Check out Michael Shermer’s article “Who Believes in God–and Why?” An excerpt:
In sum, being female and raised by religious parents in a large family appears to make one more religious, whereas being male, educated, in conflict with one’s parents, and older appears to make one less religious. As people become older and more educated, they encounter other belief systems that lead them to see the connection between various personal and social influences and religious beliefs. This helps explain the differences we observed in reasons people give for their own beliefs versus the reasons they attribute to other people’s beliefs.
Here’s what he says are the top five reasons people say they believe in God (sorry, you have to work with his awkward syntax here):
1. The good design / natural beauty / perfection / complexity of the world or universe (28.6%)
2. The experience of God in everyday life (20.6%)
3. Belief in God is comforting, relieving, consoling, and gives meaning and purpose to life (10.3%)
4. The Bible says so (9.8%)
5. Just because / faith / the need to believe in something (8.2%)
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Previous Posts
CM's Final Posts: You Can Fill the Space
Eighteen years ago, I wrote an article for a magazine that got me called in for a taped interview with a Fox TV morning news anchor. Being an effective communicator and a skillful public speaker was a dream of mine at the time. And still is.
After some 30 minutes of prep with the station's hair-and-
posted 3:14:59pm Jul. 27, 2007 |
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Websites to Visit, Blogs to Read
Here are some blogs and websites I like. It's not a complete list. But it's a start.
The first is called New Moon Journal and it is written by Michele Bailey-Lessirard, a life coach, collage artist, and "shamanic astrologer." On the opening page of her site, you'll find a little slide show of her am
posted 1:24:03pm Jul. 27, 2007 |
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Still Posted at My Desk
"Take off from here. And don't be so earnest,
let others wear the sackcloth and the ashes.
Let go, let fly, forget.
You've listened long enough. Now strike your note."
From "Station Island," by Seamus Heaney
posted 1:13:33pm Jul. 27, 2007 |
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And Finally, This:
Place your burden
at the feet of the Lord of the Universe
who accomplishes everything.
Remain all the time steadfast in the heart,
in the Transcendental Absolute.
God knows the past, present and future.
He will determine the future for you
and accomplish the work.
What is to be done will be done
at
posted 11:30:38am Jul. 27, 2007 |
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Don't Pierce Your Belly Button
I caught the following conversation between two pretty women in the ladies' room of a Manhattan restaurant. One of the women was pregnant. And she said, "So my acupuncturist made me take the ring out of my belly button."
"Really?" her friend exclaimed.
"Yeah, he said, 'Let's give this baby a chance.
posted 3:04:04pm Jul. 26, 2007 |
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posted September 1, 2006 at 12:10 am
Yes. Let’s assume God made us. Must we return the favor?>
posted September 4, 2006 at 3:17 pm
I would like to believe that God touches everyone’s life the way he has touched mine. How can you not feel him? How can people be so blind? I don’t believe I am a stupid person and just need something to believe in.God gives everyone free will to believe in whomever. I do believe he has touched your life or the question would not be so signigifient.I wish people would stop being so blind and just give God a chance. It’s the most perfect love and brightest light.And actually, it’s just living life without hurting others and helping whomever. Pure love! I wish u could feel it.>
posted September 5, 2006 at 10:02 pm
I shared this with my study group, skeptics all, and their first comments were, “So what’s the sample size? Distribution? Statistically valid?” Tough crowd. I just liked the surprises in the survey. For example, given the growth of Christian conservatives, I thought Bible-based belief wouldv’e been more than 10%. And I was floored by almost 50% attributing their belief to empirical evidence. Most surprising of all: the few comments on this post. ????>
posted September 6, 2006 at 5:42 pm
I know the IS exists. How? I’ve got the cosmic bruises on the back of my head to prove it! WHACK!>