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May 12th, 2011
12:46 PM ET
Religious belief is human nature, huge new study claimsBy Richard Allen Greene, CNN London (CNN) - Religion comes naturally, even instinctively, to human beings, a massive new study of cultures all around the world suggests. "We tend to see purpose in the world," Oxford University professor Roger Trigg said Thursday. "We see agency. We think that something is there even if you can't see it. ... All this tends to build up to a religious way of thinking." Trigg is co-director of the three-year Oxford-based project, which incorporated more than 40 different studies by dozens of researchers looking at countries from China to Poland and the United States to Micronesia. Studies around the world came up with similar findings, including widespread belief in some kind of afterlife and an instinctive tendency to suggest that natural phenomena happen for a purpose. "Children in particular found it very easy to think in religious ways," such as believing in God's omniscience, said Trigg. But adults also jumped first for explanations that implied an unseen agent at work in the world, the study found. The study doesn't say anything about whether God, gods or an afterlife exist, said Justin Barrett, the project's other co-director. "This project does not set out to prove God or gods exist. Just because we find it easier to think in a particular way does not mean that it is true in fact," he said. Both atheists and religious people could use the study to argue their sides, Trigg told CNN. Famed secularist Richard "Dawkins would accept our findings and say we've got to grow out of it," Trigg argued. But people of faith could argue that the universality of religious sentiment serves God's purpose, the philosophy professor said. "Religious people would say, 'If there is a God, then ... he would have given us inclinations to look for him,'" Trigg said. The blockbuster study may not take a stance on the existence of God, but it has profound implications for religious freedom, Trigg contends. "If you've got something so deep-rooted in human nature, thwarting it is in some sense not enabling humans to fulfill their basic interests," Trigg said. "There is quite a drive to think that religion is private," he said, arguing that such a belief is wrong. "It isn't just a quirky interest of a few, it's basic human nature." "This shows that it's much more universal, prevalent, and deep-rooted. It's got to be reckoned with. You can't just pretend it isn't there," he said. And the Oxford study, known as the Cognition, Religion and Theology Project, strongly implies that religion will not wither away, he said. "The secularization thesis of the 1960s - I think that was hopeless," Trigg concluded. |
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Actually we evolved, and the mythical boogey-man didn't cause that either. Anyone who wants to know the truth should in fact be looking at all the studies proving beyond a doubt that faith is caused by brain damage and brain washing, both leading to one ignoring reason. There's this tiny little piece of the brain, that when it gets damaged, causes people to become more "spiritual".
I can't believe there are two people with the name Trigg. Anyway, what happened to disqus comments? Anyone know?
Anyone who wants to know the truth should in fact be looking at all the studies proving beyond a doubt that faith is caused by brain damage and brain wahing, both leading to one ignoring reason. There's this little piece of the brain, that when it gets damaged, causes people to become more "spiritual".
Dan don't be stupid, there is also a part of the brain, that when damaged causes one not to be religious. However not everyone that is either atheist or faithful is brain damaged. Don't be a stooge.
In the beginning man created God, and man took comfort
During the mists of time since; Man and God forgot who created who
I find it interesting that this article says ot is instictual, because thousands of years before this study it was written in Ecclesiastes "God has placed eternity in the hearts of men" 🙂
P.s. Not to begin some crazy debate ok we all,have our opinions no,need for ugliness (that comment goes for BOTH sides) 🙂
"God has placed eternity in the hearts of men"
And what does that mean in the concrete?
Get in line, I am here.
Science as God. I have always wondered if anyone thinks that humanity will someday come up with an answer for all questions? Will those who want proof ever reach this desination for all things unknown?
No we will never have all the answers. We just don't invent sky daddies in order to do so either.
Putting skydaddies aside. How does one grapple with the unaswerable?
Actually we wern't created, we evolved, and the mythical boogey-man didn't cause that either. Anyone who wants to know the truth should in fact be looking at all the studies proving beyond a doubt that faith is caused by brain damage and brain wahing, both leading to one ignoring reason. There's this tiny little piece of the brain, that when it gets damaged, causes people to become more "spiritual".
Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle. Pants Hoot!
"WHY IS IT WHEN WE TALK TO GOD WE'RE SAID TO BE PRAYING, BUT WHEN GOD TALKS TO US, WE'RE SCHIZOPHRENIC?"
Fi...Fie...Fo...Fum... Seriously though, it's an interesting paradox.
like it..:)
like it..:)..
Wonder how you study if something is instinct?
Religion is a science of self-discovery and spiritual upliftment. Whether god exists or not is upto the definition of god which people have in their mind. If someone has studied complex Analysis in mathematics, the fundamental belief in that is to let square root of -1 be called 'i' . Though square root of -ve numbers is not possible, a whole world of mathematics is behind it and at the end of the day, they do solve real life problems. The bottom line message is that Religion and Belief systems do help to understand whatever is percieved to be real.
"Religion is a science of self-discovery and spiritual upliftment".
Religion is NOT a science. Please look up the definition of science and see how much you would need to jump on it to fit religion. Religion and science are polar opposites.
FifthApe: You bet! Science and religion (Christian) have always been enemies and don’t agree one bit on anything logical in the scientific and technical world accommodating us today. Remember Galileo and his findings 400 years ago?
It seems most people think this article is about scientific proof as to whether or not there is a god(s). It isn't. It is about whether people are able to have a pattern of thinking that easily allows for a god(s). Making an assumption about whether there is or isn't a god(s) based on the findings of this study is ridiculous. It is even more ridiculous to make the assumption that it proves the god(s) you believe in are the true god(s) based on the study.
