sophistry
def. subtly deceptive reasoning or argumentation
sensationalism
def. 1: empiricism that limits experience as a source of knowledge to sensation or sense perceptions, 2: the use or effect of sensational subject matter or treatment
superstition
def. 1a : a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation, b : an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition, 2: a notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary