Religious people are ‘more helpful, honest and generous’ say scientists

One supposes that this is official, since Scientists now say so.

Believing in God makes people nicer, a major study has concluded. After analysing three decades of research, scientists say religion encourages individuals to be more helpful, honest and generous.

One would guess that Bill Maher WON’T refer to this in his recently released cinematic anti-religious diatribe.

But believers acting for the greater good may be doing so to enhance their own reputation among friends and acquaintances, according to the review published today in the journal Science.

And the point is? IMHO positive behavior is positive…for whatever reason. From the Chief’s religious viewpoint, one often starts doing something good for many mixed reasons, but grows into the spirit of the undertaking, and ends up with an entirely different…and more spiritually oriented view of what was done than was present when it started. In other words, doing something good changes, and improves the doer, and THAT’s a part of what religion should be all about!

Dr Ara Norenzayan, a psychologist at the University of British Columbia, Canada, said the debate over whether religion improves behaviour has too often been driven by opinion and anecdote. ‘We wanted to look at the hard scientific evidence,’ he said.

Published research into the links between religion and ‘pro-social’ behaviour showed that religious and spiritual thoughts reduced rates of cheating in games and increased trust between strangers.

Repeated studies have shown that those who frequently pray and attend religious services report more charitable donations and volunteer work, they said.

Like it says in The Book: “By their fruits, ye shall know them.”