Articles tagged with Religion
Historian Prof. Dr Gerd Althoff argues that peace agreements have historically been successful when opponents establish genuine trust, rather than relying solely on confidence-building measures. This approach emphasizes forgiveness, mutual visits, and friendly conversation to create a foundation for long-term peace.
A University of Michigan study found that individuals with a superiority complex tend to overestimate their knowledge and seek out biased information. They are more likely to choose articles that support their beliefs, even when presented with contradictory evidence.
A Baylor University study reveals that Republicans who believe in an actively engaged God are more likely to support generous welfare policies, while Democrats tend to be less compassionate. The research found that conservatives predict negative views on social justice and retributive justice, leading to differences in party positions.
A study by Rice University found that 80% of black and Latino Americans believe in the healing power of religious faith, while Korean-Americans see it as primarily supportive. The research aimed to understand the role of church in health promotion and explored how racial representation shapes distrust of medicine.
A Portland State University study found that counties with more religious populations tend to have less risk-averse hedge fund managers, resulting in smaller and younger funds. Despite this, these funds produce returns comparable to the industry average, suggesting a link between local religiosity and organizational risk-taking.
A quality improvement project found that 80% of patients completed advance directives after discussing their wishes with a hospital-based chaplain. Chaplain-facilitated conversations provided patients with peace of mind and reduced family member guilt, as they documented their wishes in a shared document.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that adolescents who experienced racism between 11-23 years old are more likely to take up smoking. The study analyzed questionnaire and interview data from over 6500 pupils, revealing a strong link between racial trauma and the development of smoking habits.
A new study finds that married veterans are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts and behaviors compared to their single counterparts. The research, which analyzed responses from 772 recently returned veterans, also highlights the importance of addressing spiritual struggles in veteran suicide prevention efforts.
Frequent internet users see themselves as 'free agents' and are less likely to choose a religious tradition. Internet use encourages 'tinkering' with religious ideas, leading to a broader array of beliefs.
A national survey found that many Americans support denying service to same-sex couples, but not necessarily due to religious reasons. The study also discovered surprising strong support for denying service to interracial couples, highlighting a disconnect between public views and anti-discrimination laws.
Researchers found a strong bond with family, religion, and land; positivity, work ethic, stubbornness, and self-confidence as common traits. Participants displayed better mental health than younger family members, despite poorer physical health.
A recent study published in Sexuality & Culture explores how LGBQ* women's sexual desire is influenced by sociocultural factors such as sexism, religion, and body image. The research reveals that these factors have a significant impact on the lives of LGBQ* women, particularly those who identify as women of color or bisexual.
Research by UCL shows that hunter-gatherer storytellers played a crucial role in promoting co-operative and egalitarian values. The study found that skilled storytellers had greater reproductive success, were more likely to be co-operated with, and lived in camps with higher levels of cooperation.
Researchers at UT Austin uncover a previously unknown Greek copy of the First Apocalypse of James, a heretical Christian text describing Jesus' secret teachings to his brother. The discovery sheds light on the forbidden writings that were thought to be lost until now.
A recent study by Rice University sociologists found that over a third of Latino respondents believe science education may negatively impact their children's faith. The study aimed to understand the relationship between STEM education and religious faith among blacks and Latinos, two groups with high levels of religiosity.
A study by Coventry University and Oxford University found no connection between intuitive or analytical thinking and supernatural beliefs. Instead, researchers suggest that upbringing and socio-cultural processes drive religious beliefs, contradicting the long-held theory of 'natural' intuition playing a key role.
A recent study by Stockholm University's Demography Unit found that shared custody arrangements reduce stress levels in children. Children living with one parent are more likely to experience stress due to the lack of resources and relationships, while shared physical custody allows for regular contact with both parents, promoting stab...
A new study found that partners who have low power in their relationships are stuck with their partner's preferred brands, leading to a death-by-a-thousand-cuts feeling and decreased happiness. The researchers used brand preferences in various products to study individuals and couples over two years.
Researchers used a new, non-destructive technology to access medieval texts hidden inside ancient bookbindings. By fusing visible hyperspectral and X-ray fluorescence imaging, they discovered sixth-century Roman Law code written in marginal comments.
A new RAND Corporation study reveals that black and Hispanic patients are more likely to receive care from poorer quality hospices. In contrast, caregivers of these patients report similar or better experiences within the same hospice compared to white patients.
