Cognitive Dissonance

Cognitive Dissonance is the psychological pain caused by conflicting beliefs. It is an essential tool for our brain's survival because it helps us correct beliefs that are out of step with reality by giving us anxiety until we change the belief.

The introduction of science has caused a steady rise in cognitive dissonance for those that believe in religious literalism. The more we know about the universe the more evidence we find that the literal interpretation is impossible to reconcile.

Cognitive dissonance is why all misinformation, superstition and other malarkey will always be temporary. Granted there's always new bullshit to take its place but the march of progress is always towards greater truth.