Superstition

David Freddoso makes a good point: there has been much hilarity over the claim by an Iranian ayatollah that extramarital sex causes earthquakes. Here in the West, though, some give credence to an equally faith-based explanation: earthquakes are caused by global warming! Religious faith is a fine thing, but now, as always, there is no shortage of false prophets.
The ayatollah story, by the way, was the occasion for one of Glenn Reynolds’ funniest (and in my opinion, most apt) editorial comments ever.