Propaganda

Propaganda is powerful stuff. Lies, misdirection and distortions often last for centuries. Many still believe the Soviet version of the 1917 revolution, that Lenin and his supporters overthrew the wicked tsar when in fact they overthrew a provisional socialist government, the tsar had already gone. Never mind evidence to the contrary, take belief as fact. This is an idea seized upon by those with something to gain, all you need is to bang the drum with passion and the gullible will follow. After a while, the drum's awful beat becomes part of further illogical beliefs and it gets harder to make the voice of reason and moderation heard. Politicians love propaganda. Of course they prefer to call it spin but the result is the same.

For those who prefer to be rational, all that is required to demolish a belief is clear evidence to the contrary. So if someone claims the world is flat, a set of photographs from space should suffice to show the error of their argument. The trouble is, believers will find ways to blend their belief with the evidence, the photographs are a conspiracy, the camera makes distorted images etc. etc. Sadly, even if a flat earther can be dismissed as a crank, the same process goes on in all areas of life, some of these may even endanger life itself.

So am I banging the drum of belief, blind to evidence and reason? The naturist lifestyle is claimed by its proponents to lead to a better life, that naturism is good for people. Their evidence is that naturism of itself has no bad effects. That is not to say there are not bad naturists, there are, but if individuals commit crimes, that does not reflect on the lifestyle as a whole. Is there any evidence yet determined that shows the contrary case, that naturism is harmful? I have never found any, even after diligent searches.

So why is there a vociferous minority of do-gooders who will ring the police at the very sight of a nude person? The same reason as all the other illogical beliefs, they are a victim of propaganda. I think reason should prevail, not propaganda.