I don't think that's quite where I'm coming from. Maybe starting with what Sudsy said would be helpful:GaryK wrote:But have you considered that it could be perceived that much of what you post seems to be saying there's something wrong with people like those who don't agree with the mainstream scientific community?
I think "scoff" and "laugh at" are about right. The problem isn't that people have more than one opinion.Sudsy wrote:The men I have contact with outside of church mainly scoff at the thought of global warming and when it gets colder than the historical average (reflected on internet weather updates) or even last year, they laugh at what scientists are saying. I think many men scoff at lawyers, politicians, religions and scientists and those who appear to be 'in the know' when things don't appear or are not what these 'intellectuals' think. When climate change does come up in a conversation, in my experience, men don't see any real threat.
It's one thing to say, e.g., "I don't understand what climate change is all about", or "I know mainstream scientists seem to think this is a problem, I'm not sure I trust the experts on things like this". That's quite different from mocking them - especially when mocking them for things they aren't even saying. The phrase "you mock what you do not understand" comes to mind. People seem to be acting like they have proven that the experts are wrong when they haven't even read what the experts are saying. And the obvious hostility makes it really uncomfortable for me when I feel that I have taken the time to read and understand these things, including articles posted on the other side of the issue.
Do you believe the mainstream scientific community when you choose whether to drive over a bridge, whether to drink water when you can't actually see what's in it, or what to do in order to observe a solar eclipse safely? I suspect most people believe the mainstream scientific community on many issues, whether or not they agree on human origins.GaryK wrote:I found it interesting that you choose not to agree with the mainstream scientific community on the issue of human origins. Why the picking and choosing?
That doesn't mean I don't question what my doctor says, or how someone did a water sample. But I do take the time to carefully understand what they are saying and why first. And I don't mock them for their opinion.