as an very committed atheist, I agree: whatever worked for you man. No need to be too judgmental and purist, he could believe it was the tooth fairy who saved him, idc. Bouncing back and living a decent life is more important than getting rid of all your delusions. 🫶🌈
Except multiple studies have shown correlation of fantastical beliefs(religious beliefs) and a reduced capacity for logical thinking. And it makes sense. If you allow yourself to believe in something that violates every law of physics just to get through the day, you're going to be more susceptible to scammers, conspiracy theories, and grifters. There's a reason MAGA pushing Christianity so much.
look, I know that's true. However it is an arrogant and patronizing position to apply only the highest standards and intellectual purity regardless of a person's very specific life story. Nobody is perfect, and I'll take a kind, loving, friendly, socially involved religious person over a Machiavellian, self-serving, cold-hearted atheist any day.
I know quite a few religious people who are kind and "good" people, despite their delusions. Finding religion was a matter of survival for them, and I think net-net they bring more positive into the world.
On a fundamental level - sure, idealy we should overcome Religion one day.
Just to make the point, those studies do nothing to note how that thinking is applied. I know many very intelligent and analytical Christians (well educated, jobs that require critical thinking, etc). They mostly fall somewhere between very and incredibly liberal politically. Strongly believe in things like therapy (proper secular therapy, not religious "therapy"), doctors, etc.
While I'm not disagreeing with the overall trend, painting with that broad of a brush is always a mistake.
This guy improved his life. We shouldn’t prevent or discourage some from improving their life because you think they’ll be stupider.
Sorry to be that guy but why did this have to become political? Okay, he ‘found god’ and got sober. You can’t see anything positive in that because now he is dumber based on a study and may become a Trump guy? You need to get away from the doomer shit for a few minutes.
If you’re going to cite a study, cite it too, yeah? Like especially if your take is basically he’s better off an addict than a believer who has a ‘reduced capacity for logical thinking’. I’d bet the booze didn’t exactly expand his capacity for logical thinking either.
Edit to add; I’m sorry, it was HEROIN. He’s probably better off doing heroin rather than that dreaded ‘reduced capacity for logical thinking’.
8
u/Ok_Actuary8 6d ago
as an very committed atheist, I agree: whatever worked for you man. No need to be too judgmental and purist, he could believe it was the tooth fairy who saved him, idc. Bouncing back and living a decent life is more important than getting rid of all your delusions. 🫶🌈