The Psychological benefit of religion

[owheelj]

Here's an excerpt from a new book by Matthew Hutson - The 7 Laws of Magical Thinking; How Irrational Beliefs Keep us Happy, Healthy and Sane.

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/20...-book-excerpt/

It's an interesting read and I will definitely read the book when I get an opportunity too. I note in this excerpt that the claim he's making is completely consistent with the research of Zuckerman and Paul; http://edge.org/3rd_culture/paul07/paul07_index.html, http://www.amazon.com/Society-withou.../dp/0814797148, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/phil-z..._b_731548.html etc.

Basically they are saying that people are religious because of the possibility of bad things happening outside of their control (as a social trend, not a comment on particular individuals). People with a lot of security are much less likely to be religious than people with little security etc. Therefore the "solution" to religion would be just well funded social security and social services

[owheelj]

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/20...hinking-hutson

I don't know if I agree, but I'll reserve judgement until I read the book and see the evidence.

Edit; The anecdote about Dawkins is rather amusing, but absurd.

[owheelj]

Ah, sorry, I mustn't have read that. Still probably deserves a topic somewhere other than 'off topic.'