"Argument from authority" as social glue?
 

An interesting take on the world's religions and human behavior. Is it really nothing more than a surrogate parental authority?

"Instead of studying religion by trying to measure unidentifiable beliefs in the supernatural, we looked at identifiable and observable behavior - the behavior of people communicating acceptance of supernatural claims," said Craig T. Palmer, associate professor of anthropology in the MU College of Arts and Science. "We noticed that communicating acceptance of a supernatural claim tends to promote cooperative social relationships. This communication demonstrates a willingness to accept, without skepticism, the influence of the speaker in a way similar to a child's acceptance of the influence of a parent."

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080909122749.htm

Believing in that stuff can make hair grow on your hand ya know....

This need for a social "glue" has always been the prime mover in any religion. That is why humans constructed religions in the first place. A fascinating subject.

I wouldn’t say there is “nothing” more than a surrogate parental authority, but that is certainly a large part of it.

If you recall the list of needs that religion meets, “surrogate parental authority” applies, to some degree, to needs 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9.

1) Something to explain the unexplained
2) The need to know that death is not the end
3) The need to believe that there is more to life that what we see here on earth.
4) Something to absolve guilt, e.g. forgiveness from your “sins”
5) The need to belong to a group
6) The need to feel superior to others
7) The need for unconditional love
8) An absolute authority for morals
9) Direction on how to live your life
10) A need to be right
11) The faith that sins in this world will be appropriately dealt with in the next

just another tool trying to rationalize away his insecurity as it pertains to religion (or lack of).

Fixed it for you. SmileWavy

sammyg2 says "I'm just another tool trying to rationalize away his insecurity as it pertains to needing religion."

Either bring something to the table or have a seat. Sheesh. Lashing out as a result of your own insecurities continues to reflect badly on you. Religion (as a man-made construct) is a complete waste of time. Belief in some sort of invisible supernatural being might earn you a badge of honor in some circles, but it remains a stunningly irrational belief. No matter how you slice it.

As Bill Engvall would say, "Here's your sign". Wear it proudly sammy...

This is discussed at some length in "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins.

Dont mention R****** D****** or that book around here. It sends certain elements quite nuts. God forbid they should actually read it, their heads would issplode.

Actually, religion is quite an important part of social relationships. Peter Berger studied it extensively in the 70s. Now, pushing your religion on others, or degrading them because of their religion? THAT is a complete waste of time ;)

While I understand your point, I struggle with the fact that even if religion is an important part of social relationships, that has no bearing on its validity. To me, it's not far removed from making a point that many people enjoy reading their horoscopes each day, so that must mean astrology is a valid branch of science.

There is as much evidence that horoscopes are true as there is evidence for the various claims of the multitudes of religions. If everyone treated religious "prophecies" with the same weight as astrological predictions, we'd all get along much better.

While we are all here and no one is taking any notice.....have a look at this.

I must say I had heard of Conservapedia, but never looked at it. I tripped upon this while reading something else.....


http://www.conservapedia.com/Atheism

Threats and promises - religion. A good way to keep the masses under control.

That guy in a wheelchair who came up with Dawkins Radiation?

What a fool. :D

That's hilarious! Is that a real site or is it like The Onion (fake news site)?

Sadly, all too real. It is interesting how reality seems to always be anti-christian. :rolleyes:

"It was started in 2006[2] by lawyer and history teacher[3] Andrew Schlafly, son of conservative activist and Eagle Forum founder Phyllis Schlafly. He stated that he founded the project because he felt that the open-source web encyclopedia Wikipedia had a liberal, anti-Christian, and anti-American bias.[4]"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservapedia

Well, then this seems an appropriate point to post a link!

A quote:

"conservatism is a partially heritable personality trait that predisposes some people to be cognitively inflexible, fond of hierarchy, and inordinately afraid of uncertainty, change, and death."

From: http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/haidt08/haidt08_index.html

Very interesting read...

Yeah, thats him, the dribbling one. -)

I wish there was to repsond without bumping this thread.....If anybody is so inclined, checkout these gems on Conservapedia.

* Evolution
* Homosexuality
* Bias in Wikipedia
* Jesus Christ
* Bible
* Global Warming
* Homeschooling
* Barack Obama
* Hollywood values
* John McCain
* Abortion
* Feminism
* Intelligent design
* Creation Science
* Christianity
* Conservative
* Liberal
* Conservapedia terms
* Faith
* Dinosaur
* Young Earth Creationism
* Deceit
* Professor values
* Gun control