Science finds cure for Religion
Discussion
For hundreds of years Religion has undermined and often tried to ban Science. With poetic justice like that it almost makes me believe there is a higher being with a cracking sense of humour.
Should save us a fortune in defence spending
A new University of British Columbia study finds that analytic thinking can decrease religious belief, even in devout believers.
The study, published today in the journal Science, finds that thinking analytically increases disbelief among believers and skeptics alike, shedding important new light on the psychology of religious belief.
"Our goal was to explore the fundamental question of why people believe in a God to different degrees," says lead author Will Gervais, a PhD student in UBC's Dept. of Psychology. "A combination of complex factors influence matters of personal spirituality, and these new findings suggest that the cognitive system related to analytic thoughts is one factor that can influence disbelief."
Researchers used problem-solving tasks and subtle experimental priming - including showing participants Rodin's sculpture The Thinker or asking participants to complete questionnaires in hard-to-read fonts - to successfully produce "analytic" thinking. The researchers, who assessed participants' belief levels using a variety of self-reported measures, found that religious belief decreased when participants engaged in analytic tasks, compared to participants who engaged in tasks that did not involve analytic thinking.
The findings, Gervais says, are based on a longstanding human psychology model of two distinct, but related cognitive systems to process information: an "intuitive" system that relies on mental shortcuts to yield fast and efficient responses, and a more "analytic" system that yields more deliberate, reasoned responses.
"Our study builds on previous research that links religious beliefs to 'intuitive' thinking," says study co-author and Associate Prof. Ara Norenzayan, UBC Dept. of Psychology. "Our findings suggest that activating the 'analytic' cognitive system in the brain can undermine the 'intuitive' support for religious belief, at least temporarily."
The study involved more than 650 participants in the U.S. and Canada. Gervais says future studies will explore whether the increase in religious disbelief is temporary or long-lasting, and how the findings apply to non-Western cultures.
Recent figures suggest that the majority of the world's population believes in a God, however atheists and agnostics number in the hundreds of millions, says Norenzayan, a co-director of UBC's Centre for Human Evolution, Cognition and Culture. Religious convictions are shaped by psychological and cultural factors and fluctuate across time and situations, he says.
Should save us a fortune in defence spending
A new University of British Columbia study finds that analytic thinking can decrease religious belief, even in devout believers.
The study, published today in the journal Science, finds that thinking analytically increases disbelief among believers and skeptics alike, shedding important new light on the psychology of religious belief.
"Our goal was to explore the fundamental question of why people believe in a God to different degrees," says lead author Will Gervais, a PhD student in UBC's Dept. of Psychology. "A combination of complex factors influence matters of personal spirituality, and these new findings suggest that the cognitive system related to analytic thoughts is one factor that can influence disbelief."
Researchers used problem-solving tasks and subtle experimental priming - including showing participants Rodin's sculpture The Thinker or asking participants to complete questionnaires in hard-to-read fonts - to successfully produce "analytic" thinking. The researchers, who assessed participants' belief levels using a variety of self-reported measures, found that religious belief decreased when participants engaged in analytic tasks, compared to participants who engaged in tasks that did not involve analytic thinking.
The findings, Gervais says, are based on a longstanding human psychology model of two distinct, but related cognitive systems to process information: an "intuitive" system that relies on mental shortcuts to yield fast and efficient responses, and a more "analytic" system that yields more deliberate, reasoned responses.
"Our study builds on previous research that links religious beliefs to 'intuitive' thinking," says study co-author and Associate Prof. Ara Norenzayan, UBC Dept. of Psychology. "Our findings suggest that activating the 'analytic' cognitive system in the brain can undermine the 'intuitive' support for religious belief, at least temporarily."
The study involved more than 650 participants in the U.S. and Canada. Gervais says future studies will explore whether the increase in religious disbelief is temporary or long-lasting, and how the findings apply to non-Western cultures.
Recent figures suggest that the majority of the world's population believes in a God, however atheists and agnostics number in the hundreds of millions, says Norenzayan, a co-director of UBC's Centre for Human Evolution, Cognition and Culture. Religious convictions are shaped by psychological and cultural factors and fluctuate across time and situations, he says.
Bedazzled said:
What a load of rubbish.
Feel free to deconstruct the argument then. You are arguing that analytical thinking does not diminish religiosity? The science societies, and NAS stats would disagree with you.http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/sci_relig.htm
http://kspark.kaist.ac.kr/Jesus/Intelligence%20&am...
Feel free to compare to the general public figures.
Simpo Two said:
Of course religion falls apart when you try to analyse it. There are no facts to justify it!
Religion entirely relies on it not being analysed."You must have faith."
"How can we question the almighty creator?"
"God works in ways we cannot possibly begin to fathom."
"How can you prove there is no god?" - Ah, the old 'proving a negative' excuse... No, you prove to me there is a god...
Funk said:
Simpo Two said:
Of course religion falls apart when you try to analyse it. There are no facts to justify it!
Religion entirely relies on it not being analysed."You must have faith."
"How can we question the almighty creator?"
"God works in ways we cannot possibly begin to fathom."
"How can you prove there is no god?" - Ah, the old 'proving a negative' excuse... No, you prove to me there is a god...
Its a bit of a stupid venture in my opinion.
I'm playing devil's advocate here because I'm atheist, but there are loads of things in our lives that don't make perfect analytical sense, but that bring comfort, joy and whatever else to people. The act of love for starters.
Some people need religion. You will never get rid of it completely because then they'll just turn to the next source of guidance/support/comfort/distraction from above (celebrity/commercialism culture maybe... )
The most surprising thing though is that some people's hate of religion is more vehement than the passion of those who follow religion. Its mad.
