that does not agree with their interpretation of the bible.

the table, hence making them easy prey for manipulation by politicians using their belief structures as conduits to use for manipulation.

When you can't use facts, you attack them.

The facts do not support their ideology, so rather than say, "I should re-think my ideology", they reject the facts.

I have been saying for years that ignorance of history, political theory, economics and science is extremely helpful to conservatives (and required for libertarians).

with deep seated beliefs of any mindset not only were unreceptive to cold, hard facts but actually dug in their heels more. It appears that for many unenlightened people, the more you tell them, the literal less they will know.

The word "egghead" has long been used to disparage thinkers and those who try to rely on facts and evidence. It's what Richard Nixon called Democratic candidate Adlai Stevenson when I was young. Calling someone an "intellectual" is almost an epithet in some circles. I've heard Republicans accuse both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama of being dreaded intellectuals. In American society, students who don't play football or cheerlead but prefer to read books and carry on intelligent conversations in the classroom are put down as nerds or geeks. The term "ivory tower liberal" used to bash a college professor who might have some expert words of advice on a topic has also been used by the right when they don't like what he has to say.

"You've got to remember that these are just simple farmers. These are people of the land. The common clay of the new West. You know... morons."

Craft fictitious talking points, throw in a wedge issue or two to create bias, repeat the lie often enough, and you can get incurious weak-minded sheep to believe in just about anything.

A stupid population is easier to control and manipulate.

And when you frighten them with mythology and vapors, they vacuum up quarters from between the couch cushions to send to your campaign, so you can "save them."

Dumb is lucrative.

First Corinthians 1:27: "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."

In other words, "can't argue with stupid" is the Christian motto. Because, see, if you're smarter than a Christian, you're doing the devil's work.

If they were all poorly educated fools then you could understand easy. But look at Dave Brat. He's a highly educated man with several degrees. He clearly knows a lot and has read a lot and yet he comes off an ignorant fool. Why? People that are highly educated are skilled in arguing. They thus can convince themselves that something impossibly to be true is not only true but that you are a fool to not believe them. When you hear a highly educated person argue against gay marriage or for the end of separation in church in state they can sound intelligent, make convincing arguments etc. They just happen to be horribly, terribly wrong. When something you want to be true is argued to you from a position of authority people will believe.

They embrace ignorance because obviously they don't see their views as ignorant. The echo chamber that has been constructed on the right makes it easier and easier to reaffirm weird beliefs and find what seem to be reasonable arguments to support this view. Without ever having to confront facts counter to their view... why would they think anything else?

You had to know many many people told him his pronunciation of nuclear was wrong and made him look like a moron. But that George, didn't want to seem all high and mighty and over edumacated to the common man. He pronounced it nucular, as a badge of pride and that'll show them ivory tower liberal professor types.

I think the Republican hatred of intelligence stems from three things: teacher-initiated prayer not being allowed in public schools, sex education in public schools, and the theory of evolution. They have perceived these things as an attack by the educated on God, the Bible, and their Christian way of life. Ever since the Scopes trial they've regarded our system of schools and universities with great distrust and began to hate anything that smacked in any way of intelligence. That has only persisted and grown to the situation we have today.

and it's recognized as a pronunciation by Merriam-Webster.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nuclear

by Richard Hofstader

that some of the Republican rank and file hated that "smart" kid in school who, from their perspective, always had things come easy for them. Thus they eagerly embrace ignorance because it is a way for them to self identify as not being that "smart kid" whom they hate.

And they really didn't get what that smart kid was saying anyway so as a self defense mechanism they decided to belittle it. Thus when we try to talk reason to them they hear exactly what Charlie Brown's teacher sounds like in the cartoon: "wah.. wah...aw... wah... wah" They have, in fact, worked quite hard NOT to hear what we are saying and they actively work to dismiss it.

This is how some in the rank and file see it. The leaders on the other hand play the game for political opportunity and not because they are specifically stupid (though some, but definitely not all, actually are.)

brainwashed audience thanks to fox "news" and limbaughs and their wannabes.