A new study from the University of Waterloo found that half of those who avoid flu shots do so due to concerns over vaccine effectiveness and personal immune systems. The study also revealed that moral and religious reasons, as well as past poor vaccine experiences, contribute to avoidance.
A new study found that spousal engagement in healthy diet planning and shared glycemic control activities can help manage type 2 diabetes. Positive religious coping by the nondiabetic spouse is also linked to higher levels of shared activities, while negative coping is associated with lower participation.
A recent Norwegian study found that religious individuals regret casual sex only slightly more than non-religious individuals. However, women regret their most recent one-night stand much more than men do, while men regret missing an opportunity much more than women do.
A University of Colorado Boulder study compares domestic extremists to street gang members, finding significant differences in age, education level, religiosity, and ethnicity. The research also suggests that policies targeting gangs may not be effective for countering domestic extremism.
Researchers propose that religion is an evolved domain or instinct, while intelligence allows people to rise above instincts. This association is supported by historical evidence and recent survey data across different countries and groupings.
Researchers used an indirect measurement technique to estimate atheism prevalence in the US, finding that it may be as high as 20-35%, which challenges prevailing theories. The study's findings suggest that people may be reluctant to disclose their lack of belief due to stigma, leading to underreported rates.
A new study by Harvard University researchers suggests that people tend to view immoral actions as impossible, leading them to make more moral decisions. When given time for reflection, participants rate one-quarter of immoral actions as impossible, but with less time, they call half of them impossible.
A new study of over 13,000 adolescents found a link between video game exposure and sexism. The research suggests that repeated exposure to media influences how we perceive social realities, and that video games can shape attitudes towards women.
A recent study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that people's romantic choices share similarities, but for different reasons. Physical attractiveness tends to attract similar types, while educated or religious individuals tend to meet others with similar backgrounds.
Intellectual humility, an awareness of one's own fallibility, increases tolerance and improves decision-making abilities. The trait affects how people evaluate evidence, assess politicians' views, and engage in constructive discussions.
A new study finds that active religious participation correlates with stronger social support networks in communities. Regular religious activity is viewed as trustworthy and generous, leading to more sought-after support from others.
A study found that educating religious leaders about the benefits of male circumcision led to a significant increase in circumcision rates in Tanzania. The intervention is believed to have worked by empowering religious leaders to discuss circumcision with their congregations, and may be an effective way to promote other healthy behavi...
A recent study from Rice University reveals that evangelicals are significantly more skeptical of evolution (70% false) compared to climate change skepticism (28%). This finding challenges the common perception that anti-evolution and anti-climate change views are linked.
Rochester Institute of Technology professor Owen Gottlieb has received a $99,800 NSF award to design a capacity-building program for early-career gaming scholars. The grant will provide mentorship, networking, and research opportunities to support the next generation of game designers and developers.
A study found that West African cities with lower male circumcision rates in 1950 tended to have higher HIV-2 prevalence from 1985. Male circumcision is known to reduce HIV-1 prevalence, suggesting that lack of circumcision may have driven initial HIV-2 emergence.
A new study by Case Western Reserve University links avoiding spiritual struggles with poorer mental health outcomes, including higher levels of depression and anxiety. People who fully engage with these struggles report better mental health than those who avoid them.
A study published in Social Neuroscience found that devout Mormons' spiritual experiences are associated with activation in the nucleus accumbens, a critical brain region for processing reward. The researchers also found that spiritual feelings activate regions linked to focused attention and moral reasoning.
A Baylor University study found that wives who have a romantic view of marriage are less likely to do volunteer work, leading their husbands to volunteer less as well. The researchers also discovered that time spent alone with one's spouse is positively associated with husbands' reports of their own volunteering.
A study published in Marketing Science found that leveraging psychological theories on sympathy when drafting a fundraising letter can significantly increase donations. The experiment involved varying the content of fundraising letters and measuring the response, resulting in a 300% increase in donations.
A majority of British scientists who mentioned Richard Dawkins during research interviews reject his public engagement approach, feeling he misrepresents science and its norms. The study's findings emphasize the importance of promoting science over personal attacks to effectively communicate scientific knowledge.
