How Religion Can Inoculate Against Radicalism

[Ahimsa]

In a study by Lorelie J. Farmer of Gordon College in Massachusetts, adult subjects discussed their religious experiences as children. The study found that childhood religious experience tended to give individuals increased compassion for others, as measured in psychological rating scales. This helps explain why it would be harder for such people to follow a supremacist ideology that by definition is uncompassionate towards the “out” group.
…
So if one’s parents teach one about, say, Islam—and do so within the context of a relatively comfortable, happy and nurturing childhood—one is likely to derive an association between the wider concept of religion and the pleasant experiences of one’s earlier years. This would then make it harder to embrace an ideology based on hating people of different faiths.

Thus contrary to the insistence of some that religion is inherently divisive and harmful, this research suggests that early-life exposure to moderate forms of religion may be a vital inoculator against the dangers of extremist recruitment.

 

[Marc_Aupiais]

Ahimsa:
Also, extremism involves the effect of breakdown of family.

Islam is not one religion but many groups. Many of my close friends are Muslim.

A Catholic is unlikely to be a creationist: their faith is lived, likewise the faith lived by radicals is different, and the desperate search for meaning in the occult need not be so radical when someone has some meaning. Religion is the pursuit of truth in order to come into touch with obedience!

 

[GaryTaylor]

Teaching and learning unconditional LOVE without the conditioning of incorrect learned behavior is the key. You are what you live and learn. If you grow in violence, are taught violence then you will be violent. You reap what you sow. If you are taught racism you will be racist. Of course through education comes knowledge and through knowledge comes truth. Many are capible of finding their way through their own behavior issues. However you cannot do this until you realize there is an issue.

There are many Serial Killers incarcerated who have children who were raised in a completely different enviroment. Thus their behavior was not genetic. Hitlers family lives here secluded living “normal” live’s. Whatever normal mean’s, in thier case its within the guidelines of the US Laws.

We have a moral philosophy to live by. When its an inconvenience to us then we chose to live in our ego. Unfortunate this is projected on to others. Worst case senerio is the preconceived behavioral issues projected on to children which is constantly drummed into their minds.

Peace

 

[1voice]

Ahimsa:
This will be disquieting to many of my secular humanist acquaintances.