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Indonesian space institute under siege by flat Earth believers
Jakarta Times ^ | 10/18/2017

Posted on 10/19/2017 2:21:58 PM PDT by BenLurkin

As the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) is striving to achieve its goals to advance the country's technology and aeronautical field, it is facing an anachronistic problem that has been emerging recently: Flat Earth believers.

The group, which became a social media phenomenon last year, believes the Earth is flat instead of round. They often cite modern conspiracy theories, as well as literal, non-mainstream readings of the holy scriptures, as the basis of their statements.

...

First expressed during the time of the Ancient Greeks, the flat-earth misconception has often reared its head over the centuries. The latest reappearance occurred last year when many people posted videos on YouTube, in which they claimed that the concept of a round Earth was part of a global conspiracy theory.

In Indonesia, the misconception has found its supporters, with a Facebook group named Indonesian Flat Earth Society having attracted more than 20,500 members, as of Tuesday.

However, media sociologist Ario Seto Hardjana from the University of Indonesia (UI) told the Post that it was an oversimplification to blame social media for the appearance of flat-earthers in Indonesia.

"This phenomenon could be the tip of the iceberg. There are several members of society who have yet to believe in science because of the inability of education institutions to teach the general public to be more rational."

(Excerpt) Read more at straitstimes.com ...


TOPICS: Conspiracy
KEYWORDS: battlestarmoronica; flatearthliars; flatearthmorons; mentalillness
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To: KarlInOhio
"...the flat-earth misconception..."

Misconception?

Well, isn't it?

21 posted on 10/19/2017 2:54:33 PM PDT by Windflier (Pitchforks and torches ripen on the vine. Left too long, they become black rifles.)
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To: Seruzawa
Yes they really believe this. They mostly are 9-11 truthers and chemtrails believers too.

We've got at least one flat earther right here on Free Republic. I spent hours arguing with him some months ago.

22 posted on 10/19/2017 3:10:04 PM PDT by Windflier (Pitchforks and torches ripen on the vine. Left too long, they become black rifles.)
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To: BenLurkin
The Earth used to be round, but all the SUVs driving around flattened it.

I feel so guilty.

23 posted on 10/19/2017 3:11:23 PM PDT by who_would_fardels_bear
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To: sparklite2

Are you Zaphod Beeblebrox?


24 posted on 10/19/2017 3:12:26 PM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: Windflier

Some people believe in a Flat Earth.

I prefer Flat Dark Earth ...

;’}


25 posted on 10/19/2017 3:16:34 PM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: BenLurkin

How do they explain being able to walk in the same direction and ultimately ending up where you started from? That doesn’t happen on a planar surface.


26 posted on 10/19/2017 3:20:10 PM PDT by IronJack
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To: Responsibility2nd

As 1 person who loves cats pointed out to a Flat Earthen recently, if the Earth was really flat then 1 cat would be the destruction of all civilization. The cat would knock off everything into outer space.


27 posted on 10/19/2017 3:56:26 PM PDT by prophetic (Trump is today's DANIEL. Shut the mouth of lions Lord, let his enemies be made the Cat Food instead.)
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To: Windflier

It’s a futile exercise. I bet he ended up saying you were a knowing member of the conspiracy.


28 posted on 10/19/2017 4:31:19 PM PDT by Seruzawa (TANSTAAFL!)
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To: NorthMountain

Good one!


29 posted on 10/19/2017 4:31:23 PM PDT by Windflier (Pitchforks and torches ripen on the vine. Left too long, they become black rifles.)
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To: Lera
Eratosthenes not only knew that the earth was a sphere, but calculated its circumference fairly accurately.
30 posted on 10/19/2017 5:25:56 PM PDT by JoeFromSidney
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To: Seruzawa
It’s a futile exercise.

Tell me about it. It's like talking to a stuck record

31 posted on 10/19/2017 5:26:26 PM PDT by Windflier (Pitchforks and torches ripen on the vine. Left too long, they become black rifles.)
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To: beergarden

And moon-landing deniers and Sandy Hook hoaxers.


32 posted on 10/19/2017 5:35:12 PM PDT by Reynoldo
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To: sparklite2

If the Earth was round, all the water would slide off—duh!


33 posted on 10/19/2017 7:22:34 PM PDT by tumblindice (America's founding fathers: all armed conservatives)
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To: JoeFromSidney

Isaiah lived 500 years before him


34 posted on 10/20/2017 4:19:21 PM PDT by Lera (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)
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