggest demonic influence to you? JVL

"Okay. So, it seems to you, that the world is a war zone? That the forces of evil are manifest and actively intervening to take control? That the faithful must be ever vigilant?" Yes. It's always been that way. And they already are in control. And the faithful must be ever vigilant, yes. If were aren't, we'll all turn out like you, JVL. No offense. ;) Andrew asauber

Asauber: Yes. I read this many years ago, and its just the tip of the iceberg, I’m afraid. https://www.amazon.com/Hostage-Devil-Possession-Contemporary-Americans/dp/006065337X Okay. So, it seems to you, that the world is a war zone? That the forces of evil are manifest and actively intervening to take control? That the faithful must be ever vigilant? I'm not making fun, just trying to understand. Please correct me if I've misrepresented you. JVL

"I assume, then, that you think that exorcism is sometimes justified and necessary?" JVL, Yes. I read this many years ago, and its just the tip of the iceberg, I'm afraid. https://www.amazon.com/Hostage-Devil-Possession-Contemporary-Americans/dp/006065337X Andrew asauber

Asauber: They appear in various ways. There is a long, rich history of this stuff, you don’t have to take my word for it. So, any books or narratives or particular stories you think would be illustrative? I'd just like to get a general sense of what you think happens. I assume, then, that you think that exorcism is sometimes justified and necessary? JVL

"How do they manifest themselves? Do they appear in physical form or just as mental constructs?" JVL, They appear in various ways. There is a long, rich history of this stuff, you don't have to take my word for it. Andrew asauber

Asauber: Speaking for myself, that’s my view also. Okay!! How do they manifest themselves? Do they appear in physical form or just as mental constructs? (I think you've already strongly implied the answer but I just do not want to misrepresent your view.) JVL

"your view is that demons are real and active in our world?" JVL, I don't want to speak for Polistra, but it seems to me from his post, the answer is prolly 'yes'. Speaking for myself, that's my view also. Andrew asauber

Polistra: Stop the “clueless” shit. Demons are not clueless. They know EXACTLY what they’re doing. Their expert medical knowledge makes it possible for them to torture and kill EXPERTLY, by perfectly and precisely inverting and reversing ALL REAL MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE AND PROCEDURES. Since I found your response surprising I just wanted to clarify . . . your view is that demons are real and active in our world? JVL

Stop the "clueless" shit. Demons are not clueless. They know EXACTLY what they're doing. Their expert medical knowledge makes it possible for them to torture and kill EXPERTLY, by perfectly and precisely inverting and reversing ALL REAL MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE AND PROCEDURES. polistra

"an honest discussion" Woah. You are asking for a lot. The current institutions of our betters aren't interested in this. Andrew asauber