(noun)
The practice or act of intentional and blatant avoidance, disregard or disagreement with facts,
empirical evidence and well-founded arguements because they oppose or contradict your own existing personal beliefs.
This practice is most commonly found in the political or religious ideologies of "
conservative" Americans.
Many times it is practiced due to laziness--people not wanting to have to
do the work to rethink their opinions, the fear of the unknown, the fear of being wrong, or sometimes simply close-mindedness.
alt. form: willfully ignorant