From a conversation at lunch today… Why is it that when someone says they believe in god, you think “fair enough, that’s what you believe, I respect that”; but when someone says they believe in demons, you think “you’re a raving lunatic”?

Of course, not everyone is as critical of the latter, and certainly many of us are less forgiving of the former. (No one involved in the discussion believed in either.) But it’s interesting – there does seem to be some kind of line between tolerable and weirdy-ass beliefs. I guess that’s part of what Dawkins et al have been saying all along – there shouldn’t be a line short of which we tolerate irrational stuff like that.

This was partially inspired by the announcement that the Vatican is training more exorcists to crack down on demonic possessions. I have to admit, I’m in awe of the sheer momentum of a delusion where an institution with members in the billions supports its uppermost leaders discussing, issuing press releases about, and giving its clergy lessons in the best methods to deal with shit that does not exist.