Religious beliefs are not linked to intuition or rational thinking, according to research by the universities of Coventry and Oxford.
Previous studies have suggested people who hold strong religious beliefs are more intuitive and less analytical, and when they think more analytically their religious beliefs decrease. But new research, by academics from Coventry University's Centre for Advances in Behavioural Science and neuroscientists and philosophers at Oxford University, suggests that is not the case, and that people are not 'born believers'.
The study found no link between intuitive/analytical thinking, or cognitive inhibition (an ability to suppress unwanted thoughts and actions), and supernatural beliefs. Instead, the academics conclude that other factors, such as upbringing and socio-cultural processes, are more likely to play a greater role in religious beliefs. [1]
But where is culture based on, if not on intuition and/ or rational thinking? And in any case, can anything exist outside the context of culture? We are rational beings. Or irrational. It doesn’t really matter. We are who we are. And we create civilization. Part of which is religion and will always be. Instead of trying to cast it out by giving an (invalid) explanation for its existence, we should just accept it and embrace it. Depending on the axioms used anything can look stupid or bad. But take a closer (and more sincere) look. Religion tries to use the less axioms that any of you judging it. Religion tries to just accept the cosmos as it is. It is just that some people hate that. Some people are just too dogmatic to tolerate the freedom of thinking which allows some humans to see the cosmos without the dogmatic mentality of materialism. There is nothing wrong with religion. There is nothing wrong with you. Relax my boy. You are just afraid. I know. But don’t worry. Your father is here too…
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