[Ichneumon]

I doubt I'd have any problem at all doing it. Of course, I never would do such a thing, but there are those who would.

I've toyed with the idea of making a fortune by writing creationist/ID claptrap and selling it. And I'm not sure if it's really a sin to lie to people who very much *want* to be lied to.

Then, after I've pocketed great gobs o' money from the public, I could publicly announce that I just made it all up. Maybe that would get through some of the thick skulls. But more likely, I'd just get depressed =when it turned out that they'd continue believing the nonsense and would just take my exposure of the hoax as my having been possessed by evil or whatever.

[MineralMan]

"I've toyed with the idea of making a fortune by writing creationist/ID claptrap and selling it."

Well, that wouldn't be such a bad idea. We might see some different words in these threads. It's getting really boring seeing the same copy and paste content in thread after thread.

But, never mind. You'd grow bored and unhappy doing it. Far better to continue along your current path and be poor, but honest.

[Thatcherite]

Then, after I've pocketed great gobs o' money from the public, I could publicly announce that I just made it all up. Maybe that would get through some of the thick skulls. But more likely, I'd just get depressed =when it turned out that they'd continue believing the nonsense and would just take my exposure of the hoax as my having been possessed by evil or whatever.

There is no limit to people's desire to believe in fairies. Incredibly, people are more likely to believe in the paranormal *after* they've been spoofed by James Randi, and then he's outed himself, than they were before he spoofed them. Deeply depressing.

[shuckmaster]

when it turned out that they'd continue believing the nonsense and would just take my exposure of the hoax as my having been possessed by evil or whatever.

Then you would have a big wad of money and subject matter for another book you can promote on Art Bell's old show.

[Junior]

But more likely, I'd just get depressed =when it turned out that they'd continue believing the nonsense and would just take my exposure of the hoax as my having been possessed by evil or whatever.

They'd probably think the "materialistic naturalistic conspiracy" had gotten to you in some way.

[Doctor Stochastic]

The "refutation" would just be another book to sell. You could have two best sellers saying opposite things.