Blog #111--Some Religions Are Not Improving Altruism

Religions are assumed to improve one’s moral development and concern for others, but it appears the opposite may be true. Reporting for yahoo.com recently, Rachel Grumman Bender shared the results of University of Chicago research on children and their tendency toward altruism, which is defined as “unselfish concern for the welfare of others.”

Lead researcher Jean Decety describes her results in the journal “Current Biology”: “Our findings contradict the common sense and popular assumption that children from religious households are more altruistic and kind toward others. In our study, kids from atheist and nonreligious families were, in fact, more generous.”

The study involved more than 1000 children aged 5-12 from the United States, Canada, China, Jordan, South Africa and Turkey. Those claiming religious backgrounds were predominately Christian and Muslim since there were too few children in the study from other religions to have statistical significance. Religious children were less likely to share with others and more likely to desire harsh punishments for poor behavior than nonreligious children.

Decety summarized her findings: “Together, these results reveal the similarity across countries in how religion negatively influences children’s altruism. They challenge the view that religiosity facilitates pro-social behavior, and call into question whether religion is vital for moral development—suggesting the secularization of moral discourse does not reduce human kindness. In fact, it does just the opposite.”

I’m sure many people will question this study’s findings. After all, their religions are being attacked and discredited, so they will react defensively. But there may indeed be valid reasons for these results. I can think of a few of them, and I’m sure there are others as well.

One concept leaps immediately to mind. Those who are attracted to religion are followers who seek authority figures to help them feel more secure as they face life’s daily challenges. Followers tend to be indirect and draw energy to them rather than give it out. In other words, their instinctive tendency is to be selfish and separate from others. In contrast, nonreligious people and atheists may be more direct, more self-confident, less selfish and thus more willing to give of themselves to help others.

Also, many places of worship have leaders who preach fear and hate as much or more than love for their fellow man. Those who are naturally fearful are especially afraid of dying, and their religions promise them eternal bliss in exchange for devotion to their teachings. The threat of eternal damnation enhances the fear already present, making parishioners draw as much energy to them as possible to protect themselves from enemies, real or imagined. This is an opposite behavior from giving to others with no thought of receiving an equal measure in return.

Another possible reason why some religious people are not altruistic is their preference for claiming superiority over others. They want a religion they can brag about to friend and foe, one that can promise eternal salvation as well as a lifetime of happiness and success. Their egos need to believe they are better than other people’s egos, so they compete for which religion is best. This is the primary reason for the many religious wars fought over the centuries. It is also a valid reason why those who are part of this fight (on all sides) are unwilling to give anything to a potential enemy.

What appears obvious to me is that some of us are born more naturally moral and altruistic than others. It isn’t necessarily the absence of religion in their lives that makes them more altruistic. Rather, less altruistic people are more attracted to religions that reinforce fear and negative thoughts. And those with a great deal of moral development likely trust their own inner guidance more than the preaching of religious leaders.

Another part of the study proved that religious children continue to become less and less altruistic as they get older. Not surprisingly, religious parents of the children in the above study were convinced their children were more altruistic and giving than nonreligious children. Obviously, they are less able to help their children develop more empathy for the needs of others when they don’t think it is necessary.

Many of us look to our religions to help create peace in the world, to relieve our pain and suffering and to be our salvation. If this study is accurate, perhaps we need to be less dependent upon religion and more willing to think for ourselves so we can develop more confidence and personal security. That way, we are more likely to find it in our hearts to share our bounty with the less fortunate. Isn't that what spiritual people do?

Of course, religions could play an important positive role if only they would stop trying to prove themselves superior to others, stop preaching fear and punishment, and start reaching out to help anyone regardless of their religious background. After all, our actions determine our true nature.

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