o, until there was agreement otherwise, the sun DID move around the earth? And the Pharohs were gods? and the world was made of air, fire, water, and earth?

NOW I understand you, Amos...


BeardedBruce:

No, you do not.

None of the verbal beliefs you cite were real to anyone, as far as I know. There may have been some few who saw those things, but obviously there was an overwhelming proportion of those who saw things otherwise! It is a simple enough affair to get people to give lip service to almost anything which will forward their self interest. Reality as it is perceived is a different thing altogether.

It is wise to remember the false views you mention, and quite a few others, because they might provide some essential humility about your own certainties and the degree to which they are or are not absolutes.

A