I'm playing devil's advocate here because I'm atheist, but there are loads of things in our lives that don't make perfect analytical sense, but that bring comfort, joy and whatever else to people. The act of love for starters.
Some people need religion. You will never get rid of it completely because then they'll just turn to the next source of guidance/support/comfort/distraction from above (celebrity/commercialism culture maybe... )
The most surprising thing though is that some people's hate of religion is more vehement than the passion of those who follow religion. Its mad.
Edited by Shay HTFC on Tuesday 8th May 14:44
Shay HTFC said:
Its a bit of a stupid venture in my opinion.
I'm playing devil's advocate here because I'm atheist, but there are loads of things in our lives that don't make perfect analytical sense, but that bring comfort, joy and whatever else to people. The act of love for starters.
Some people need religion. You will never get rid of it completely because then they'll just turn to the next source of guidance/support/comfort/distraction from above (celebrity/commercialism culture maybe... )
The most surprising thing though is that some people's hate of religion is more vehement than the passion of those who follow religion. Its mad.
I agree with you, but in cold logic, Mankind needs to look at whether religion is +ve or -ve for us. Individually it seems to be a benefit for many, but the problem is religion + group = stupidity.I'm playing devil's advocate here because I'm atheist, but there are loads of things in our lives that don't make perfect analytical sense, but that bring comfort, joy and whatever else to people. The act of love for starters.
Some people need religion. You will never get rid of it completely because then they'll just turn to the next source of guidance/support/comfort/distraction from above (celebrity/commercialism culture maybe... )
The most surprising thing though is that some people's hate of religion is more vehement than the passion of those who follow religion. Its mad.
Edited by Shay HTFC on Tuesday 8th May 14:44
Shay HTFC said:
The most surprising thing though is that some people's hate of religion is more vehement than the passion of those who follow religion. Its mad.
Probably because religion has been the basis of most of the worst atrocities known to mankind. I think that's pretty deserving of a hatred.Shay HTFC said:
Its a bit of a stupid venture in my opinion.
I'm playing devil's advocate here because I'm atheist, but there are loads of things in our lives that don't make perfect analytical sense, but that bring comfort, joy and whatever else to people. The act of love for starters.
Sure. But it takes a monumental leap of (feigned) logic to then conclude there is a God.I'm playing devil's advocate here because I'm atheist, but there are loads of things in our lives that don't make perfect analytical sense, but that bring comfort, joy and whatever else to people. The act of love for starters.
shakotan said:
Shay HTFC said:
The most surprising thing though is that some people's hate of religion is more vehement than the passion of those who follow religion. Its mad.
Probably because religion has been the basis of most of the worst atrocities known to mankind. I think that's pretty deserving of a hatred.I don't see other organised con artists being invited to state occasions, and Number 10, in order to have their thoughts heard.
Shay HTFC said:
The most surprising thing though is that some people's hate of religion is more vehement than the passion of those who follow religion. Its mad.
Really? You think atheist folks are more vehement than the religious? The mind boggles. Edited by Shay HTFC on Tuesday 8th May 14:44
No supprise there then. However my wife now doesnt believe in god, due to a personal situation as as she put it 'If there were a god, then he would not let anyone feel this pain' and my wifes logic is pretty much non existant lol
I do think if you are an engineer (any sort) then the chances are you will be atheist as we apply logic to our everyday workings and PH do have alot of engineering minds!
I do think if you are an engineer (any sort) then the chances are you will be atheist as we apply logic to our everyday workings and PH do have alot of engineering minds!
shakotan said:
Shay HTFC said:
The most surprising thing though is that some people's hate of religion is more vehement than the passion of those who follow religion. Its mad.
Probably because religion has been the basis of most of the worst atrocities known to mankind. I think that's pretty deserving of a hatred.Religion has just been a convenient way of splitting people into "us and them". War is about gaining power, not religion.
If there was no religion, people would find another way of ratifying their actions. (all in my opinion)
Shay HTFC said:
shakotan said:
Shay HTFC said:
The most surprising thing though is that some people's hate of religion is more vehement than the passion of those who follow religion. Its mad.
Probably because religion has been the basis of most of the worst atrocities known to mankind. I think that's pretty deserving of a hatred.Religion has just been a convenient way of splitting people into "us and them". War is about gaining power, not religion.
If there was no religion, people would find another way of ratifying their actions. (all in my opinion)
What ignorant rubbish!
Shay HTFC said:
You think that if tomorrow there was no religion, that there would never be any more wars?
Religion has just been a convenient way of splitting people into "us and them". War is about gaining power, not religion.
If there was no religion, people would find another way of ratifying their actions. (all in my opinion)
It would be a lot harder to get the willing soldiers off to fight wars, certainly in the past, and possibly still. Religion has just been a convenient way of splitting people into "us and them". War is about gaining power, not religion.
If there was no religion, people would find another way of ratifying their actions. (all in my opinion)
Scenario 1)
"Come and fight the Islamic hordes and take back Jurusalem. You will be rewarded greatly in heaven, and thrust shall be most blessed, with a passage to the right hand of Dog if thrust victorious, or if thrust fall in the Lords name!"
"Oh, OK then"
Scenario 2)
""Come and thoust fight the Islamic hordes and take back Jurusalem, mainly for a power struggle, and to halt political issues in Europe from destabalisong the power of the Holy See. You might die, but if you do come back, which will probably be in several years you may or may not be rich, that if if you aren't hacked to death by a Scimitar"
"Er... No"
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