A question I have been pondering for a long time now is whether individuals who are attracted to religions share a common personality trait. By this I mean that my (very) biased view is that more often than not, religion is used as a crutch. So are individuals in religion more of "externals" in terms of locus of control?
I can see this post attracting fire, but I would really like to see research done on this. Granted, there are many reasons to join a religious organization. But where is it that religion seems most popular? Oppressed, poor, conflict-laden countries, where hope is faint that one can influence one's life outcome (and the US too, which is strange to me, but perhaps we could say that is the exception that confirms the rule??? Just kiddin...). Anyhow, this would be interesting, if not controversial, research. In my 100% atheist view, I can choose to live a life that is good without the strict rules of a dogmatic organization. Ho, and one last thing, simply because we all love the case examples... A good friend of mine, back in Quebec (which used to be very religious until the 60-70's) was working in a rubber strips manufacture. He was 23, and his colleague in his late 50's. One day, the older guy asks my friend if he believed in God. My friend replied he did not. The man then said, "So, you can just go out there and kill someone and you wouldn't care"? Well, what can I say... gotta love that story! Cheers to all, both "Internals" AND "Externals". Jean-Marc -----Original Message----- From: Jim Guinee [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2006 10:00 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: [tips] Re: Deities "R" Us - tangental > I hate to confess I am enjoying this thread even as I wonder if it > has run its course. Clearly the main participants are unlikely to > convince each other, and, I suspect, anyone else beyond what's been > said. At some point maybe each should consider why they press on with > it. If it's to have a discourse, go for it. If it's to convince each > other, I don't see it happening. I'd like to see something that explores the psychology of the religious person, or community, etc. But I don't have anything more to contribute at this point, and don't plan on it unless someone smarter than me can figure out how to move this discussion in a more fruitful manner JG --- To make changes to your subscription go to: http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang=engl ish --- To make changes to your subscription go to: http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang=english
