In my personal opinion, the main problem with publishing papers and obtaining grants for earthquake forecasting related work is not so much a matter of rejection or disbelief but rather a lack of interest.

At any given time there are many people who are suffering directly from illnesses such as cancer and AIDS and indirectly from them because loved ones have them. As a result there is a constant pressure on government officials etc. to get something done about those problems.

On the other hand, earthquakes occur. People talk about the need for effective forecasting programs. But then the dead are buried. The injured get medical attention. New buildings take the place of ones which were destroyed. And public interest in the development of forecasting programs quickly wanes. That constant pressure to get something done is never there long enough for anything to be accomplished.

No pressure, no progress.