A new study reveals a wide range of unexpected authors contributing to psychology research, including politicians, celebrities, and historical figures. Notable examples include Ben Carson, Tim Duncan, and the Dalai Lama.
Archaeologists have discovered a rare Etruscan inscription naming female goddess Uni, possibly the patron deity of the Poggio Colla cult. The 500-pound stele contains one of the longest Etruscan texts ever found, shedding light on ancient fertility rituals and writing systems.
A study published in Evolution and Human Behavior found that regular churchgoers are perceived as more generous and hardworking compared to others. The researchers suggest that this is due to the potent signal sent by these individuals, demonstrating their generosity, devotion, and commitment to contributing to their communities.
A new study by University of Calgary researchers finds that adolescents who attend religious services are less likely to view pornography. The study, which surveyed over 3,000 teenagers and their parents, suggests that religious attendance acts as a social control factor that discourages porn usage among young people.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have found a significant link between discrimination and heavy drinking among minority groups. The study, published in Social Science & Medicine, analyzed 97 peer-reviewed studies that showed a clear connection between racism, sexism, and homophobia and increased alcohol abuse.
A study published in The Open Psychology Journal found a strong correlation between motivation to work and attraction to leisure. Researchers discovered three distinct groupings of individuals based on their strongest motivational factors, suggesting that the 'work hard, play hard' motivation could serve an evolutionary purpose.
A Stanford University study found that the majority of California and Hawaii residents supported physician-assisted death, with no significant differences in support across ethnicities. Older adults were more likely to support the practice, while those who reported less importance of spirituality were more likely to be supportive.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that women who attended religious services more than once per week had a significantly lower risk of both cardiovascular and cancer-related mortality. Frequent attendance was also associated with increased social support, reduced depression, and a more optimistic outlook on life.
According to a Baylor University study, youths who use social media are more likely to develop a "pick-and-choose" approach to customize their faith. Social media users tend to view all spiritual options as commodities that individuals can tailor to meet their needs.
Biologist Dr Aldemaro Romero Jr explores how major religions have influenced evolutionists and their scientific thinking over the centuries. He challenges notions of predetermination and linearity in evolutionary theory by highlighting the importance of considering philosophical baggage in research conclusions.
Research suggests that the brain's neural networks are at play when considering scientific evidence versus faith-based beliefs. Studies found that people with stronger empathetic connections tend to be more religious, while analytic thinking discourages acceptance of spiritual or religious beliefs.
A recent study found that the percentage of Americans who prayed or believed in God reached an all-time low in 2014. The decline was particularly pronounced among young adults, with nearly twice as many saying they did not believe in God as compared to the early 1980s.
Researchers found that thinking about how life might be worse if an event hadn't occurred led to increased faith and a stronger belief in God. This suggests that counterfactual thinking can play a role in shaping religious convictions, even for those who do not believe in a deity.
A Baylor University study found that people with an inner sense of attachment to God are more emotionally committed to their workplace and satisfied with their jobs. This attachment is linked to higher levels of job commitment, satisfaction, lower absenteeism, and conflict, as well as stronger coping skills.
A new study suggests that caregivers providing substantial health care assistance experience emotional, physical and financial challenges. The study highlights the importance of supporting family caregivers who provide most assistance with everyday activities.
A new study by Lauren Davenport found that daughters of interracial parents are more likely to identify as multiracial than sons. The study also reveals that religion and socioeconomic status play a significant role in how biracials self-identify, with women being more likely to identify as multiracial than men.
Research finds that thinking from God's perspective decreases biased valuation of non-believers' lives by almost 30%. This contradicts common assumptions about faith leading to violence. The study, published in PNAS, explores how Palestinian youth made moral choices from their own perspectives and Allah's perspective.
A new study published in Current Anthropology found that religion often created strong ties within communities, impeding the creation of state institutions. In contrast, elites in other regions used their religious roles to mediate between their communities and gods, leading to conflict with traditional leaders.
A global survey of 9,422 scientists across eight regions found that more than half identify as religious, challenging the notion that scientists are atheists. The study also showed that scientists generally view science and religion as compatible, with 25% believing they can coexist and help each other.
The SAGE Journal will begin publishing the International Bulletin of Mission Research in partnership with The Overseas Ministries Study Center. The journal provides in-depth analyses of worldwide Christianity and mission-focused book reviews. IBMR is an unparalleled source of information on the world church in mission.