Religion and Prosociality
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2016 |
| Type | Chapter of a book |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | The relationship between religion and morality is far more complicated than one might expect. The challenges of defining, operationalizing, and measuring both religion and morality require a fractionating approach. This approach involves examining various aspects of the problem separately and then trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together to look at the broader picture rather than relying on isolated studies. Furthermore, the observed discrepancy between self-reported and actual behavior demonstrates additional problems with measuring socially desirable traits like religion and morality. A careful look at the available evidence shows that religious people are no more or less moral than non-believers, despite what they often report, and in the face of widespread popular assumptions and stereotypes. Although religious disposition plays little role in moral behavior, religious situation can exert significant influence on it. Religious concepts, contexts, and practices can independently influence social conduct, and their interaction can make religion a powerful social force. This force can be used for better or for worse, either directed toward building cohesive communities and increasing in-group cooperation or producing hostility and suspicion toward out-groups. |
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