Religion

Still, many people cling to them desperately, for lack of anything better, they think. For most people, even for a very large majority, science is arcane and hard to understand. Most people have only a very limited understanding of any of the sciences. So, the same simple, incorrect explanations of phenomena are easier for them to accept in some ways.

Some understand that literal truth is hard to find in religious sources. Others believe things happened exactly as described in various scriptures. No amount of discussion will change their minds, because they do not understand the discussion.

That's why People Magazine outsells Scientific American by a huge percentage. Still, though, you can find both publications in the airport newsstands. Me? I pick up the latest Scientific American when I take a flight. It's more relevant to me than People Magazine.