Why do (some) people stubbornly hold on to beliefs that they must know cannot be correct, or true?

[PA19062024]

If I'm wrong about something, I won't have a meltdown when I eventually come to realise the mistake I've made; in fact, just the opposite. I'll be grateful to be able to abandon a belief that turned out to be false. After all, "the truth shall set you free" (G. John, 8:32).

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

The short answer: identity.


There are beliefs that are inherently tied to one’s identity and admitting that those beliefs are wrong is emotionally equivalent to saying a part of themselves is wrong. It’s happened with plenty of evangelical types who don’t want to admit the historical reason why so many of them became anti-abortion was because they lost the fight against integration in private schools. Prior to that, most churches didn’t care about abortion and Roe v. Wade was openly supported by the church. They believed life began at breath, but after losing the fight against integrating private schools they pivoted into politics and started looking for politicians who “represented us” which led into so many right-leaning politicians openly advocating for theocratic law. Most people don’t want to hear about that because of how much that racist history conflicts with their current identity views.

[PA19062024]

You mention the right-wing identitarians, but what about the left? BLM? Antifa? Just Stop Oil?

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

Admittedly I don’t know that part of their history. I only learned about that piece I mentioned from those protesting the anti-abortion protesters at a clinic and someone posted the video online. Democrats and most left-leaning americans (who are definitely not democrats they’re center right at their leftest) don’t necessarily have the same domination in identity politics aside from maybe those trying to have people name drag queens in an effort to validate their queerness, which is just odd.

[silvermoon84]

I took the Pfizer vaccine. No, I don’t feel any more sick than before. Only when allergy season comes around, but that’s got nothing to do with the vaccine or with covid

[Anonymous]

Some things are obviously BS.