Does god make you violent?

[vbloke]

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=2983119

Does believing that "god is on our side" make it easier for us to inflict pain on those perceived to be our enemies? If we think god sanctions violence, are we more likely to engage in violent acts? The answer to both those questions, according to new research, is a resounding "yes," even among those who do not consider themselves believers.

[Jocky]

Scary stuff. However, I feel the methodology could have been improved upon.

Reading through the article, it occured to me that the experiment lacked an important control, to test whether it is the condoning of violence (from any source of authority) which encourages aggression, rather than the blessing of a divine authority specifically.

I think there should have been a third version of the sample text, where the violence was condoned by a secular authority figure (perhaps a judge, or similar). As it stands, I'm not sure the experiment can distinguish between the arrogance of faith and more general self-righteousness.

It would also have been interesting to see if there was any significant difference between the believers and the skeptics when any mention of God was removed.

[Admin]

Reading through the article, it occured to me that the experiment lacked an important control, to test whether it is the condoning of violence (from any source of authority) which encourages aggression, rather than the blessing of a divine authority specifically.

I thought that too. Stanley Milgrom's experiments on obedience to authority spring to mind.

It may just be that we are prepared to inflict punishment on others especially if we have 'permission' from an authority whether real or imagined.

[vbloke]

I thought that too. Stanley Milgrom's experiments on obedience to authority spring to mind.

It may just be that we are prepared to inflict punishment on others especially if we have 'permission' from an authority whether real or imagined.


That was my first thought - although it would be interesting to note the differences between the Milgrom experiment, where the authority figure was human and a divine one.

[median]

That was my first thought - although it would be interesting to note the differences between the Milgrom experiment, where the authority figure was human and a divine one.


Indeed. In the context of the Milgram experiment there was a definable figure on which one could transfer the blame but the guidance was constant . In religious violence it may be the case of seeking justification 'after the fact'