People tend to be more open to the idea of atheism if they know that it’s even an option. Have you noticed how, now that Dawkins and Harris and friends are arguing publicly for atheism, it’s become a more socially acceptable position? It’s not so much “somebody would have noticed” as “it’s unthinkable among everyone that I know”.
This applies to other things. There was an event around here last year where some of the more liberal religious leaders talked about evolution, and how it was possible to be religious and believe that evolution happened. The most common reaction from the people there—and it was a common reaction—was surprise that they were allowed to accept evolution.
If people are in an insular religious social group, they’re probably going to have a hard time even considering contrary views. I’m not sure that’s an example of the “someone would have noticed” heuristic, but it’s an important phenomenon.
People tend to be more open to the idea of atheism if they know that it’s even an option. Have you noticed how, now that Dawkins and Harris and friends are arguing publicly for atheism, it’s become a more socially acceptable position? It’s not so much “somebody would have noticed” as “it’s unthinkable among everyone that I know”.
This applies to other things. There was an event around here last year where some of the more liberal religious leaders talked about evolution, and how it was possible to be religious and believe that evolution happened. The most common reaction from the people there—and it was a common reaction—was surprise that they were allowed to accept evolution.
If people are in an insular religious social group, they’re probably going to have a hard time even considering contrary views. I’m not sure that’s an example of the “someone would have noticed” heuristic, but it’s an important phenomenon.