Queen's study finds religion helps us gain self-control

[OKIsItJustMe]

27. Wow!

I honestly don’t know why you’re so incensed!

Let’s try this on for size:
A variety of religions are practiced by a large number of people in the world. The principles of natural selection seem to extend to ideas as well as to other traits (see “memetics.”) The widespread nature of religion suggests that there is some natural selection for it. (Just as there appears to be for altruism.)

However, given the diversity of religious thought, it does not appear that there is an overwhelmingly positive selection for one particular strain of religious thought over others. (For example, there does not appear to be a deity actively exterminating infidels.)


This research explores a simple idea regarding the selection for religion. It does not (for example) suggest that there is a God, who is pleased by faith, and rewards the faithful. It simply suggests that religion might aid self control.

The teaching of self control appears to be fundamental to most (if not all) strains of religious teaching (e.g. the “Ethic of Reciprocity.”)

One does not need to be a deist to accept the ethic of reciprocity, but, certainly, you can see that those deists who believe in a deity who rewards those who faithfully follow the ethic, and/or punishes those who do not, might reinforce the tendency to follow it, benefiting the group.


Why do you find that so upsetting?