1/3 of Americans Believe Saddam Was Involved in 911 Attacks

1/3 also believe in ghosts and UFOs, though not necessarily the same 1/3.

Should customary standards of evidence be applied to these beliefs?

Is it enough that people, for their own reasons, believe these things?

Should you extend respect for personal beliefs to both groups - and if not, why not?

that's too fucking bizarre to believe.

but remember...this is the Republican base:rofl:

over beliefs in ghosts and UFOs, then I'd have a big problem with tolerance for those beliefs. But believing in ghosts and UFOs seem harmless enough. Personally, I don't believe in ghosts, ufos (as in the beings from other planets kind) or that Saddam had anything to do with 9/11.

I am a skeptic through and through. I like proof, not speculation, before I sign onto anything.

Mz Pip
:dem:

years, regardless of the reason and even if the administration does or did admit there was no connection, such beliefs are purely academic.

No?

that anyone who still believes that Saddam had anything to do with 9/11 at this late date is either stupid, delusional or both.

Mz Pip
:dem:

I think it's interesting that most on DU would agree - though belief in others things for which there is no evidence is supposed to be treated with respect.

I would instead suggest that anything that promotes faith in things in unverified things contributes to the faith in other unverified things - including dangerous things.

may just be easier. It doesn't require critical thinking, which for a lot of people is downright impossible. Maybe it's intellectual laziness, maybe it's just a desire to believe in something magical. I sort of think that people who believe in ghosts, in ufos are hoping for somethng other worldly that just might be able to influence events. Maybe we'll be rescued from our current path toward nuclear annilhilation by those so much smarter beings from Planet Wazzoo (remember "The Day theEarth Stood Still"? ) Maybe our long dead Grandmother, or guardian angel, or beloved departed pet can keep us safe from speeding taxis.

All those beliefs can be dangerous, especially if it keeps you from looking both ways when crossing the street.

Mz Pip
:dem:

prescription, they are getting dosed extra in their drinking water.

"To say that Iraq didn't attack America on 9/11 is to surrender to the terrorists, she added."

http://laist.com/2007/10/25/ann_coulter_i_d.php

that stupid. She really has gone over the edge.

If someone is beating on your door in the middle of the night you need to confirm just who the party is - and then act accordingly.

Beliefs in UFO's aren't testable/confirmable.

Beliefs that demand serious action (such as invading a country) need to heavily scrutinized beforehand.

I once told my daughter that I voted democratic primarily b/c I felt they had better brakes.

point in time the belief about Saddam is purely academic.

although in its particulars the belief in SH causing/facilitating/assisting with 9/11 is academic as you say,
b/c it's a done deal,
the lack of critical thinking on this segment of our population will only continue to pose new problems.

problems - though I'd extend that lack to a number of the "33%" groups.

They probably make up most of the war supporters. I also saw a poll back in '04 that said 85% of American troops serving in Iraq believed the Saddam-9/11 connection. That makes them just as delusional as the jihadis.

It's also a deliberate tactic of the neocons (IMHO) to push these memes. Philip Zeliokw called them "public ppresumptions".

..."contemporary" history is "defined functionally by those critical people and events that go into forming the public's presumptions about its immediate past. The idea of 'public presumption'," he explained, "is akin to William McNeill's notion of 'public myth' but without the negative implication sometimes invoked by the word 'myth.' Such presumptions are beliefs (1) thought to be true (although not necessarily known to be true with certainty), and (2) shared in common within the relevant political community."

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

1) he's Muslim
2) he hates America

That's all the 'proof' they need. Even if you convinced them that Saddam and bin Laden hated each other (which they did) and they would have no logically reason to work together, the 33%ers would still believe that because they both hated America enough to put aside any differences for the larger goal of destroying America.

It's not a belief system, it's not a "personal experience" situation, and it most certainly isn't based on healthy curiosity and an open mind. It's simply ignoring the facts.

You cannot even compare the two, and it is really condescending to even imply that they're even remotely similar.

Those who willfully delude themselves ought not have their ideas respected, any more than a runner who hobbles himself ought have his time respected.

You know - like the WMDs were smuggled out of Iraq which is why they were never found.

You can't put any idea past someone who really WANTS something to be true.

AND in the aftermath of 911--people were GLUED to the news reports...trying to figure out who the bad guys were.
Once the media blitz told them it was Saddam, many went back to their soap operas, reality shows and have never had reason to change their minds.

uguu

I couldn't care less what ppl believe in - PROVIDED they do not create a political group (or group-think situation) that can destroy my country.

It doesn't matter what subject matter that willful ignorance pertains to.

Believing something for the sake of believing something is what children do, because children don't know any better. Adults who do it are psychologically stunted and immature.

That's just a personal belief also. There is not one shred of evidence supporting the existence of a supernatural, magical, mythical sky fairy.

You have no reservations about bashing people who believe in UFOs or ghosts, why are you afraid to bash christians?

First of all, belief in God is more than likely drilled into the person during a time in their life they were highly suggestible, be it in early childhood or during a period of great loss or uncertainty. There are many highly organized, highly persuasive, nearly predatory God-pushing organizations full of people trying to convert everyone in sight. They are called "religions." Belief in the paranormal, on the other hand, is a conscious decision to reject science and believe in that for which there lacks evidence.

The second is that persons are far more likely to make belief in God a central tenant of their world view. Many people base their entire well-being on the belief that there exists a God taking care of their dead mother and sharing in their successes and failures. Many people base their moralities and world-views on God--in fact, were you a member of an Abrahamic faith, it is necessary for you to do so. Religion is like training wheels for morality. Some people can't go on without it, and it's not quite fair to berate them for that. On the other hand, belief in woo-woo crap like ghosts and UFOs does not generally shoulder that burden.

from the earliest time I can remember until I was 16 years old and finally just flat out refused to go anymore. I never felt right being there, I never fit in & I never "believed", although I was "baptised" at 14 just to shut my mom up.

Quite honestly, I *do* base my life and world view on my beliefs in UFOs & ghosts, as I have personally SEEN a ghost/spirit and I have personally witnessed UFOs on several occasions. I've had personal experiences with them, yet I've never had a personal experience with god. Religion is a crutch and a means for people to not hold themselves responsible for their own actions. YAY! God got me a job! It had nothing to do with my education and qualifications... OH NO! The Devil made me screw around on my spouse!!! See.. denying personal responsibility.

People can consider me nuts or "woo woo" all they want, but I'll consider myself more enlightened and more open minded than they are any day of the week.

who has based his system of personal morality on ghosts and aliens. More power to you, sir.

I thought it was interesting.

Bushco.

felt Bushco was somehow complicit (as in LIHOP) - I'd be more surprised if a full 1/3 believed Bushco engineered it fully.

nt

I.
Don't.
Think.
So.

I have nothing against faith. I have something against blind faith, though. That's the stuff Hitler and Stalin march forward upon.

dixit Stephen Colbert :-)