Why do people have the apparent need to believe in the unprovable and illogical?

Question

only a few believe in all the possibilities but it seems that even if you leave out religion the majority have some improbable belief running the gauntlet from aliens to telekinesis

Answer 1

Superstitions developed in prehistory when our ancestors had no way of understanding the world around them in the way we do now. It helped them deal with things that they felt were frightening. As time went on, we learned new things and laid old superstitions to rest. Or did we?

Some people keep superstitions because they're fun and add a bit of flavor that facts alone can't provide. Others keep them because it makes them feel safe. And still others keep them because it makes them feel close to their family and community.

Answer 2

You can even see things that we cannot explain or understand. Birds navigating to a specific place on another continent in winter. They are using communication that we don't understand. Sea fish returning to a specific river to spawn. Again inexplicable. Ants making plans, communicating and living socially.

With so much that we can see but not understand and so much we do understand now that we didn't before how can anyone ever believe that we know everything there is to know?

Bubba - Don't you mean most people are not thick enough? Faith based specifically on the absence of proof is stupid in the extreme. Keeping an open mind shows a lot more sense.

Answer 3

People want the truth, or what would work as the truth for them. There are people who have had genuine experiences with telekinesis or alien sightings or the like. If three or more people see something unidentifiable, are they all wrong if what they saw?
An example: I was camping with some friends in the Adirondacks two summers ago. On the last night we were to be there, we had a large campfire with all the friends we had made that week. I sat near the fire, relaxed and in the mood to raise some eyebrows. I connected with the fire element and began making our fire dance and sway to my direction. I would raise the fire or lower the fire as went my whim. I knew that my very small hand motions were being seen, and my grin was hard to conceal. I sent the fire toward my friend to the right and wwrapped him in the flame. he was not burned or harmed in any way. He knew my power, and realized what had happened. Another person there with raised eyebrows simply said: "You're doing that, aren't you?"
I nodded, made the fire move around toward him and dance for him. He began asking me to have the fire move up, move down, move left or right, etc. Now others were watching, the ghost story teller's voice a soft drone. All eyes were on me and my elemental friend. A dozen people saw something 'illogical' that night. Are they all disillusioned or insane? The conditions for me to practice my craft that night were ripe, so I practiced and awed my friends, gave them a story from their camping trip that they would never forget.

Answer 4

Life is dull. Believing in something beyond the realms of ordinary life adds excitement to life.

Answer 5

I think its because most people want the belief that theres more to life than their own little patch of humaity.

Answer 6

Because the logical often brings no comfort, and that's one of the most important things humans seek.

Answer 7

Because it is awfully arrogant and, quite frankly, stupid, to NOT believe in something greater than the human race. If we are as good as it gets, we're DOO-OO-OO-MMED!!

Answer 8

Because most people are not strong enough to believe by faith.

Answer 9

Because if "this" is all there is, what is the point?