How I stopped hating religion
Here’s a short essay I wrote for CNN on how I went from being an angry young atheist to being a psychologist who thinks that religion was a crucial part of our biological and cultural evolution for morality.
CNN also shows this short video interview with me, done at TED 2012, on tribalism in our political lives:
I’m enjoying your book (about half way through at this point). I wonder what would happen if social and political scientists were to actively build relationships with select religious leaders (with followers across the political spectrum) who are equally concerned about the threat that the current toxic political conflict now poses to our society. Might adding their influence to the mix be of value in your effort to influence change?
apologies, this comment doesn’t pertain to any particular blog; just curious how you came up with the belief on your homepage about the book that without healthy gossip, human moralising and judgment, the world would descend into chaos. Simply because it’s at odds with all mystical traditions, christian, zen whatever, and also with my own and other people’s experience. If we stay present (to use a popular term) and witness the world without setting our minds in motion for or against, to feel a personal desire or sympathy for another … the more I do this I find the LESS chaotic my LIFE is and I’d like to say the better my decision-making abilities, but really I don’t do anything and so I don’t take credit it’s just that I don’t get in the way of my talents and life just WORKS. I get promoted at work; there’s peace in the home and my marriage hums along beautifully. Quite the opposite of chaos. There’s enough emperical and aeons of anecdotal eividence to suggest this is true: as we let go, life is less chaotic. Could you perhaps provide a reference where you have perhaps enumerated more fully on the statement??
As a Christian, home-schooling mother I have to say I found your lecture on cspan book TV, very intriguing. Due to the level of respect you choose to give to religious people and groups, I feel more compelled to read what you have to say. I am and always have been very religious, however, I personally am against conforming to certain religious ideologies( especially when it comes to politics.) I feel my God has given me a brain in hopes that I will choose to use it rather than memorize what some one feels I should believe.
This is wonderful to hear. There has been so much unnecessary conflict between science and religion. We will disagree on some things, but I believe we can still respect each other, and each others’ motives. Some people on both sides think for themselves; some people on both sides accept ideas because of tribal loyalty.
I agree that there has been “unnecessary conflict between science and religion.” However, “tribal loyalty” to me seems foolish, seeing as a tribe is only as good as its leader (and leaders being human and not holy are prone to mistakes). If a leader misunderstands something or is misinformed and passes this information on to a congregation or the rest of his “tribe” and they chose to accept this as fact and then witness to other tribes they affiliate with who in return accept and pass it on to more tribes is it “tribal loyalty” or simply ignorance? I also agree “we can still respect each other, and each others’ motives.” However, I believe both (I do not deal with absolutes) Atheists and Religious people tend to judge each other very unfairly, both looking at there personal beliefs rather than judging some ones decision by that person beliefs.
I consider myself a some-what intelligent person and(here is an example of unfair judgement) when I made the decision to marry my husband at the age of 18 and be his “helper-suitable” to him and raise a family instead of following my dreams of journalism, I lost a lot of friends because of this choice. One particular friend who was/is antagonistic referred to my decision to marry at such a young age that I was being nothing more than ” a high-class whore”. Although at the time I found this incredibly offensive I do now understand where a non-religious person may see a woman choosing to take the role as a submissive wife instead of continuing her education as ludicrous. With that being said, I have two beautiful children whom I adore and although sweeping up cheerios, and brushing little teeth may not be as adventurous or exciting as a career in journalism, I am happy with my decision. I personally, believe a women’s place is at home (I’m sure I just offended every one who may read this) taking care of her husband and her children.
A lot of atheists (again I do not deal with absolutes, so please do not take offense) do not understand this or merely think some one, such as myself is ignorant and naive for choosing this lifestyle. I, however, still educate myself on anything I feel like learning from politics to cake decorating( I had to throw that in there) and do not find that my choice to discontinue my formal education for a conservative Christian life style has hindered who I could have become, but has helped me embrace who my God intended me to be. I am still myself, and am almost positive I am thee only stay at home, home-schooling, Christian, Democrat in the world, I am who my God created me to be. I simply believe both Christian and Atheists need to take there time to listen to one another, especially Christians for our God commands us to “love thy neighbor” yet I feel this has been replaced over the years by “tribal leaders” with “judge thy neighbor” – I apologize for how lengthy this is-