Study: Less Religious Are More Motivated By Compassion Than Highly Religious
May 1, 2012
by Eyder Peralta
Are religious people more moved by compassion than those who described themselves as less religious or non-religious?
A group of scientists at the University of California, Berkeley set out to answer that question and what they found would surprise some: In three experiments, the social scientists found that the less religious were more generous when presented with situations that stimulated their compassion, which the scientists defined as "an emotion felt when people see the suffering of others which then motivates them to help, often at a personal risk or cost."
Read the entire report here.
8 comments:
I have finished reading most of the book Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas. Bonhoeffer stood up against Hitler, literally, regarding the exclusion of Jewish people throughout the church (converts), and the country/society. It was a bold stance, while surrounded by "Christians" who simply did not have the guts, the "true discipleship"(Bonhoeffer's term), to do what was right. And the reputation of the church went down, down, down.
This stance cost Bonhoeffer his life - literally.
I think Bonhoeffer would say that the absence of compassion and action is the inevitable result of watered-down beliefs.
This much I know -- your values are revealed in what you do...
This is sobering for those of us who think religion should make us more attuned to the needs of our fellows rather than less. In the end, though, I guess what matters, as Randy says, is what you do. So even if the religiously minded have to think it through more, and it is not as much a gut response, as long as they get there, i.e. acting on their beliefs, then so be it.
However, my concern is with those whose belief systems seem to lead them toward apathy, or even downright hostility, towards those who are less fortunate. Instead of ever getting to the point of wanting to help, they just come up with some moral blame to lay at the feet of the one in need which allows them to pass by on the far side of the road. Sadly, religion here would have had the opposite effect I believe God intended: an excuse not to help your fellow. I guess that's why "judge not ..." is such an important aspect of Christianity, even if sometimes honored more in the breach than the observance.
Ken
Dallas
Whether one gives out of compassion or not, the fact remains that religious people give more to charity than nonreligious.
Also, the study is flawed by asking the subjects how compassionate they feel the first thing because they then feel like they need to live up to expectations.
Another point is--why would anyone trust Berkeley. They would go out of the way to try to show religious people in a bad light.
"the fact remains that religious people give more to charity than nonreligious"
Perhaps true, but that giving is mostly to churches. Since the givers sit in the pews and partake in the church's classes and programs, they are essentially giving to themselves, like paying dues. Little of that money makes its way outside the church.
Discredits the premise for me "A group of scientists at the University of California, Berkeley"
Studies support the fact that religious people give more to charities outside the church than. nonreligious. This could be due to the fact that the nonreligious generally tend to believe that government should pay in spite of higher taxes.
Cheap grace is paid for by tax dollars.
Studies indicate that most University of California, Berkley Scientists are atheists. Therefore,their considered judgement on Christian charitable giving is a figment of their politics.
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