"Belief in God Cuts Two Ways, Study Finds"

[Quiddity]

It's an apt and honest appraisal. If that description is displeasing, then that ball is in the faithful's court.

Equality, rights, liberty, science, education and environment. Sure, small handfuls of people from abrahamic faiths have championed these causes, but unfortunately they appear to be the exception rather than the rule. Often times those of these faiths attempt to undermine such causes.

For example, the pope condemning the use of condoms despite the fact that regions of Africa face both an AIDS and overpopulation epidemic. A case of superstition superseding common sense.

Well, atleast you got to the real point of your thread rather quickly.

By small handfuls, do you mean in comparison to non-theist? Or in comparison to non-Abrahamaic?

 

[9Westy9]

Charity for one. It's not that bad, but one should make every effort to disagree in charity. It just gets things to progress more; which in turn helps both sides grow.

I guess by charity you mean

charity - a kindly and lenient attitude toward people

How was my post 'disagreeing in charity'?

Not to me. If you believe in a god like the Christian God then you are told to serve him and his agenda rather than your own selfish desires.

 

[Quiddity]

I guess by charity you mean



How was my post 'disagreeing in charity'?

Could have left out "His agenda". But like I said, it's no biggy.

 

[9Westy9]

Could have left out "His agenda". But like I said, it's no biggy.

Ah I guess. Although I was just showing a point of view that I know of.

 

[Father Heathen]

Well, atleast you got to the real point of your thread rather quickly.

My point, pertaining to the op, was that belief in god (depending on the particular 'brand' of belief) can indeed impact motivation and priority negatively.

By small handfuls, do you mean in comparison to non-theist? Or in comparison to non-Abrahamaic?

Take a look at the majority social/political movements and organizations that are oriented around an abrahamic faith and the causes and agendas that usually top their list.

 

[Quiddity]

My point, pertaining to the op, was that belief in god (depending on the particular 'brand' of belief) can indeed impact motivation and priority negatively.

Take a look at the majority social/political movements and organizations that are oriented around an abrahamic faith and the causes and agendas that usually top their list.

Can't say I'm too motivated to look that up. As my motivation is impaired and lacks any sense of empericalism or logic. You see, you seem to think that the Catholic Church (or whatever religion you wish to love for that day) getting it wrong about the AIDS pandemic is a sure sign of just how twisted their priorities are. Had they agreed with you, they certainly would have had their priorities straight. So I can only conclude that you think agreeing with you is the only sure way to get your priorities straight.

Note - Did you notice the article in the OP wasn't singling out Abrahamaic faiths and even go so far as to say: "The level of participants' religious devotion had no impact on the outcomes in any of the experiments..."......This included people that didn't even consider themselves religious.

A priori has been erected indeed...

So yeah, not really motivated.

 

[waitasec]

Can't say I'm too motivated to look that up. As my motivation is impaired and lacks any sense of empericalism or logic. You see, you seem to think that the Catholic Church (or whatever religion you wish to love for that day) getting it wrong about the AIDS pandemic is a sure sign of just how twisted their priorities are. Had they agreed with you, they certainly would have had their priorities straight. So I can only conclude that you think agreeing with you is the only sure way to get your priorities straight.

Note - Did you notice the article in the OP wasn't singling out Abrahamaic faiths and even go so far as to say: "The level of participants' religious devotion had no impact on the outcomes in any of the experiments..."......This included people that didn't even consider themselves religious.

A priori has been erected indeed...

So yeah, not really motivated.

have you considered that most people...are religious.
the abrahamic religions take up 2/3 of the worlds population...
that is a significant amount of people and i think it was a fair assessment.

 

[Walkntune]

I think when people discover God they become more contempt with just" being" then having to try and persue happiness and may appear to be less motivated.

 

[waitasec]

I think when people discover God they become more contempt with just" being" then having to try and persue happiness and may appear to be less motivated.

you mean content right?

i disagree. i know plenty of christians and they are not content. they do seem rather controlling by prying into other peoples business.

 

[rusra02]

"Being reminded of the concept of God can decrease people's motivation to pursue personal goals but can help them resist temptation, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.

'More than 90 percent of people in the world agree that God or a similar spiritual power exists or may exist," said the study's lead author, Kristin Laurin, PhD, of the University of Waterloo in Canada. "This is the first empirical evidence that simple reminders of God can diminish some types of self-regulation, such as pursuing one's goals, yet can improve others, such as resisting temptation.'
source and explanation of the study
​

The resisting temptation part wasn't surprising, but the decrease in people's motivation to pursue personal goals sure is.

