Why do people believe in the invisible, is it out of fear or by a power of Authority Bias?

A girl thinks why do people believe in the invisible

“Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'”
John 20:29

Exploring the Existence of Invisible Entities

There are various invisible entities that exist in our world. These include air, time, subatomic particles, viruses, UFOs, ghosts, and God. While some of these entities can be proven to exist through scientific methods, such as inflating a balloon to demonstrate the existence of air, others cannot be definitively proven or disproven. Despite this uncertainty, many people continue to believe in their existence.

For instance, some believe in the existence of UFOs based on reported sightings and alleged encounters, while others believe in the existence of ghosts based on personal experiences or stories passed down through generations. Similarly, belief in God often stems from faith or religious teachings, rather than empirical evidence. The belief in invisible entities is often influenced by personal experiences, cultural or societal beliefs, and a willingness to accept the unknown.

Authority Bias encourages you to believe

People are often more likely to believe those with greater power or authority, whether that power comes from social status, wealth, or institutional position. This is known as the “Authority bias,” and it can influence our beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors in a variety of contexts.

For example, studies have found that people are more likely to follow the advice of a doctor, a police officer, or a CEO than the advice of someone without such a title or position of authority. Additionally, people may be more likely to believe claims made by government officials or news outlets with established reputations than claims made by alternative sources or unknown individuals.

This bias can be particularly strong in situations where individuals feel uncertain or lack knowledge about a particular issue. In such cases, people may look to authority figures to provide guidance and direction, even if that guidance is not based on sound evidence or reasoning.

Other biases and possible influences

Social influence: People are often influenced by the beliefs and opinions of their family, friends, and community. If the people around them believe in these things, there may arise social pressure to follow those beliefs. However, studies have also shown that the influence on the audience is lessened when families share similar beliefs and values, or when watching news with family or close friends.

Confirmation bias: It is the tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one’s pre-existing beliefs or hypotheses. People may be more likely to accept and remember news stories that align with their existing beliefs and values, and dismiss or forget those that challenge them. For example, people who strongly believe that climate change is true may be more likely to affirm news that shows evidence of the existence and effects of climate change, and less likely to accept and quickly forget news that casts doubt on climate change. Similarly, people who strongly support a political candidate may be more likely to accept and remember news that portrays that candidate in a positive light, and more likely to reject or forget news that is critical of that candidate.

Lack of understanding: People may believe in things they don’t fully understand because they lack the knowledge or expertise to evaluate the evidence for themselves.

Propaganda: Propaganda is a form of communication aimed at controlling people’s opinions or actions towards specific ideas, facts, or groups. It uses media, advertising, political campaigns, or news articles to shape people’s beliefs by repeatedly disseminating emotionally charged appeals or claims.

Ingroup bias: This refers to the bias that occurs when individuals prefer members of their own group over members of other groups. This bias can lead to discriminatory attitudes and behaviors, such as prejudice and discrimination. People have a natural tendency to form groups based on shared characteristics such as ethnicity, race, religion, nationality, etc., and while they may show favoritism towards members of their own group, they may exhibit bias and discrimination against members of other groups.

Navigating Invisible Entities with an Open Mind

It is important to approach them with an open-minded perspective free from prejudice, seeking a variety of viewpoints such as evidence, reasoning, and grounds before making a judgment. It is wise to form your own well-considered opinion based on a careful analysis of available evidence, grounds, and a variety of perspectives.