Why is there a flat earth society?

Question

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_earth_society

Are people really that dumb?

Answer 1

once I put an answer about it in the spanish forum

imagine they once take a theory and make a big (very big) announcement that it is their belief (he he)

imagine that later some people thinks in the same way as they do

but, later, science proves them wrong

and, they have invested half their lives and credibility on the enterpise

if they dont have the guts to admit publicly their mistake, the embarrasment and sorrow will put them on the way to invent anything to go on, and deny anithing against it

its pure shame (the finest of it, hehe, 24 karats))

(pardon my english, jeje)

Answer 2

Why?  Because some people are at war with science.  They want to disbelieve so badly that they will take anything available to "prove" their anti-science position.  They will conduct poor experiments that "prove" their position.  They ignore ten thousand experiments put forth by science and accept their "data."

If you think a flat earth is crazy how about a concave Earth.  The Koreshans believe that the Earth and universe are contained within a concave sphere, or 'cell'.  The Koreshans even conducted several experiments that "proved" their point.

There are many biblical references that imply a flat Earth.  One of the most direct is, Matthew 4:8, “Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.”  But, you can’t see the entire world from a mountain - unless the Earth is flat!

Answer 3

For the same reason creationist groups like Answers in Genesis exist.  These people WANT to believe the bible is true in every word, and they think if they argue hard enough for it they can quiet the voice in the back of their mind that tells them its not.

I, also, don't think many of these people really believe the earth is flat, just like I don't think the creationists believe the world is 6000 years old, or the 2012 people really believe the world will end in 4 years for that matter.  Their whole 'something to prove' attitude in trying to wage a war on science and claim any petty victory they can is evidence of how unsure they are of their own position.

It must suck to fight so hard for something that you know deep down inside is a lie.

Answer 4

'you can't fix stupid'

i love ron white....

it's right tho... some people are just so completely ignorant they can't be helped.... take the westboro babtist people for example....

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9102443

Answer 5

I guess.

It's similar to this whole U.F.O/ghost/who shot Kennedy thing. It's just another goofy thing that people chose to believe.  

Answer 6

Yes, people really are that stupid.  Those who believe in the Bermuda triangle are silly too, but they have at least some evidence, even though most of it is lies.  

There are passages in the Bible that imply a flet Earth, others imply a round one.  In the 7th century, or around then two theologians proposed that the Earth was flat based on the passage that says that all people would see the second coming.  If the Earth was round a physical second coming at Jerusalem would not be visible in say Ireland or China.  

However the roundness of the Earth has been known since at least 300 BC when the size was calculated roughly.  People with education knew this even in the 7th century and ignored the two theologians.  

The church never claimed the Earth was flat, not even 1500 years ago.

The flat earthers are not only scientifically wrong but their religious dogma is false as well.  

Answer 7

Actually these people may be quite clever.  Many people, approaching death, discover that their relatives are annoying and that you don't want them to get a cent of your money.  What to do?  To show your disdain for your worthless relatives many people leave money to the flat earth society.  The society (or some subset of it) gets money, annoying relatives don't.   There is also the joy of being contrary.  Reality is so boring.  I like to pretend I believe in pixies and faeries.  I really don't, but occasionally I will say I do just to perplex people.  I'm guessing that few of its members truly disbelieve that the world is spherical.  

Answer 8

Idiots will be idiots, and nothing you say will change that...

Answer 9

Because there are still people whose minds have been poisoned by religion. The bible says that the Earth is flat, so by god, some people still insist that it's flat. Of course there's very solid evidence that it isn't, but such people willingly cast aside any evidence that conflicts with their primitive superstitions.

Answer 10

I'm with Richard. I think it has more to do with having a contrary personality than intelligence.

And, you know, if any of us really examined our "beliefs" with true objectivity by the scientific method there's a good chance they wouldn't make sense either.

Take the feeling that "beauty" is dependent on being thin or the idea that every American "deserves" to be happy and our expectation of that.

Answer 11

I wanted to ask this question. It seems so. At first I though it was an internet prank or something like that, but they're real. Kinda' scary, isn't it?

Humanity never ceases to amaze me.

These guys believe that the photo's taken by satellites, the Moon landing and a lot of other stuff are just hoaxes. O, My God!

Answer 12

because you cant fix stupid