Science & the Big Questions

Study: Viewing Religion, Science as Incompatible Is Uniquely American

In some countries, religiosity and pro-science attitudes are actually positively correlated, according to the results of a recent study.

Big Think

Topics: Models of Science & Religion Religiosity

Once Religious, Always Religious?

Meaning Making, Psychology Today

Topics: Meaning Religiosity Religious Change

The Pandemic Is Making People More Religious

The Boston Globe

Topics: Coping Faith Religiosity Religious Change Spirituality

The Global God Divide

People’s thoughts on whether belief in God is necessary to be moral vary by economic development, education, and age.

Pew Research Center

Topics: Demography Morality Religiosity Values

Healthy Dose of Religion

Regularly attending religious services associated with lower risk of deaths of despair, Chan School study says.

The Harvard Gazette

Topics: Death Hope Meaning Religiosity Resilience

The Global Flourishing Study

Seeking input on the next critical steps in the study of well-being.

Human Flourishing, Psychology Today

Topics: Flourishing Happiness Meaning Purpose Religiosity Spirituality

Realities on the Ground for Science and Faith Amidst COVID-19

In the midst of COVID-19, how have faith communities been grappling with questions of access and justice?

Sinai and Synapses

Topics: Elaine Howard Ecklund Religiosity Science & Religion Dialogue Social Inequality

Intrinsic Religiousness Can Buffer Against Cognitive Dissonance in Response to Existential Threats

Existentially threatening situations like natural disasters and terrorist attacks can induce cognitive dissonance among the religious. But this cognitive dissonance appears to be reduced in those who view their religion as a central component of life.

PsyPost

Topics: Belief Religiosity

Does Adversity Really Make Us Stronger? Usually Not

After experiencing a very stressful event or personal misfortune, many people say that the event helped them grow in various ways. However, studies suggest that most people don’t experience genuine posttraumatic growth. So what’s the truth?

Character & Context, Society for Personality and Social Psychology

Topics: Coping Religiosity Spirituality

What Causes Religious Belief?

Watch the interview series.

Closer To Truth

Topics: Belief Religiosity

Physicist Brian Greene: ‘Factual Information Is Not the Right Yardstick for Religion’

The theoretical physicist on distinguishing between fact and opinion, why he’d travel forward in time instead of back, and the value of religion.

The Guardian

Topics: Brian Greene Meaning Nature of Time Purpose Religiosity Universe

When Our Religious Beliefs Make Us Bad

Religiosity may encourage “passive” immorality but may discourage “active” immortality.

Character & Context, Society for Personality and Social Psychology

Topics: Morality Religiosity

Does Going To Church Improve Your Mental Health?

It’s been debated a long time: Does being part of organized religion improve your mental health?

Hidden Brain, NPR

Topics: Religiosity

Does a Religious Upbringing Promote Generosity or Not?

An erroneous paper on religion and generosity is finally retracted.

Human Flourishing, Psychology Today

Topics: Altruism Flourishing Generosity Religiosity

40 Percent of Americans Believe in Creationism

Four in 10 Americans have a creationist view of human origins, while 33 percent believe humans evolved with God’s guidance and 22 percent without it.

Gallup

Topics: Religiosity Religious Groups

Conservatives Find More Meaning in Life Than Liberals

Conservatives report more meaning and purpose both in their daily lives and in life more broadly than liberals do.

Character & Context, Society for Personality and Social Psychology

Topics: Meaning Purpose Religiosity

Can Religion Stave Off the Grave?

New research suggests that social behaviors, such as getting involved with a religious organization, can influence how long people live.

Character & Context, Society for Personality and Social Psychology

Topics: Longevity Meaning Religiosity Social Behavior

Emotions Matter More For People’s Life Satisfaction in Religious Than Secular Countries

Emotional experience has a stronger effect on people’s life satisfaction in more secular (less religious) countries, and this pattern occurs for people of different religions.

Character & Context, Society for Personality and Social Psychology

Topics: Emotion Happiness Religiosity

Secularism Is on the Rise, but Americans Are Still Finding Community and Purpose in Spirituality

Where are Americans turning for what religion has traditionally provided?

Vox

Topics: Faith Purpose Religiosity Spirituality