Why Deny Knowledge?

Knowledge - acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation; general erudition: knowledge of many things. (Dictionary.com)

Fact - something that actually exists; reality; truth: Your fears have no basis in fact. (Dictionary.com)

I ended my previous blog because all I did was complain in it and it made me sound like a pretentious git. I intend to use this blog more for arguments about things that actually matter. I hope.

I gave the above definitions just so I'm on the same page with the three whole people who will probably think about reading this. Anyway, I wanted to address an issue I find frustrating and somewhat fascinating at the same time. This issue would be the question of why people deny knowledge, facts and truths.

Why would someone not want to know as much as they can about the world around us? As an atheist I want to know as much as I can about the world around me. It fascinates me. I want to know why things world, why people do the things they do, why do people deny knowledge? Wouldn't even a theist want to know how the process of photosynthesis works, or why my hair is brown and yours is blond? I can understand that most would say, "It is the way God designed us, in his image." That's fine, but is that all you're going to accept? Wouldn't you want to know how God does the things he does?

Let me try to elaborate with a true example of what happened in a Biology class I had a few weeks ago. Let's name my teacher Dr. Jack Daniels, theist #1 Sally Gum Drops, and theist #2 Willy Wonka. Of course I will be playing the part of me.

Now of course I can't remember every single detail, but I'll sure try. I can't quite remember how to the conversation started, but one of the other classmates asked Dr. Jack Daniels how cells develop an immunity to certain bacteria and viruses. Now, mind yourself that Dr. Jack Daniels has to be very touchy on the subject, because it involves evolution, and he knows that he cannot talk about something that would contradict the belief's of his students, god-forbid. Now, Dr. Jack Daniels starts by explaining, "Well cells sort of evolve over time, developing immunities to certain viruses and bacteria after experiencing their effects just like our entire bodies do to diseases, like chicken pocks. Once you get it once, with a large enough exposure, your body creates a defense within your immunity system to keep the chicken pocks from effecting you ever again. Of course, being able to develop defenses resembles the theorized adaptation and evolution of life from the beginning in a sort of primordial soup, if you will-"

Ah, and here's where Willy Wonka comes in. Very rudely he semi-shouts, "Bull crap." I can understand if you don't want to listen to the teacher talk, but why not just not pay attention like you do all the fucking time when he's talking about our chapter lessons and trying to help you pass!? It's rude enough that you so belatedly interrupted him while he was talking, but it's even more rude that the time you take to actually pay attention in class you do not even let him try to educate people who actually give to shits.

Dr. Jack Daniels proceeds by saying, "Well it's fine, not everyone believes the same thing, that's okay. It's just theorized that this event took place millions of years ago."

Now Sally Gum Drops at least lets him finish his sentence. She proceeds to ask, "I don't understand why scientists have to figure everything out. Like, why can't they just believe?" She is of course referring to just believing in God.

I oh so wanted to turn around and say, "Well, because just saying, 'God did it,' isn't quite good enough." But I didn't because I didn't feel like upstarting a giant quarrel in the middle of a class I care too much about.

I can't remember what happened next, but hopefully you get my point by now. While Dr. Jack Daniels tries to deliver the knowledge, Willy Wonka and Sally Gum Drops refuse to sign for it. This I just don't understand. Am I saying don't believe in God? No. Am I saying that believing in God breathes ignorance? No. What I'm saying is that, sometimes, believing in God is the only answer and there just can be no more for you.

Having one answer for everything seems stale though, doesn't it? If you asked me, "Why does my ass stink," or, "Why is the sky blue," or even, "Why the hell are you so damn fat, Logan?" and I just gave you the same answer over and over, your questions would be met with blandness and an ignorance to back it up.

I do appreciate the theists who can look at the process of photosynthesis and explain how it happens, why it happens, and when, and their beliefs still hold firm. Science shouldn't shake your beliefs if they truly exist, so why deny it?