What I find most interesting is the quote that "more than 90 percent of people in the world agree that God or a smilar spiritual power exists or may exist." That is a very high number, given the relentless drumbeat of evolutionary propaganda.

 

[PolyHedral]

What I find most interesting is the quote that "more than 90 percent of people in the world agree that God or a smilar spiritual power exists or may exist." That is a very high number, given the relentless drumbeat of evolutionary propaganda.

Of course it's such a high number; it's a very stupid question.

 

[Kathryn]

So what's the application? Is the author saying that theists don't have careers which are as successful as non theists? Is the author saying that non theists win more Olympic medals than theists?

I'd like to see some proof that theists are not as successful as non theists. This would seem to be the natural outcome of a "lack of motivation."

But I suspect that this "study" is a bunch of hooey.

 

[Quiddity]

have you considered that most people...are religious.
the abrahamic religions take up 2/3 of the worlds population...
that is a significant amount of people and i think it was a fair assessment.

FH's point wasn't just that most are Abrahamaic (that much is obvious just based on statistics) but that those who would categorize themselves under that umbrella have a......"perception of god that definitely skews peoples priorities". [emphasis added].

That completely ignores the fact that many Jews, Christians, and Muslims vary in their devotion toward what is taught in their perspective faiths. So for example, if the Catholic Church is vocal against contraceptives and the vast majority of catholics use contraceptives anyways (an example he used), how can one say that the Abrahamaic God has skewed their priorities? Especially in light of the fact that they are doing exactly with what he agrees is the responsible thing to do.

Point being, people form their own vision of God and values with or without an organized religion.

 

[CynthiaCypher]

They came to this conclusion by getting 353 students to play a word game. I am taking this with a very big grain of salt

 

[strikeviperMKII]

"Being reminded of the concept of God can decrease people's motivation to pursue personal goals but can help them resist temptation, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.

'More than 90 percent of people in the world agree that God or a similar spiritual power exists or may exist," said the study's lead author, Kristin Laurin, PhD, of the University of Waterloo in Canada. "This is the first empirical evidence that simple reminders of God can diminish some types of self-regulation, such as pursuing one's goals, yet can improve others, such as resisting temptation.'
source and explanation of the study
​

The resisting temptation part wasn't surprising, but the decrease in people's motivation to pursue personal goals sure is.

Is not resisting temptations a personal goal? Why draw the line between the two? You resist temptation in order to achieve goals, and if being reminded of God helps you do that, then it indirectly helps them achieve their goals.

A further note, I do not believe a group of average age nineteen-year-olds in college constitutes a complete understanding of God. The phrase "they believe an omniscient entity watches over them and notices when they misbehave" makes it very clear that at least some of them still think God is Santa Claus, making his list and checking it twice, which God does not do (doesn't even check it once...or even make a list in the first place).

 

[strikeviperMKII]

They came to this conclusion by getting 353 students to play a word game. I am taking this with a very big grain of salt

I agree. The number of words you come up with with a group of letters is not an indicator of motivation...just creative thinking.

 

[CynthiaCypher]

I agree. The number of words you come up with with a group of letters is not an indicator of motivation...just creative thinking.

And perhaps some students thought that the word game was boring and a waste of their time and that's what reduce motivation

 

[strikeviperMKII]

And perhaps some students thought that the word game was boring and a waste of their time and that's what reduce motivation

Hadn't considered that, but it is a valid point.

 

[Me Myself]

On my personal opinion the concept of God is a tool.

this merely explains how most peole use this tool.

Kinda deprezing but on human nature more than God´s nature, to my interpretation at least n_nU

 

[waitasec]

FH's point wasn't just that most are Abrahamaic (that much is obvious just based on statistics) but that those who would categorize themselves under that umbrella have a......"perception of god that definitely skews peoples priorities". [emphasis added].

That completely ignores the fact that many Jews, Christians, and Muslims vary in their devotion toward what is taught in their perspective faiths. So for example, if the Catholic Church is vocal against contraceptives and the vast majority of catholics use contraceptives anyways (an example he used), how can one say that the Abrahamaic God has skewed their priorities? Especially in light of the fact that they are doing exactly with what he agrees is the responsible thing to do.

Point being, people form their own vision of God and values with or without an organized religion.

point taken...
but i would like to add that there is an underlying notion of...do no worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will take care of itself...consider the illies of the field type of thing.
i think of the huge credit problem we have in this country...people buying with the idea that god, or the universe for that matter, will provide for them...by the next billing cycle.