The ways these practices leverage mechanisms of our bodies and minds can enhance the joys and reduce the pains of life. Parts of religious mourning rituals incorporate elements science has recently found to reduce grief. Healing rites contain elements that can help our bodies heal themselves simply by strengthening our expectations of a cure.
The surprise my colleagues and I felt when we saw evidence of religion’s benefits was a sign of our hubris, born of a common notion among scientists: All of religion is superstition and, therefore, could have little practical benefit. I’ll admit that we’re unlikely to learn much about the nature of the universe or the biology of disease from religion.
Over the past few years, as I’ve looked back at the results of my studies and those of other researchers, I’ve come to see a nuanced relationship between science and religion. I now view them as two approaches to improving people’s lives that frequently complement each other. It’s not that I’ve suddenly found faith or have a new agenda to defend religion. I firmly believe that the scientific method is a wonder, and offers one of the best ways to test ideas about how the world works.
Rather than scoffing at religion and starting psychological investigations from scratch, we scientists should be studying rituals and spiritual practices to understand their influence, and where appropriate, create new techniques and therapies informed by them. Doing this doesn’t require accepting a given theology—just an open mind and an attitude of respect. Not doing it risks betraying our principles.
Short version: you don't. Next question?
“There’s a sucker born every minute”
So it proves 'What's the magic word natural selection theorem' then? All that killing 'cos people didn't suck up to landlords.
Will the Abrahamic religions change their view of pagans?
Lighting candles and singing on the holidays, sure! Being told you’re a sinner all the time, and that you’re going to be sent to eternal damnation, not so good! They need to work on that part.
How many wars are religion based? How advanced would we be if religion ran things? How much would you like to wager the next bomb is detonated in association with some holy figure?
there was no notion of religion or word for it before 33-34 years ago anywhere across the world. it's the mass lie that they all each use, to steal the original rights over the notion of a soul of immortality and of God and everything else. (IntlCrimCourt) followthewhiterabbit
MCHammer
Hammer is being cited as a theologian. Who next? Mase?😉
I hope one day everyone wakes from the delirium of religion even if it isn't in my lifetime.
The world would be such a better place without religion... without ALL religions
They have a lot to catch up on
God exists and shows himself to us in our hearts every day. We just have to listen.
This is backwards. Religion never mattered.
It’s called manipulation… or start with indoctrination
Wow. We've had religion practices for thousands of years and it turns out it's actually useful ! Pretty surprising 😌
Overall some modest religion was better than no organization but far from optimal.
Article is about meditation, not religion, contrary to what title says