"Belief in God Cuts Two Ways, Study Finds"

[Skwim]

"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.

 

[9Westy9]

"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.

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]

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.

Not sure I'd word it that way but agreed.

 

[waitasec]

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

i'm not surprised.
there are more followers than there are leaders.

 

[Quiddity]

Although I'm not surprised, it does not follow that "God" takes away motivation. One could have a non-deistic authoritarian system accomplish the same thing.

 

[9Westy9]

Not sure I'd word it that way but agreed.

If I were still a Christian then I'd also word it differently

 

[Quiddity]

If I were still a Christian then I'd also word it differently

Well, you COULD word it differently and still be faithful to your currently held beliefs.

 

[orcel]

"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.

I think I can understand this argument / finding. My belief in predestination for example could be used as an excuse to relax and allow my God planned destiny to reveil itself.

 

[orcel]

I think I can understand this argument / finding. My belief in predestination for example could be used as an excuse to relax and allow my God planned destiny to reveil itself.

of course I'm not promoting Religious Procrastination, just understanding how one could arive at that idea.

 

[9Westy9]

Well, you COULD word it differently and still be faithful to your currently held beliefs.

anything can be worded differently and still keep the same meaning. I just don't see any reason to re-word it.

 

[Panda]

Although I'm not surprised, it does not follow that "God" takes away motivation. One could have a non-deistic authoritarian system accomplish the same thing.

I agree with this. More an aspect of authority than of religion.

 

[Quiddity]

anything can be worded differently and still keep the same meaning. I just don't see any reason to re-word it.

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.

 

[PolyHedral]

Although I'm not surprised, it does not follow that "God" takes away motivation.

This appears to be a direct demonstration of exactly that.

 

[Quintessence]

Mmmph. It seems to me the writer of the article is stretching the research findings beyond what is reasonable. You cannot go from a sample that consists only of young college undergraduates (who are engineering students at that) and generalize that to the entire population of humanity. It is suggestive, but they need more data from other demographic units before they can make sweeping statements like that of the headline. I'd also like to see them explore more of the nuances of what "god" can mean given how much it varies globally.

 

[Quiddity]

This appears to be a direct demonstration of exactly that.

Not following you. Please clarify.

 

[Father Heathen]

Although I'm not surprised, it does not follow that "God" takes away motivation. One could have a non-deistic authoritarian system accomplish the same thing.

Perhaps not motivation per se, but the abrahamic perception of god definitely skews peoples priorities.

 

[Quiddity]

Perhaps not motivation per se, but the abrahamic perception of god definitely skews peoples priorities.

It's not a skew if we are choosing God to be the ultimate priority. That seems pretty obvious to me.

 

[Father Heathen]

It's not a skew if we are choosing God to be the ultimate priority. That seems pretty obvious to me.

The problem lies with the arbitrary, irrational and unsubstantiated things that man has invented and attributed to the concept of god and then given precedence over real world issues that are actually important.

 

[Quiddity]

The problem lies with the arbitrary, irrational and unsubstantiated things that man has invented and attributed to the concept of god and then given precedence over real world issues that are actually important.

I will ignore the regurgitated caricature and just ask what "world issue" do you tend to see Abrahamaic faiths not engaged in? This should be good...

 

[Father Heathen]

I will ignore the regurgitated caricature

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

and just ask what "world issue" do you tend to see Abrahamaic faiths not engaged in? This should be good...

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.