Thinking can undermine religious faith, study finds
Those who think more analytically are less inclined to be religious believers than are those who tend to follow a gut instinct, researchers conclude.
Scientists have revealed one of the reasons why some folks are less religious than others: They think more analytically, rather than going with their gut. And thinking analytically can cause religious belief to wane for skeptics and true believers alike.
The study, published in Friday's edition of the journal Science, indicates that belief may be a more malleable feature of the human psyche than those of strong faith may think.
The cognitive origins of belief and disbelief traditionally haven't been explored with academic rigor, said lead author Will Gervais, a social psychologist at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.
"There's been a long-standing intellectual tradition of treating science as one thing and religion as separate, and never the twain shall meet," he said. But in recent years, he added, there has been a push "to understand religion and why our species has the capacity for religion."
According to one theory of human thinking, the brain processes information using two systems. The first relies on mental shortcuts by using intuitive responses a gut instinct, if you will to quickly arrive at a conclusion. The other employs deliberative analysis, which uses reason to arrive at a conclusion.
Both systems are useful and can run in parallel, the theory goes. But when called upon, analytic thinking can override intuition.
http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-religion-analytical-thinking-20120427,0,5374010.story?
Odin2005
(53,521 posts)surrealAmerican
(11,360 posts)They're analytical thinkers - they need data.
rurallib
(62,411 posts)Xipe Totec
(43,890 posts)roguevalley
(40,656 posts)organized religion. I don't require the formality of religious practice to believe in God. I also don't need to have that to feel a connection to God and feel his/her presence in my life. Organized religion is manmade. The spiritual connection I feel with the greater consciousness of the world is something i have found on my own. I do however respect everyone's journey to their own reaizations.
Its unfortunate that fundamentalists in all the matters of spirit, religion, disbelief, etc have poisoned the whole idea with their 'knowing'. Peace.
Mopar151
(9,982 posts)taught me that I felt closer to God the further I got from Church -at least metaphorically. And my parents were not churchgoers - but if it was labeled "educational", and was free and accessible - I was there.
Populist_Prole
(5,364 posts)Out of 5 parts, it was:
3 parts of "they thought it was good for us somehow"
2 parts "get us out of the house so they could enjoy a quiet sunday mid-morning for a couple of hours"
As early as my preteen years I became cynical of the whole organized religion thing. Too much stuff didn't add up. I just didn't realize then that it was called being analytical.
emmadoggy
(2,142 posts)I feel very much the same way. Although, some days I feel quite agnostic.
I do think it is very possible to be spiritual without being "religious". That's how I feel. My pastor uncle says that the purpose of attending church is to "worship" God. But I don't feel that God is judging us on how often we attend church or how much we "worship" him. If God exists, I believe he judges us by how we use the free will he gave us to live our lives. The choices we make etc.
Organized religion can serve a valuable purpose in some people's lives. I'm thinking specifically of the help they can provide for members during difficult times and the support that community can give during an illness or after a death. But beyond that, church-going holds little value for me, which is why we don't attend. I do feel a bit of guilt over the fact that my kids have no clue about religious matters since they have never been to Sunday school or church, other than for weddings, funerals, and once or twice for Christmas. They are baptized, but I'm not sure what we will do about confirmation since they have not attended in any way. I'm sure that my mom and husband's mom will have something to say about that! Unfortunately, in the small town, rural area where we live, not attending church is quite out of the norm. There is definitely societal pressure there.
I agree with you on fundamentalists. They have served to turn me off from religion even more.
MindMover
(5,016 posts)saras
(6,670 posts)Even if you're using belief for something as prosaic as self-help, it seems to be to be as well-known as "water is wet". OF COURSE you have to nurture belief.
Lint Head
(15,064 posts)Hissyspit
(45,788 posts)msongs
(67,401 posts)Zoeisright
(8,339 posts)That's what we're up against.
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)Atheists & Agnostics (Group)