The study is flawed to begin with because they questioned already religious people. These people were most likely dragged to church from birth in order to get an early start on the brainwashing. If someone is raised from infancy to belief something then it does become almost "instinctive", the same way as people who are trained in martial arts from childhood use moves that become instinctive after the years of training. Don't take your children to church or give them any religious training then they grow up to be atheists because religion is learned, not inborn.
Having reviewed many studies in the last 40 years, I dont think it's fair to say a study is flawed unless I have carefully examined the methodology applied.
Its inbuilt, man was designed to look up to God. Try as hard as they might, even athiests cannot ignore God.
Which god? Wait..... I know the answer its *your* god. Your version. The sheer number of invented gods each with its followers claiming it is the one and only one... what a joke.
Has to be a joke. How could you possibly know what most people think?
Watch us.
India has two million gods, and worships them all. In religion all other countries are paupers. India is the only millionaire. -Mark Twain
These comments are all strange, Those defending a god say CHRIST here and CHRISTIANITY, Why is it the CHRISTIANS are in the right? Religion has been around since WAY before Christianity? What about the millions of people on this planet who DON'T believe in Christ? you're telling me that ONLY Christians would be accepted in a Afterlife? How does that STORY not even seem man made? Religion at least to me ALL religion that is organized is no different then the Ancient Greek Mythology of people trying to explain their surroundings. I believe in a creator, But Religion.. The Bible.. The Koran, ALL MAN MADE. God himself the thought of him is MAN MADE, You're telling me a Being capable for creating this universe really gives a crap about individuals? REALLY LOVES, Love is a HUMAN emotion, In my opinion we can not even begin to fathom What *If anything* Created us at all.
99 percent fear death as the end so we natural gravitate to anything that says we will come back again
I believe in God, after life, and all that good stuff that comes with it. You dont believe? Well good for you. As long as we can kick it and have a good time doing something then hey it is what it is. I never understood people who have to force their beliefe on other people, no religion on earth says you have to convert people, and no, neither does Islam regardless of what you hear. How do I know, because Im muslim and love it and read the book front to back in Arabic and English. And no, I dont care if you worship your couch or the fridge, its between you and God (if you dont believe then its between you and .....) People who claim to be religious and try to shove religion down peoples throats are wasting their time, and pretty much violating their own religions. You cant make someone believe in GOD, just like you cant make someone Not believe in GOD. Its a personal choice, and when people start leaving people alone the world would be a better place. well, thats my 2 cents anyway
As a non-believer, well said.
Unfortunately, most religious followers do not share your benign views of belief.
You are a smart person!
Am an atheist and I respect your religious belief. But don’t force me to believe your beliefs and we’ll stay good friends.
People need to realize that most religious texts and theologies are originally based on METAPHOR, as to be easily related to a wide audience. Unfortunately, over the thousands of years since their founding, these metaphors were taken literally and transformed/skewed. Read some Eckhart Tolle. Learn about Buddhism and Spiritualism. See how the Bible and other texts use metaphor to explain these ideas. Heaven and Hell are all in our minds. Literally.
METAPHOR: Highly interpretative. One can interpret metaphors the way he/she sees/feels it.
If by instinctive you mean passed down by generations to future generations.
Now that I can believe.
Exactly
Absolutely not; even if you put a few babies on an island and they managed to grow to maturation, they would seek meaning and purpose behind both their own actions/existence and events that occur around them. People naturally do not want to believe that their own existence is merely cosmic chance and evolutionary luck. Their lives have meaning, and frankly I feel that sharing in this belief can help many people. I know it has helped my own...
Granted it goes without saying that the spirituality that these "island babies" would create would be uniquely theirs. However, the fact that basically every culture in human history has created a spiritual hierarchy reaffirms this study's findings.
I can believe that people instinctly seek meaning and more to life than "wow, you just showed up here one day." What I don't buy is that religion comes naturally. Spirituality in a sense – yes. Religion – no.
It's coming! The day is coming!! Those who love and know the truth need not to fear anything. For you will feel no pain. I weep for those of you who don't believe. I really do. Go, run!! when that time comes and will be soon... You feel the pain, the hurt, the sorrow, the blood. For jesus have cried for you and felt it too. He has been here all along, walking amongst us, waiting. Mark this day and remember these words on this day. You have been warned. To my fellow angles, come forth, be prepared to put on your armor and fight the good fight with me. Hear me!! It's time see the light. I love you all! Every single one of you. Ignore these words and I pray that my father, God will have mercy on your soul.
Love,
Jesus Christ
Moron
More threats from the faithful!
I always knew Jesus used CNN DQ boards to talk to us but here is proof.
American Taliban?
the study is bogus as children are poisoned at birth.
Sweden ireland and many other countries are at 50%+ athiest levels, science and education are winning out, this fairy tale has a real THE END coming.
To CHRIST:
If you are G-d in the flesh, why can't you even spell the word "angel" correctly????????
Just saying.
JC needs to use spell check. Angles?
Are you for real you jerk
I'm wondering if those angles will be acute or obtuse...
"Religious people would say, 'If there is a God, then ... he would have given us inclinations to look for him,'" Trigg said.
When was the last time JC was seen in a grilled cheese sandwich?
Wouldn't attributing your own words as that of Jesus be blasphemy?
i want to apologize for those who only saw the spelling. Notice how it was on the word "angels". I laugh at your doubt. Don't be afraid to believe. I dare you to, just the way u believe in your i pads, and i phones to correct your every word. He who has put the very breathe in your lungs knew this would come. "For it was written"
More will come and more will doubt until it begins to question your very own faith....
Love
J C
No, it is not blasphemy.
Love
J C
"Christ"
Another Anti Christ – how appropriate.
@bam
I too know this to be true, and I wish that will see.
JOHN CHAPTER 1 1-13
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[b] is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
Don't only read your Bible... understand it.
– Jesus Christ
Tell us how to f ck off oh lord?