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Comment by point78 | Hacker News Reader

You have to consider a majority of deniers either believe it's a "phase" the earth goes through, it's a scam by the liberals or God will fix it.

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On the streets this may be so, but I'm convinced many rich high-profile deniers are simply liars. They're making hay while the sun shines (manageably). They'll have read their Tainter et al, and know the wealthy are likely to be able to buy themselves a plum spot from which to view the collapse. All those super-wealthy Americans weren't (pre-Ardern) snaffling up chunks of New Zealand just because it's pretty.

I don't know if all Abrahamic religions believe this, but in Islam at least we believe that as we near the end of the world natural disasters will increase greatly, so it seems that the end of humanity and eventually this reality entirely is how God will fix this.

Unless I am misunderstanding something, I would argue that belief is incredibly harmful if it is not true, as it will lead people to avoid trying to solve problems that they may actually be able to solve.

As a former Mormon, this is exactly correct and scary for that reason. I am ashamed that I used to think this way.

I disagree, death for example is inevitable but nonetheless we are commanded to protect life. The inevitable does not exempt a person from doing their best, everyone will be held to account for their actions.

I'm simply saying that if someone believed a disastrous situation was directly caused by a deity, it seems that would be a strong disincentive to actually trying to fix the situation themselves. Why on Earth would anyone work directly against the actions of God, or try to take responsibility for something that God is clearly in charge of?

I have seen people use similar logic before, even specifically for climate change.

>I'm simply saying that if someone believed a disastrous situation was directly caused by a deity

satan himself was a creation of God, that doesn't mean we just lie down and indulge all manner of sin.

>Why on Earth would anyone work directly against the actions of God, or try to take responsibility for something that God is clearly in charge of?

All things that occur, do so by the will of God (i.e: occasionalism).

>I have seen people use similar logic before, even specifically for climate change.

I'd assume their theology has shaky foundations.

Ah ok, I see where you are coming from. Thank you for clarifying that.

No worries, thanks for giving me the chance to explore this.

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