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And, of course, there are many superstitions that have nothing to do with the dominant religion of the Western world. All sorts of peculiar beliefs arise about the Bermuda Triangle, about transmigration of souls, and all of them instantly attract the enthusiastic beliefs of millions.
當然，有許多迷信和西方世界的主流宗教并沒有關(guān)系。各種怪異的信仰都關(guān)于百慕大三角，關(guān)于靈魂的輪回。這些都可以瞬間吸引數(shù)百萬人狂熱追捧。
Well, then, what do I expect of the next century? Assuming that we avoid destruction from the dogged adherence of humanity to superstition and its rejection of rationality, will we at least make a little progress in our cause?
那么，我對下一個世紀懷有什么期待呢？假如我們能幸免于因為人類頑固堅持相信迷信、 拒絕理智而帶來的毀滅的話，我們的思想會不會至少有一點進步呢？
I'm sorry. I don't think so. In addressing the humanists of 2089 (and I am sure there will be humanists in the world in 2089，if there should indeed be a world of 2089), I would have to say this.
很抱歉，我認為不會。和2089年的人道主義者對話時（我相信，如果到2089年這個世界 還存在著的話，人道主義者便會存在)，我會這么說。
Despite all the further advance of technology, despite the fact that we have computerized the world, despite the fact that robots are doing the menial work of humanity and that human beings are freed to work creatively at human tasks, despite the fact that we have expanded to the moon and beyond and are rapidly penetrating the solar system generally, and despite the fact that we understand the universe far better than we used to a century ago, the vast majority of human beings still take solace and comfort in their various superstitions and still follow any pied piper who fills their ears with notes of nonsense while filling his or her own pockets with money. And we are still in the minority and still struggling to convince people that, if, indeed, there were a god, he would in the end reject anyone who failed to make use of that one truly godlike gift.
盡管科技在不斷進步，盡管我們已經(jīng)能用電腦操縱這個世界，盡管機器人已經(jīng)在做人類的枯燥工作，人類被解放出來去從事創(chuàng)造性的工作，盡管我們已經(jīng)擴張到月球以及更遠的地方，而且很快便會廣泛地滲透到太陽系，盡管我們已經(jīng)比一個世紀以前更好地認識宇宙，但是絕大多數(shù)人還是會從各種迷信中尋求安慰和慰藉，他們?nèi)匀蛔冯S所有發(fā)表各種謬論、卻往自己口袋里塞滿鈔票的空話家。我們?nèi)匀恢挥猩贁?shù)人在奮力勸說著人們，告訴人們?nèi)绻娴拇嬖谏系鄣脑挘系圩罱K會拒絕沒有好好利用那個真正神圣的禮物（理性）的任何人。
