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from the "number-of-the-beast"-is-natural,-whole,-rational,-real,-AND-imaginary dept.
Religious beliefs are not linked to intuition or rational thinking, according to new research by the universities of Coventry and Oxford. Previous studies have suggested people who hold strong religious beliefs are more intuitive and less analytical, and when they think more analytically their religious beliefs decrease.
But new research, by academics from Coventry University's Centre for Advances in Behavioural Science and neuroscientists and philosophers at Oxford University, suggests that is not the case, and that people are not 'born believers'. The study -- which included tests on pilgrims taking part in the famous Camino de Santiago and a brain stimulation experiment -- found no link between intuitive/analytical thinking, or cognitive inhibition (an ability to suppress unwanted thoughts and actions), and supernatural beliefs.
Instead, the academics conclude that other factors, such as upbringing and socio-cultural processes, are more likely to play a greater role in religious beliefs.
[Abstract]: Supernatural Belief Is Not Modulated by Intuitive Thinking Style or Cognitive Inhibition
Would you agree with this conclusion or do you believe that there is something else that influences people's religious beliefs ?
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 09 2017, @08:01PM (1 child)
I think there are various reasons why someone would believe:
1) As part of education. Religion provides a set of generally accepted rules that describe how one should live properly and provides guidance when problems arise.
2) For (philosophical) scientists it is the answer to the end question. We will most likely never be able to have all the answers in the universe, religion provides nice place holders for these gaps.
3) People are social animals, it gives a way in to belong to a group and an ear to listen to when an individual is alone (God will listen).
4) Psychological, it give the mind a place of peace and solitude when the environment is very stressful to an individual.
I think there are more reasons, but these are some that I would come up with (or apply even to me).
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 09 2017, @10:26PM
None of those are particularly valid though, they work on people that aren't fully rational.
1. Secular ethics is a thing and while there's a certain amount of disagreement about where the exact lines are, they provide more than enough guidance for typical social interactions and choices.
2. We won't ever hit the limit, at least not in any sort of reasonable time frame, so, wallpapering over it with delusion makes very little sense. I can live my life perfectly well knowing that there's more to know.
3. How is that any different from somebody with schizophrenia talking to the voices in their head? That hardly seems like something to be desired.
4. It gives peace of mind, but that's hardly a reason to keep religion around. There are plenty of scientifically verified ways of gaining peace of mind and place that don't require delusions.
TL:DR; people are going to invent reasons why religion is a good thing, but at the end of the day, religion causes far more harm than it resolves and there's a huge conflict of interest as actually providing people with something that did give them peace and security in a reasonable time period would just mean that the donations would stop rolling in.