Re:Ask HN: Would presenting less evidence for evolution conv...
by jacquesm on Tuesday October 20, 2009 @12:45PM
(#892700)
The problem here is not if people would change their minds after reading those books, the problem is that when someone is not 'open' to new ideas they'll treat books that might change their mind (and people, for that matter) like they're radioactive.
As to the vaccine thing, there is a correlation between religiousness and refusal of taking things like vaccines, but it is definitely not an exclusive relationship.
http://books.google.com/books?id=tyRWHQAACAAJ&dq=Sean+B+...
Perhaps one could compare changes in opinion after reading Dawkins's book with changes of opinion after reading Carroll's book. On my part, I think the change of opinion from believing young-earth creationism to believing the scientific fact of biological evolution takes assistance in dealing with opinions on religion as well as opinions on science.
After edit: I should note that I'm personally acquainted with people who have gone through the change of opinion being talked about in this thread. Such a change does happen, and it's legitimate to ask how it might happen more often, as having correct beliefs about biological evolution helps people have correct beliefs about other scientific issues (for example, safety and efficacy of vaccines).