Denying Reality

[birdie1971]

My wife and I recently visited London and one of the many fascinating places we visited was the National History Museum. The magnificence of this architectural triumph cannot be overstated and neither can the exhibits it contains. However, similar ringing endorsements cannot be said of some of it's visitors.

While walking down the 'fossil marine reptile' corridor where the entire right-hand wall is adorned with a great many aquatic fossils both great and small, I stopped to look at one in particular. In doing so, I found myself standing next to a young couple. The conversation I overheard went like this; she said, “... so you're saying these are fakes?”. Yes, came his reply, “... All these are fakes. They never existed.”.

I find it thoroughly depressing that someone could make such a statement when presented with such unequivocal scientific evidence of proof of prehistoric life. I know as well as the next man how religious beliefs can distort a person's understanding of reality but this really took my breath away.

Anyone else had a similar experience?

[wolf63]

I think that you will find idiots and morons who are both religious and who are, like myself, not religious at all. Much as I would like to blame organised religion for all the idiots in the world it would be a little unfair. :-)


We can argue about religion until the end of time and get absolutely no where. But, as you say, if there is solid proof I fail to understand why people that a discovery or scientific fact is a fake.
Our museum used to have a basement area with lots of interesting displays - skeletons and shrunken heads. As a child I found it all fascinating. The animals on display looked pretty dodgy though - not at all realistic.

I had better go to bed before I throttle a certain lady pussy cat - if she says "eek" in my ear once more..........

[NOX]

I did once have a woman tell me that ' Satan had put fossils in the ground to lead mankind to dark path of believing in evolution'.
Never wanted to shoot anyone in the face so much in my life :(

[birdie1971]

I've just realised that I've typed the 'National History Museum' in my question. It is of course the 'Natural History Museum'.

It's late and I'm tired...

[birdie1971]

Wolf63 - “... I had better go to bed before I throttle a certain lady pussy cat - if she says "eek" in my ear once more...”

I know how you feel but believe me, you'll miss 'em when they're gone :-(

[birdie1971]

NOX -

It's amazing isn't it? The ignorance and arrogance. Although my question is entirely genuine and an honest recollection, I was inspired to write it after viewing this video...

[naomi24]

I agree with the lady who found it sad that this is what is being taught to children as fact. If anything should be considered ‘sin’ it's filling children's heads with nonsense.

If anyone is interested in looking at Ken Ham’s Answers In Genesis website, beware – it will leave the thinking mind incredulous – but it’s here.

http://www.answersing...n4/ten-best-evidences

[Mosaic]

It is incredible, literally, to encounter what individuals will choose to believe in the face of clear evidence to the contrary.
As a youngster I had a friend down the road whose family believed implicitly that having those criss-cross lead strips on the window glass prevented anyone from seeing in through the windows.
This caused endless entertainment for the local youth of an evening, many of whom had favourite spots where they were watching my friend get ready for bed at night time - light on in the bedroom, no curtains.
I even got my friend to leave the bedroom light on and her outside one evening to show her what could be seen.
Even having seen the evidence, she and the entire family just blanked it.

[LazyGun]

I am going to this event at the Natural History Museum - looking forward to it

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/....html?date=09.11.2012

More evidence that people can become very attached to a particular narrative that they have invested in. Then, emotion and faith overcomes the evidence, and people will deny the reality.

In the trivial sense that the fossils on display are fakes, that might be true in the sense that the fossil on display is a replica rather than the real dinosaur bones or what have you, simply because the originals are reserved for additional analysis and study, or that they are too fragile to be exhibited....

[chaptazbru]

I had a friend once who was a 'born again' Christian. At the time I was very interetsed in dinasour bones and fossils and found the whole thing extremely interesting. Suddenly one day she thrust a leaflet into my hand and said she'd really like me to read it. It had been printed by a Christian group and set out to destroy the evidence and existence of dinasours. I took one look and told her I wasn't interested. I extricated myself from the friendship soon after that!

[AliceTickband]

you can have your own opinions but you cannot have your own facts.....

can't remember where I heard that but it sounds like common sense to me!

[birdie1971]

Lazygun - “...I am going to this event at the Natural History Museum...”

I envy you, I really do. From your above link comes this, “... Relax in the beautiful surroundings of the Central Hall...”. Now that's an understatement if ever I read one!

I do hope you've never been there before because the first time you walk in, the sight that awaits you is something quite extraordinary. The Central Hall is breathtaking in its size and grandeur. Couple the architectural magnificence with its many intricate and intimate details with the even more amazing exhibits and you've got a recipe for having your gob well and truly smacked.

One of the things that initially blew me away was a petrified tree stump that you can touch and feel which is tucked away in one of the many alcoves of the Central Hall. Doesn't sound very exciting. But when you read that it's about 230 million years old then it kind of makes your head spin a little. Well it did for me :-)

I hope you have a great time.