"But the original question as, "Why is there still religion?" and the data above show that religion satisfies some important human needs about knowing who we are; why we are here; what will happen to us after we die; how to feel safety, love, and fellowship, and so on. These things logic and science do not do, at least not nearly as well. We would, as scientists, actually find some joy, happiness, and comfort in science's "poor showing." Science is not supposed to be emotional but objective, dispassionate, and even-handed. (We hope that the reader who has gotten to the end of this book is not surprised to hear us say this.) If some scientific theories or discoveries are "beautiful" (such as relativity); or "thrilling" (such as the genetic code), that is pure gravy. The endeavor is based in the cerebral cortex, not the adrenal glands. But as "Star Trek"'s Dr. McCoy kept telling Mr. Spock, human emotions undeniably enrich our lives and often govern us. They make us irrational at times, they may cause much of our worst as well as our best behavior. But to ignore them and their role in human enterprise- "That would be illogical.""
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
p. 247
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Bob_Altemeyer
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Bob Altemeyer
Robert Anthony Altemeyer (6 June 1940 – 7 February 2024), also known as Bob Altemeyer, was a retired Professor of Psychology at the University of Manitoba. Altemeyer also produced the Right-Wing Authoritarianism Scale (or RWA Scale), as well as the related Left-Wing Authoritarianism Scale (or LWA Scale). His son is w:Rob Altemeyer.
40 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Bob Altemeyer →
Related Quotes
"If you think our countries could never elect an Adolf Hitler to power, note that David Duke would have become governo…"
"I am now writing the last page in my last book about authoritarianism. So, for the last time, I do not think a fascis…"
"Think back on your own past. What did you do when questions arose about religion? Some questions probably came up. "I…"
"Eleanor's questions caused some anxiety, since "you are taught that you have to go this way or you'll go to hell." Ne…"
"Eleanor now considers herself an agnostic, having stopped thinking of herself as a Lutheran in a religious sense when…"
"Could it be that the more parents and clergy stress religion to a child, the more likely the child will feel guilt or…"
"Often one person can steel another, and another and another, until many are working together. You don’t have to form …"
"Our studies have focused upon the religious decisions made by college freshmen both because they are a convenient gro…"
"It probably takes considerable courage to turn your back on your background, your family, and your friends and join a…"
"Sometimes, when I tell people that I study authoritarian personalities, they say things like, "Oh, you mean neo-Nazis…"