If a proposition associated with truth value . . . is not backed by reason, argument, and evidence, stating “I have the right to my opinion” does not contribute to any progress in a discussion, lead persons to the truth, or really say anything other than “this is what I believe” and perhaps, curiously more . . . If, after some debate and tackling the fundamental falsehoods of creationism, a creationist happens to say “I have a right to my own opinion,” this says nothing about the truth-value of creationism and perhaps admits that the creationist is not concerned with truth. A proposition about reality is either backed by evidence, reason, and argument and it should be believed . . . or it is not . . . When faced with contradictory evidence for one’s belief, the belief should be relinquished instead of claiming that one has “the right to an opinion.” We should care about holding justified true beliefs and take wondrous delight in challenging falsehoods when the situation calls for it.
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