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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, @11:06PM
There are different levels and kind of claims:
1. God(s) exists and has properties X, Y, and Z
2. God(s) exists
3. God(s) doesn't exist
4. Unknown
#1 is a much stronger claim than the others and the one most common. #2 and #3 still both require evidence and so far don't have it . I don't think #2 is a huge leap because we humans may someday create universes, rear or virtual, and thus be God(s) from the perspective of the inhabitants of such universes. It probably doesn't require new physics, just better control of matter/nature than we have now. But the default is #4, "unknown", and we don't have enough evidence to shift that. It's still the standing status.