Appeal to the Crowd

This fallacy says something is true because many people believe it. "Everyone knows that." "Most scholars agree." "Billions of people can't be wrong."

The Law of Moses warned against it: "You shall not follow the crowd in wrongdoing." Exodus 23:2 Jesus said the broad way has many on it, and of the narrow way, "only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14

Elijah Alone

On Mount Carmel, Elijah said, "I am the only remaining prophet of the LORD, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets." 1 Kings 18:22 The vote was four hundred and fifty to one. The fire from heaven did not count votes.

Christians Do It Too

Numbers do not settle truth either way. "Most of the world believes in God" does not prove God exists, any more than a crowd of skeptics proves He does not. Our hope rests on what God has done, not on how many people agree.

Listening to People Who Know

This does not mean we ignore people who have studied a subject. Listening to them is wise. The question is their reasons. A scholar's argument is worth weighing. A headcount of scholars is a different thing.