Implausible Beliefs: In the Bible, Astrology, and UFOs - Hardcover

-Why do intelligent, educated people take the biblical story of creation literally, believe in UFOs, or slavishly follow the advice they find in their horoscopes? How can suicide bombers in the Middle East believe that by killing innocent people they will become martyrs and gain immediate entry to paradise? In Implausible Beliefs, sociologist Allan Mazur dissects these and other notions that run counter to both modern science and common sense and finds explanations for them in socialization, in group identities, and in social and historical contexts. Mazur is equally at ease describing Moses leading the Children of Israel out of Egypt (and citing the lack of corroborating historical evidence), relating the experiences of people who believe they have been abducted by aliens in flying saucers, and explaining the signs of the Zodiac. This is a fascinating and significant book that provides insights into some of contemporary society's most current and critical dilemmas.- --Albert H. Teich, American Association for the Advancement of Science -A provocative examination and response to the question: Why do so many Americans accept weird beliefs--from the Bible and astrology to UFOlogy?...an engaging inquiry.- --Paul Kurtz, Professor Emeritus, State University of New York at Buffalo, and Chairman, Center for Inquiry -Implausible Beliefs offers an in-depth examination of the focus and meaning of religious views in modern society, and deserves a place on the shelf of any college-level social issues collection and the study list of non-specialist general readers with an interest in how belief systems are created evolve, and endure.- --The Midwest Book Review "Why do intelligent, educated people take the biblical story of creation literally, believe in UFOs, or slavishly follow the advice they find in their horoscopes? How can suicide bombers in the Middle East believe that by killing innocent people they will become martyrs and gain immediate entry to paradise? In Implausible Beliefs, sociologist Allan Mazur dissects these and other notions that run counter to both modern science and common sense and finds explanations for them in socialization, in group identities, and in social and historical contexts. Mazur is equally at ease describing Moses leading the Children of Israel out of Egypt (and citing the lack of corroborating historical evidence), relating the experiences of people who believe they have been abducted by aliens in flying saucers, and explaining the signs of the Zodiac. This is a fascinating and significant book that provides insights into some of contemporary society's most current and critical dilemmas." --Albert H. Teich, American Association for the Advancement of Science "A provocative examination and response to the question: Why do so many Americans accept weird beliefs--from the Bible and astrology to UFOlogy?...an engaging inquiry." --Paul Kurtz, Professor Emeritus, State University of New York at Buffalo, and Chairman, Center for Inquiry "Implausible Beliefs offers an in-depth examination of the focus and meaning of religious views in modern society, and deserves a place on the shelf of any college-level social issues collection and the study list of non-specialist general readers with an interest in how belief systems are created evolve, and endure." --The Midwest Book Review "Why do intelligent, educated people take the biblical story of creation literally, believe in UFOs, or slavishly follow the advice they find in their horoscopes? How can suicide bombers in the Middle East believe that by killing innocent people they will become martyrs and gain immediate entry to paradise? In "Implausible Beliefs," sociologist Allan Mazur dissects these and other notions that run counter to both modern science and common sense and finds explanations for them in socialization, in group identities, and in social and historical contexts. Mazur is equally at ease describing Moses leading the Children of Israel out of Egypt (and citing the lack of corroborating historical evidence), relating the experiences of people who believe they have been abducted by aliens in flying saucers, and explaining the signs of the Zodiac. This is a fascinating and significant book that provides insights into some of contemporary society's most current and critical dilemmas." --Albert H. Teich, "American Association for the Advancement of Science" "A provocative examination and response to the question: Why do so many Americans accept weird beliefs--from the Bible and astrology to UFOlogy?...an engaging inquiry." --Paul Kurtz, Professor Emeritus, State University of New York at Buffalo, and Chairman, Center for Inquiry ""Implausible Beliefs" offers an in-depth examination of the focus and meaning of religious views in modern society, and deserves a place on the shelf of any college-level social issues collection and the study list of non-specialist general readers with an interest in how belief systems are created evolve, and endure." --The "Midwest Book Review " "Why do intelligent, educated people take the biblical story of creation literally, believe in UFOs, or slavishly follow the advice they find in their horoscopes? How can suicide bombers in the Middle East believe that by killing innocent people they will become martyrs and gain immediate entry to paradise? In "Implausible Beliefs", sociologist Allan Mazur dissects these and other notions that run counter to both modern science and common sense and finds explanations for them in socialization, in group identities, and in social and historical contexts. Mazur is equally at ease describing Moses leading the Children of Israel out of Egypt (and citing the lack of corroborating historical evidence), relating the experiences of people who believe they have been abducted by aliens in flying saucers, and explaining the signs of the Zodiac. This is a fascinating and significant book that provides insights into some of contemporary society's most current and critical dilemmas." --Albert H. Teich, "American Association for the Advancement of Science" "A provocative examination and response to the question: Why do so many Americans accept weird beliefs--from the Bible and astrology to UFOlogy?...an engaging inquiry." --Paul Kurtz, Professor Emeritus, State University of New York at Buffalo, and Chairman, Center for Inquiry ""Implausible Beliefs" offers an in-depth examination of the focus and meaning of religious views in modern society, and deserves a place on the shelf of any college-level social issues collection and the study list of non-specialist general readers with an interest in how belief systems are created evolve, and endure." --The "Midwest Book Review "