I apologize if this is in the wrong forum, but I hope it won't be deleted.
In my work, I study the mentality and behavior of alleged believers of "alternative theories." There are basically two types. A very small minority actually believe what they say, but most don't and have at least one ulterior motive to keep professing their claims. Usually, it's easy to understand; fame, money, perceived "respect", etc., but for some others, it is truly mysterious. It can (and usually does) bring them great difficulty, shame, financial ruin and even criminal conviction (see Hampden v. Wallace, US v. William Nelson). Another group that fits this profile to a tee is the "alternative health" crowd where profit is certainly the major attraction.
I find it fascinating to examine the mental processes of both sets. If they actually believe, what causes it? Neurological or psychological pathology could be one explanation. Although it may be mild enough for others to miss, some just cannot hide it. Schizophrenic-like speech is prevalent, and makes communication almost impossible. I've met patients that would fit in perfectly here, but it would likely undermine any treatment.
Another possibility is basic emotional need. Real science can be quite frightening to some, especially those who cannot understand (or agree with) the fundamentals of scientific study. To think that the Universe was made especially for us by some magical super-being can be very comforting. An intelligent beginning to our world suggests that we are all in good hands and ultimately have nothing to worry about. Science on the other hand simply shows reality for what it is; good, bad, dangerous or not, and leaves our fate purely up to us. Some people NEED to believe that despite all that they know, there is a hidden, magic safety net that will protect them from the scary facts of life.
I contend that in our heart of hearts, any believer not suffering from a specific condition, is in fact lying to themselves, whether they realize it or not. I've found this to be so common that we ALL do it occasionally, just not to such an extreme. Never underestimate a person's ability to convince themselves of something that makes life happier. "It's not my terrible diet and lack of exercise that makes me fat, it's genetic." Trying to debate facts with a person such as this always fails because it avoids the actual issue, which is that the believer believes rather than understands. Belief is a personal choice that comes from inside. Understanding comes from the reality without and is the consequential and inevitable result of a cascade of universally knowable facts. I'm betting that like similar sites, Occam's Razor is not used much or tolerated well here at all.
This thread is NOT about details of FE theory or any other. It's about the style of DEBATE and MENTAL STATE of believer (real or not). Still, I'll bet a dollar that this thread gets hijacked like all the others, and the mods will do nothing. Any takers?