Why religious people 'cling' to beliefs
even when contradicted by evidence
Staunchly religious people's minds are dominated by emotion over analytic thinking.Religious people "cling" to certain beliefs in the face of evidence because those views are closely tied to their moral compasses, new studies have suggested.
Dogmatic individuals hold confidently to their faith even when contradicted by experts because those beliefs have "emotional resonance," researchers said.
In contrast, militant atheists struggle to see anything positive about religion because their brains are dominated by analytical thinking, scientists found.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio interviewed 900 religious and non-religious people in two studies examining personality characteristics that drive dogmatism.
In both groups, they found people with higher critical reasoning skills were less staunch in their beliefs. But they differed in how moral concerns influence their thinking.
"Emotional resonance helps religious people to feel more certain - the more moral correctness they see in something, the more it affirms their thinking," said Anthony Jack, associate professor of philosophy and co-author of the research. "In contrast, moral concerns make non-religious people feel less certain."
Jared Friedman, a PhD student who co-authored the research, added: "It suggests that religious individuals may cling to certain beliefs, especially those which seem at odds with analytic reasoning, because those beliefs resonate with their moral sentiments."
While empathy is usually seen as a good thing, a burning sense of morality can be dangerous at its most extreme, researchers said.
"Terrorists, within their bubble, believe it's a highly moral thing they're doing. They believe they are righting wrongs and protecting something sacred," said Mr Jack.
Radio station cancels Richard Dawkins appearance over Islam tweets He added Donald Trump's election campaign had been been able to "appeal to members of its base while ignoring facts" by emotionally resonating with people.
At the other extreme, despite espousing critical thinking, dogmatic atheists "may lack the insight to see anything positive about religion," said Mr Jack. "They can only see that it contradicts their scientific, analytical thinking."
The researchers said their findings, published in the Journal of Religion and Health, lend further support to their earlier work that shows people have two brain networks for empathy and analytic thinking.
They said the religious dogmatist's mind appears to be dominated by empathy, while the atheist's is ruled by the analytic network.
The studies surveyed people who identified as atheist, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, and of 19 other religions.
Researchers suggested their findings were also broadly applicable to other areas of strongly opinionated debate, such as politics, vegetarianism and climate change.
Poster's Comment:
Repeating - Dogmatic individuals hold confidently to their faith even when contradicted by experts because those beliefs have "emotional resonance," researchers said.
Why religious people 'cling' to beliefs even when contradicted by evidence
| Source: | None |
| Published: | Jul 27, 2017 |
| Author: | Chris Baynes |
| Post Date: | 2020-04-16 04:04:58 by Gatlin |
| Views: | 5320 |
#1: A K A Stone To: Gatlin (#0)
Could you give some examples? From Biblical perspectives.
Are you an analytic thinker?
A K A Stone posted on 2020-04-17 00:06:55 Reply Private Reply
#2: paraclete To: A K A Stone (#1)
paraclete posted on 2020-04-17 02:44:10 Reply Private Reply
#3: Deckard To: A K A Stone (#1)
Deckard posted on 2020-04-17 02:45:25 Reply Private Reply
#4: A K A Stone To: Deckard (#3)
Nope!
A K A Stone posted on 2020-04-17 07:47:48 Reply Private Reply
#5: Gatlin To: A K A Stone (#4)
Gatlin posted on 2020-04-17 10:26:35 Reply Private Reply
#6: Gatlin To: Deckard (#3)
Gatlin posted on 2020-04-17 10:32:25 Reply Private Reply
#7: Liberator To: Deckard (#3)
The stench is definitely appalling.
Sad situation, isn't it? Oblivious sociopaths are the last to know.
Liberator posted on 2020-04-17 11:13:57 Reply Private Reply
#8: Gatlin To: A K A Stone (#1)
Gatlin posted on 2020-04-19 04:53:43 Reply Private Reply
#9: A K A Stone To: Gatlin (#8)
You really are slow.
I want you to tell me what some of your 'experts" have found that contradicted what is in the Bible.
You seem to rely on others for your thoughts a lot.
Every time someone takes you down again. You google and post an opinion google fed to you. You're a follower not leader.
A K A Stone posted on 2020-04-19 06:56:50 Reply Private Reply
#10: A K A Stone To: Gatlin (#8)
No law means no law.
What does No mean?
Are you in dumber that a 3 year old? Stupider than my dog?
And Alyssa before you say that means congress. Every state has the same provision.
A K A Stone posted on 2020-04-19 07:05:17 Reply Private Reply
#11: Gatlin To: A K A Stone (#9)
Gatlin posted on 2020-04-19 14:57:48 Reply Private Reply
#12: Gatlin To: A K A Stone, All (#9)
Gatlin posted on 2020-04-19 17:21:14 Reply Private Reply
#13: A K A Stone To: Gatlin (#12)
I want you to tell me what some of your 'experts" have found that contradicted what is in the Bible. Like I said from the start but maybe didn't make it clear enough for someone like you.
A K A Stone posted on 2020-04-19 17:28:07 Reply Private Reply
#14: A K A Stone To: Gatlin (#12)
The main subject from what I clipped was about people who hole their faith when contradicted by experts.
A K A Stone posted on 2020-04-19 17:33:22 Reply Private Reply
#15: Gatlin To: A K A Stone (#13)
Gatlin posted on 2020-04-19 17:39:45 Reply Private Reply
#16: A K A Stone To: Gatlin (#15)
A K A Stone posted on 2020-04-19 17:41:42 Reply Private Reply
#17: Gatlin To: A K A Stone (#14)
Gatlin posted on 2020-04-19 17:44:50 Reply Private Reply
#18: A K A Stone To: Gatlin (#17)
What is it that these "dogmatic" individuals believe that has been contradicted by "experts" and I would ask another who are these so called experts?
It is still checkmate. I'm just helping you to understand that.
A K A Stone posted on 2020-04-19 17:48:28 Reply Private Reply
#19: Gatlin To: A K A Stone (#16)
Pulling a hondo and posting a meme as a last resort when you have no intelligent retort reflects poorly on your debating ability.
Is that all you now have to offer?
So shabby
Gatlin posted on 2020-04-19 17:49:04 Reply Private Reply
#20: Gatlin To: A K A Stone (#18)
Gatlin posted on 2020-04-19 17:51:11 Reply Private Reply
#21: Gatlin To: A K A Stone (#18)
Gatlin posted on 2020-04-19 17:53:50 Reply Private Reply
#22: A K A Stone To: Gatlin (#21)
You make the point that you had nothing and are very dumb person.
A K A Stone posted on 2020-04-19 17:55:57 Reply Private Reply
#23: Gatlin To: A K A Stone (#22)
Gatlin posted on 2020-04-19 18:11:27 Reply Private Reply
#24: A K A Stone To: Gatlin (#23)
A K A Stone posted on 2020-04-19 19:27:39 Reply Private Reply
#25: Gatlin To: A K A Stone (#16)
Gatlin posted on 2020-04-20 04:04:46 Reply Private Reply
#26: Gatlin To: A K A Stone (#24)
Gatlin posted on 2020-04-20 04:10:33 Reply Private Reply