Both atheists and believers: Have you seen this story?

Question

and what is your comment?

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=3e458112-a9b6-4ec9-9a53-32bff67efdd0&k=0

Answer 1

It looks to be a somewhat mainstream press. Therefore, I take whatever it says with a grain of salt. The atheists I've known have been generally more loving than many theists I've encountered.

Answer 2

Interesting. I would agree with the premise that people who are part of a religious group are more aware of certain moral values than people that avoid religion and that religious people would place more vallue on certain moral issues than those that don't have the support and influence of a group that discusses and promotes such ideals on a regular basis.

I would also tend to agree with the criticism of the representative of the Canadian atheist group who suggested that the moral values studied were products of the 10 commandments and other bibilical lessons and as such, that is makes sense that religious people who are exposed to biblical teachings would express stronger feelings about those issues.

I haven't seen the original report from the study (the academic write up not a summary in a news source), thus, I can't access the possible limitations of the study. I think the premise is sound but not universal. I do believe that a belief in God does tend to make people more aware of and more likely to support certain moral values. I also agreed with the premise that our moral values are shaped by our parents and grandparents so even first or second generation atheists are influenced by the religious values of their ancestors.

By the same token, the fact that the researcher was a believer suggests that he framed the study using terminology and concepts related to his beliefs...and this represents a strong possibility of some kind of systematic bias in the results. To assess the magnitude and impact of this bias on the validity of the results, I would need to see a complete description of the methodology (including the actual questionnaire).

Answer 3

Canada. Nuff said.
Just kidding.
1600 people really isn't much of a study in my view, BUT I do have some comments.
1) They had people rank how important the values are, and that says absolutely nothing about how you actually LIVE your life. Sure, politeness is very important- but that didn't stop you from flipping off a guy on the freeway this morning, did it?

2) I don't think morality is an issue of religion at all. Rather religion bases morality on what causes society to function best. No one wants chaos. Example- Thou shalt not steal prevents everyone stealing everything and having general rampant chaos. I think atheists have a more realistic impression of values, and what normal people can live up to- and theists of course value good things- but only out of fear of damnation. They make mistakes just like everyone else.

3. As an atheist, I'm actually politically conservative, I am involved in several social betterment groups and do alot of volunteering. In fact, atheists are a large part of the organizations I belong to.

In short, it is one thing to hold values and quite another to LIVE them.

Answer 4

No, and I don't believe in the story or the information it presented. God and love are entirely different. To some people, they may associate the two together because of their love for god. But I can actually feel a deep, passionate love for someone or something. I have never felt anything from a god. I do hold very high moral and ethical standards that are not religious based and will continue to do so without a god.

Answer 5

That is a very interesting study.. When you read about the "values" that the other scientist said athiests would hold dear, they aren't really values at all. How is critical thinking a value? Because I hold to a Higher Power than myself, I struggle with what it is in my nature to do. If I were an athiest, I would have no problem lying, committing adultery, putting myself first, partying,, cursing, etc. It is in my nature to do those things and I did them all before I was saved. I didn't have a reason not to. As a Christian, I try not to do those things because my belief system tells me it is a sin to do so. It is my religion that makes me honset, faithful, giving, caring, sober in thought and mind, etc. I would be interested to see a study of the prison system and how many hardened criminals claim to be each religion vs. athiests or agnostics. And I am speaking of those that actively practice their faith, not those that claim to be Jewish, Christian, or Muslem because that is their family tradition. Intriguing.

Answer 6

I don't like it. Here's why:

"Justin Trottier, executive director of the Centre for Inquiry Ontario, a Toronto-based atheist group, thinks the problem with Prof. Bibby's survey is with the definition of values. He said the categories in the survey fit in the mould of the Ten Commandments, so a religious person's enthusiastic response to them is not surprising."

That quote from the article suggests that we need more information about how the values were defined in the survey before concluding that religious people value certain beneficial emotions higher than atheists.

Answer 7

Very interesting article.

I would like to know what religion Proffessor Bibby is a part of?

That being said, surveys are quite easily swayed by the way questions are asked.

For instance, If the question; "Is God the originator of Love?" was asked prior to "Is love extremely valuable?".

A higher percentage of Atheists would most likely answer that they didn't think Love was extremely valuable, because they would associate 'love' with a belief that it is associated with God.

Therefor the survey would be tainted by the introduction of religious ideas.

Answer 8

There is a big difference between what people think and what they will report to the data collectors for a study. In particular, *some* believers are likely to lie to make their religion look good. Atheists do not tend to feel pressured into making such lies.

I think the reality is that atheists and believers probably value love as much as the other.

Answer 9

There are lots of studies done like this, proving the same thing. Theists live happier longer lives. They enjoy more fulfilling marriages and rank their sexual lives as more frequent and with more enjoyment than non believers. When you see how God values you [despite your weaknesses] it becomes easier to value others.

Answer 10

it could be that theists are more emotional value oriented than atheists.
It could also mean they think they should be and therefore "inflate" their answer.
It could also be that they are less critical towards themselves.

Hard to tell. Any good survey actually should include questions which test the veracity of the answers and correct for this.