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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: 3, Insightful) by jimbrooking on Thursday November 09 2017, @10:42PM (2 children)
I didn't see anyone mention marketing. There's a lot of money to be made in convincing people that you have an "In" with an all-seeing, all-powerful deity and you need their "support" to a) get the word out about the deity an b) move them ahead in the line of supplicants wanting a special favor. And marketing, as we've seen, works to make gazillions from hopes, aspirations and beliefs, however outlandish. Religion is as much a product as professional sports and sit-coms and the biggest sellers are swimming in money.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 10 2017, @12:40AM (1 child)
You don't get rich writing science fiction. If you want to get rich, you start a religion. -- L. Ron Hubbard (scifi author, scientology founder)
(Score: 2) by fyngyrz on Sunday November 26 2017, @12:57PM
L. Ron Hubbard's problem was that he didn't write very good science fiction. It is, in fact, possible to get rich writing science fiction (and/or fantasy.) You just have to be really good at it. Agents that can get you movie deals don't hurt either.
Hubbard was, however, great at scamming. Hence Scientology.