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GREAT LETTER ON SKEPTICISM AND BELIEF
From: Susan Kawa
To: James Randi and Michael Shermer
Dear James and Michael,
I've been reading, steadily, the small library of books you've produced, and
felt it was time to register some of my comments.
I may represent the "average" convert from conventional thinking to
skepticism and nontheism. I am a college graduate in my late 30's, married,
two kids, a dog, cat, and nice little suburban brick house. While I
understand that some people are "born skeptics", my migration toward
skeptical thinking has occurred over a period of several years.
I notice that you both repeatedly express dismay that upon a particularly
illuminating event or conversation, a person doesn't smack her
forehead (V8!) and see the light. I think you
should recognize and acknowledge that people who
will change their life philosophy based on such a single
conversation or event - are NOT the sort of people you want
championing the cause of critical thinking.
I think I understand why, when you present a compelling case to "believers"
(of paranormal phenomena and/or theism), that they reject it outright
or (later) weasel an alternate explanation that
aligns with their original thinking.
(For the purposes of this explanation, I will lump paranormalists with
theists. I realize this is a blatant simplification, but the
psychological motivation is
perhaps similar.)
You have to appreciate how invested people are in their belief system(s),
even when they don't THINK they are. I was not raised in a
particularly religious family. We did not go to
church, but we celebrated Christmas and the other
major Christian holidays. I never thought to question the
existence of God - as I was busy having hormones, spending hours on
the phone, and doing homework. (Incidentally, I
never thought to question what I read in the
newspaper or in textbooks either.) As an adult, my mindset is a
direct result of my experiences; my knowledge base built on what - by
study or by osmosis - I "accepted". How much of
that foundation was true, and how much false, I
still cannot hazard a guess.
My transition (to skepticism/nontheism) has therefore been arduous. It is a
heart-rending path, very similar to my other experiences of profound
loss and grief. I'm not sure I would wish it upon
others (though I believe the eventual payoff -
clearer thinking - will be worth it for me.)
This incident provides a nice metaphor:
When my son was 7 or 8, he came to me asking about the real scoop on Santa
Claus. He had it pretty much figured out, but felt it necessary to
appeal to
his ultimate authority (Mom) for the last word. I let him down easy (spirit
of giving, spreading the joy, blah blah blah) and he was okay with
it. Over the next week, he turned the concept over
and over in his mind, and periodically approached
me.
"Easter Bunny?" .Yes, Hon.
He went off to percolate some more.
"Tooth Fairy?" .Yup.
"April Fool Imp?". (long story) . Yes. All me. Even that thing with the
water balloons.
And in the end, he sat in my lap and confessed miserably, "I wish you hadn't
told me."
This is sometimes how I feel. I wish I could hold onto the belief that I
will see my dead mother again, or that my spirit will live on for
eternity, or that the
really long life-line on my palm constitutes a guarantee. I
don't LIKE knowing otherwise. And I frankly have not enjoyed the
domino effect this skepticism has had on my entire
belief structure (I'm still trying to replace
religious references in my vernacular - with very limited
success.) The one exception to this is the realization that my
thoughts are my own. It may seem a small
distinction, but let me tell you, it was
Earth-shattering for me.
To expect a single conversation or event to cause this profound
transformation is unrealistic. The impact it has on a person's life
can be devastating, and may require a grieving
period. It is much easier to stop at "denial",
when that is an option. (I certainly would have liked to stop at
"denial" when I heard that my mother had died in an accident.)
Voluntarily slogging through a reconstruction of one's psychological, and
philosophical foundation, I think you will agree, lacks appeal to all
but the most personally motivated.
People gravitate toward the "skeptical movement" when they are strong enough
or open-minded enough to accept the responsibility, effort, and
personal
sacrifice (socially, and spiritually) that it requires.
A change in cultural climate is the best hope scientists and skeptics have
to propagate this way of thinking. In the mean time, there is a
percentage of the population that will espouse
skepticism on their own, and in their own time.
I'll end this with a sincere "Thanks!" for your continued and tireless
efforts to provide people like me with books, articles, and
commentaries to keep us thinking. I find them very
helpful, even when I don't agree.
Very Truly Yours,
Susan Kawa |
