I found an article on FB from Wired Magazine on this book.
It's not promoting religion. It's about the good parts of the psychology of religion. Not the "give us money" part.
Here's the description on Amazon...
Drawing on a wealth of new evidence, pioneering research psychologist David DeSteno shows why religious practices and rituals are so beneficial to those who follow them—and to anyone, regardless of their faith (or lack thereof).
Scientists are beginning to discover what believers have known for a long time: the rewards that a religious life can provide. For millennia, people have turned to priests, rabbis, imams, shamans, and others to help them deal with issues of grief and loss, birth and death, morality, and meaning. In this absorbing work, DeSteno reveals how numerous religious practices from around the world improve emotional and physical well-being.
With empathy and rigor, DeSteno chronicles religious rites and traditions from cradle to grave. He explains how the Japanese rituals surrounding childbirth help strengthen parental bonds with children. He describes how the Apache Sunrise Ceremony makes teenage girls better able to face the rigors of womanhood. He shows how Buddhist meditation reduces hostility and increases compassion. He demonstrates how the Jewish practice of sitting shiva comforts the bereaved. And much more.
DeSteno details how belief itself enhances physical and mental health. But you don’t need to be religious to benefit from the trove of wisdom that religion has to offer. Many items in religion’s “toolbox” can help the body and mind whether or not one believes. How God Works offers advice on how to incorporate many of these practices to help all of us live more meaningful, successful, and satisfying lives.
So someone read this book and tell us if it makes any sense. The book report is due next Monday.
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11 comments:
Hmmm.
I can remember being ballistic with rage when an avowed Christian told me that I couldn't have any ethical standards without religion. I haven't changed my position.
I've heard the "religion is good for your mental health" line before, and that may be true, but I have to know something really exists before I can believe in it. In other words, I'll take neurosis over delusion, especially if it's a delusion that I have to force upon myself.
This is probably similar to a book that would try to explain the benefits of economic theory to those at the very bottom of the economic ladder. I'll pass.
I have no doubt that "spirituality" confers emotional and psychological benefits. "Religion," however, subjects people to control and abuse and encourages persecution of perceived enemies. Two entirely different kettles of fish.
My sister has a meditation practice and she really enjoys it - no deity required either.
As a reader of such practices and a defrocked preacher, I'll put it on my list but won't have it read by next Monday. I am currently reading excerpts from the Tao te Ching on a daily basis, include meditation as a practice, am finishing a book on science and scientific thought, and am generally fascinated at how the mind works, grows, and responds to the world around us.
Thanks for the info.
Sue - I would have been the same. Luckily I've never run into anyone like that.
Kirk - Unfortunately there are people that need religion to feel like they belong to something. They can't hack it alone.
Bill - You're probably right.
Deb - I read the book The God Gene. The gene is VMAT2. The more it is expressed in your body the more religious (I think) you'll be. Or is it the more spiritual...
Lady - There have been several health sites that have been promoting meditation recently.
John - How about Tuesday?
Thank you Mike
Cloudia - You're welcome - into Maori - kei mai koe - Back to English - Don't come
It sounds like the author has a big picture definition of religion. I'm backed up on books to read for the foreseeable future, but might add this one to the list.
Kathy - It's a race between you and John to the finish.
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