What’s the most batshit belief you’ve ever known someone to hold

[Ifyouwannabe1]

just met up with a long time friend (lovely, but utterly away with the fairies) who honestly believes the earth is flat as well as a whole host of other similarly crazy things. It got me thinking what’s the most batshit thing you’ve ever known anyone to think?

I'm sorry, I don't agree. Scolding your opponent's view - sincerely held by many (I'd agree wrongly) - as 'batshit' is confrontational. it toxifies and polarises a debate that is already really fraught.

Yes we know you don't agree. But this thread is specifically about views people find "batshit". It literally uses the word in the title. It's not a thread to admire other people's beliefs but to give examples of odd, incoherent or irrational ones.

So people have used the word batshit to talk about beliefs they personally find batshit, because it's literally the theme of the thread and the word was used by at least 50% of posters in their posts.

Just because you think it is sincerely held and must therefore be venerated because it's a "fraught debate", we don't have to agree. So are religious beliefs, which have also been mentioned. Perhaps you could lecture those people too, and I imagine they'll take your diatribes equally as seriously as we have.

I'm not disagreeing with you about this, but I'd like to say that my husband takes a medication that inhibits testosterone, as a treatment for prostate cancer. He has definitely lost strength and muscle tone. No longer do I go to him to ask him to open jars!
I think it's time for some Trans games to run alongside our normal Olympics.

@Chooksnroses sorry that your husband is going through prostrate cancer, however that's what's weakened him - cancer. Male athletes identifying as women aren't suffering from cancer along with lowering testosterone, as far as I know.

*prostate

Yes, I pointed out to @thedancingbear that the OP asks for “batshit views”. So anyone who posts here is giving their “batshit view”.

There’s no “correct” answer. You can’t disagree with someone for what they find “batshit” - it’s their opinion. You could argue with me until the cows come home that my opinion, on being asked about my favourite alcohol and saying that I love wine, is “wrong” 😑 but you’re not going to get me to change my opinion. And if everyone else says their favourite alcohol is wine, too, this is not “polarisation” but a fact.

I have a Facebook friend who seems to have lost it in the last few years, and is always posting about this, using that exact language. She’s been brainwashed. It’s very sad because she is actually a really lovely person, but I think she’s lost a lot of friends over it.

Do you understand why someone who genuinely felt they had transitioned (however incorrectly) would find that being described as 'the most batshit belief you’ve ever known' wilfully offensive?

I've not asked anyone to change their opinion, and I don't think we need to 'be kind' to people we disagree with. But a bit of civility would be nice.

A very recent one on here where someone wanted to get their gas supply turned off as the standing charge was £4000 a year.

Actually, it would be more than nice. I think we owe each other civility and tolerance. Don't you?

My grandmother was born in 1894 and she had 16 children. There were a lot of weird beliefs in her time. She believed that the unborn baby sort of floated around among your innards and any pain you had was the baby grabbing on to your bits.
Her doctor told her that her baby was born with Cerebral Palsy because she grieved so much for her six year old who had died of measles when she was 16 weeks pregnant.
An Aunt believed that her baby didn't like to feed from her left breast because "That side's salty and the other side's sweet"
Another one was that you shouldn't reach up high when pregnant as you would stretch the umbilical cord and strangle the baby with it.

So you are fine with all of the other things being called “batshit”, but upset when it’s your belief that gets included?

Why? Why are the others fair game but this one off-limits?

That virginity is important.

That Brexit and Boris Johnson are good ideas.

I'm glad I've never been.

It would have broken my fragile heart.

I'd (amusingly as I thought) typed "Octember"

That bastard autocorrect autocorrected me . . . 😂

This.

In many, many spades

(i) It's not my belief, as i've explained variously.

(ii) I've not said I'm fine with the other things (eg. the religion bashing is uncool, as others have said)
(iii) your post is whataboutery
(iv) the conversation on MN about trans people - and its context, and the effect it has - is very different from that about lizard people or Centre Parks. But you know this.

Do you understand why someone who genuinely felt they had transitioned (however incorrectly) would find that being described as 'the most batshit belief you’ve ever known' wilfully offensive?

But people on this thread have mentioned religious beliefs too, which are also deeply held and meaningful for those who hold them. even a belief in astrology, manifesting or a flat earth could be deeply held and having it called batshit could be upsetting. If you’re sensitive about your unscientific beliefs it’s maybe not the thread to click on. So why do people only tick people off and tell them to stop talking about gender ideology?

I do see religious views as non-evidence-based, but as a PP said the difference is that the reality of things like why we exist and what happens after death can’t really be tested or proved, so you can’t know or show a religious worldview to be wrong. The other important thing is that at least in the UK, religious beliefs aren’t being adopted by general institutions, workplaces and governments, imposed on people to their detriment, and being forced on people who risk losing their jobs or being ostracised if they question or refuse to parrot them. That situation of course means this particular unevidenced belief is at the forefront of the mind for many of us, especially if we’re feminist, gay or parents, and that will cover a majority of MNers.

I wouldn’t mind the objections so much if they came with a clear rational and logical explanation of why GI is not batshit. Other discussions on the thread regarding other topics have done exactly that. But with gender ideology it’s just “you can’t talk about that but we won’t make a clear case as to why”. That in itself is even more batshit and invited more criticism - surely you can see that?

So you are fine with all of the other things being called “batshit”, but upset when it’s your belief that gets included?

As I pointed out earlier, people don't like to recognise that many people think their beliefs are odd and irrational.

I'd like to say that my husband takes a medication that inhibits testosterone, as a treatment for prostate cancer

Yes, that's the same kind of medicine some people say is fine to give to physically healthy adolescent children who are confused about their "gender". I hope your husband is ok

I'm glad I've never been.

It would have broken my fragile heart.

I know, right!

@thedancingbear

The OP didn’t qualify his/her question. The OP didn’t say - remember to be kind when you reply. The OP didn’t ask anyone to consider who may be “offended” by anyone’s answer. The OP asked a really simple question. Several posters gave a very simple answer: that people can change sex.

You’re really clutching at straws now, @thedancingbear .

I'm laughing at the sweet and salted boobs- just like popcorn 🍿

The stretching thing seems to either be an old wives tale or something that was genuinely believed by the medical profession. But it was a widely held belief.

Could it be that it’s a little bit too close to home to point out the religious, manifestly “magical thinking” basis of the whole ideology?

Perfectly put.

So what, quite frankly?