Another Argument Against Flat Earth

[pitabread]

What would exempt people from believing in a flat earth ? Note that I'm not really debating this point with you ... I'm just curious as to your thoughts).

I can't think of any reason why anyone would believe in a flat Earth. It seems like a belief without motivation.

 

[A_Thinker]

Outside of maybe people from an un-contacted tribe in the middle of the Amazon or something, I genuinely find it difficult to believe that anyone can think the world is flat. Especially given the generally ludicrous nature of flat Earther claims in general and the complete lack of any underlying reason to believe in a flat Earth.

Creationists I can get because that's at least tied to a religious belief system. And I can even accept the existence of other conspiracy theorists like 9/11, etc, since their seem like other motivation for those beliefs.

I can't fathom the motivation for flat Earthism though. It has no reason to exist.

Plus, given that I've seen various folks online admitting to trolling by pretending to profess flat Earth beliefs, it becomes even harder to take seriously.

Some Flat Earthers believe that their position is the more Biblical response, though it undeniable that the majority of Bible believers also believe in a spherical Earth.

Among non-Biblical Flat Earthers (and among Flat Earthers in general) I find a tendency to be contrarian and to believe in conspiracy.

 

[Zetetica]

Outside of maybe people from an un-contacted tribe in the middle of the Amazon or something, I genuinely find it difficult to believe that anyone can think the world is flat. Especially given the generally ludicrous nature of flat Earther claims in general and the complete lack of any underlying reason to believe in a flat Earth.

Creationists I can get because that's at least tied to a religious belief system. And I can even accept the existence of other conspiracy theorists like 9/11, etc, since their seem like other motivation for those beliefs.

I can't fathom the motivation for flat Earthism though. It has no reason to exist.

Plus, given that I've seen various folks online admitting to trolling by pretending to profess flat Earth beliefs, it becomes even harder to take seriously.

I'm real but I'm likely leaving CF soon, mainly due to an irreconcilable difference in opinion and being told I'm not Christian and unwelcome to post freely in the various sections because of this.

I wish you well, and hope the best for you and yours. Spherical or flat, we're all in this together.

 

[USincognito]

If an organization or individual is caught in fraud, do you continue to trust them?

What organization/individual would that be?

 

[Zetetica]

What organization/individual would that be?

Any, it was a question.

 

[A_Thinker]

It's sort of like the movie Fight Club. Except instead of a club that exists and that nobody is allowed to talk about, you have a club that doesn't exist and everyone talks about it.

So you don't think that you know of anyone who might be susceptible to belief in a Flat Earth ?

 

[A_Thinker]

To truly settle the question, an observer needs to get "out of the system." On the Earth's surface, that is to say, IN the system, the debate can go on. However, if some observer is UP THERE, looking down at the Earth, the debate should be resolved. Um...do we not have video from the ISS showing more than one orbit around the Earth? How can a flat-earther answer that...? Again, selective evidence, as I said.

Flat Earthers don't believe any evidence which they, themselves, do not produce ...

 

[A_Thinker]

Yes. There are points in the first video where there is an obvious convex curvature, and points where there is even concave curvature. How would that be possible if the video had not been altered?

The photography made available by balloons in high orbit are not reliable indicators ... and the cameras are not rigidly mounted and tend to induce concavity or convexity based upon the camera angle.

 

[Lazarus Short]

Flat Earthers don't believe any evidence which they, themselves, do not produce ...

Again, I see mostly bad logic, faulty assumptions and selective evidence on the part of the flat-earthers. I can't give them much credence...

 

[pitabread]

So you don't think that you know of anyone who might be susceptible to belief in a Flat Earth ?

Personally, no.

The closest was I used to know someone who was skeptical of climate change. And I have a relative that believes in mystic healing.

Other than that, I don't know anyone with anything I would consider fringe beliefs.

 

[A_Thinker]

1. Objects fall because they are denser than the surrounding medium.

Why do object fall in a vacuum, ... where there is no medium ?

 

[Zetetica]

Why do object fall in a vacuum, ... where there is no medium ?

No idea, perhaps one or more of those possibilities I referenced a while back in this thread.

 

[pitabread]

Some Flat Earthers believe that their position is the more Biblical response, though it undeniable that the majority of Bible believers also believe in a spherical Earth.

I suppose I could see someone at the very fringe of Christianity trying to make an argument for a Biblical Flat Earth. But even that is so fringe it's hard to believe it exists.

Among non-Biblical Flat Earthers (and among Flat Earthers in general) I find a tendency to be contrarian and to believe in conspiracy.

Is there no deeper reason though?

The reason I ask is that having done prior research into why people believe conspiracies, there are usually deeper motivations associated with them. Fear seems to be a common factor which is why so many conspiracies arise out of tragedies. It's basically a type of coping mechanism.

Flat Earthism doesn't seem to have anything like that associated with it. There just doesn't seem any reason to believe in it. As far as conspiracies go, it's pretty lame.

 

[A_Thinker]

Personally, no.

The closest was I used to know someone who was skeptical of climate change. And I have a relative that believes in mystic healing.

Other than that, I don't know anyone with anything I would consider fringe beliefs.

Lucky you ....

 

[A_Thinker]

Is there no deeper reason though?

The reason I ask is that having done prior research into why people believe conspiracies, there are usually deeper motivations associated with them. Fear seems to be a common factor which is why so many conspiracies arise out of tragedies. It's basically a type of coping mechanism.

I think that there is an element of revolution against accepted authority. Some are rebelling against the belief that anyone could know better than they do ...

 

[A_Thinker]

Judging, yes. I am rather sure that's unavoidable. I think we judge the moment we hear or see, even feel something. Having an opinion on someone or what they believe, having assumptions, that's all judging; perhaps it's not Biblical judging though.

However, I have not belittled anyone here for their conviction in Heliocentricism, have I? Have i called any "crazy"? "Satanic"? "Brainwashed"? No. I've certainly expressed my opinion about indoctrination, through a quote by my friend but I've not once attacked anyone here over any belief. Have I?

You have been a rather model discussion participant ...

 

[pitabread]

I think that there is an element of revolution against accepted authority. Some are rebelling against the belief that anyone could know better than they do ...

Eh, it just seems rather weak though.

I can understand the existence of other conspiracies because there is more at stake. Something like 9/11 for example where thousands of people died. The prospect of getting on an airplane that might not make it to its destination intact is a very real fear and I can understand why conspiracies evolve out of such tragedies.

But flat Earth? Okay, so let's pretend that NASA is secretly conspiring to convince everyone the world is flat. So? There doesn't seem to be anything at stake here.

That's why I have trouble seeing the motivation.

On the other hand, I can easily see the motivation of people wanting to just troll by pretending to advocate for a flat Earth.

 

[Zetetica]

You have been a rather model discussion participant ...

What does this mean?

 

[Bungle_Bear]

The photography made available by balloons in high orbit are not reliable indicators ... and the cameras are not rigidly mounted and tend to induce concavity or convexity based upon the camera angle.

I know. I was being facetious

 

[A_Thinker]

Some, not all. Sharing our opinions? Yes. Why not? You share yours?

Some Flat Earthers are on a mission to convert the world to their beliefs ...