Perspicuo
Veteran Member
Does Belief in God Cause More Self Control? | Through the Wormhole
Scorching hugs,
Your friendly neighborhood Devil's Advocate
Scorching hugs,
Your friendly neighborhood Devil's Advocate
Now lets serve vinegar and orange juice in place of wine in Church on Sundays along with crushed dried beetles instead of bread and see how it all goes down.
It's the Princess Alice effect. Too lazy to google it.I suggest that the belief that you need a supernatural judge to be watching for self-control increases self control. Religious culture produces religious dependence.
If you're not conscientious and self-aware enough to control yourself without believing someone's watching, then I guess you need to be tricked into believing someone (besides you) is watching so you won't behave like a mongrel.
Isn't that what theistic religions teach from a very young age? "God is watching," kind of thing? And that they'll be punished by this omniscient judge for not behaving? What else would you expect a culture deep in religious belief to produce? What if they were taught that they themselves are their own "higher power" and taught that they can indeed depend on themselves to be good if they are willing to self reflect and question?
If you're not stupid and unaware, you might realize that YOU are watching what you do and can possibly make conscientious choices without having to be manipulated into it.
If the reason you are controlling yourself is external, then you are not really controlling yourself, the external entity is.
If the reason you are controlling yourself is external, then you are not really controlling yourself, the external entity is.
Unless the "external" reason is internalized. In fact, "External locus of control" is an internal state of the subject, and impinges upon the person's behavior. In similar fashion, your internalized mother, God, "fatherland", etc, all imagined figments (even if some have a degree of real memories associated with them, such as mother), contribute with decision making.
Unless the "external" reason is internalized. In fact, "External locus of control" is an internal state of the subject, and impinges upon the person's behavior. In similar fashion, your internalized mother, God, "fatherland", etc, all imagined figments (even if some have a degree of real memories associated with them, such as mother), contribute with decision making.
True. I just hate to say "this Christian is acting morally because he decided to". I'd rather say "this Christian is acting morally because his imaginary friend is threatening him with eternal suffering".
If the reason you are controlling yourself is external, then you are not really controlling yourself, the external entity is.
True. I just hate to say "this Christian is acting morally because he decided to". I'd rather say "this Christian is acting morally because his imaginary friend is threatening him with eternal suffering".
When I get up most mornings and review my day, murder, rape, robbery, etc are not on my list of things to do, even though all are quite within my power and ability. I share this experience with most of the citizens I know.
If I say "This atheist is acting morally because the state of Louisiana will hunt him down and fill his veins with a toxic chemical, if he doesn't," is this person any better than the Christian, or for that matter, any different?
If the reason you are controlling yourself is external, then you are not really controlling yourself, the external entity is.
If the reason is external, the control is still internal.
My oldest son had an annoying habit.
I told him to stop, he said, "I can't! It's beyond my control!"
I told him i'd punch him in the balls next time he did it.
Turns out, it was under his control.
Internal control mastered the habit. Even if the motivation for that self-control was an external threat.
When I get up most mornings and review my day, murder, rape, robbery, etc are not on my list of things to do, even though all are quite within my power and ability. I share this experience with most of the citizens I know.
If I say "This atheist is acting morally because the state of Louisiana will hunt him down and fill his veins with a toxic chemical, if he doesn't," is this person any better than the Christian, or for that matter, any different?
Nope.
The person who is acting morally because it's the right thing to do is better than the person who is acting morally because they have to.
Nope.
The person who is acting morally because it's the right thing to do is better than the person who is acting morally because they have to.
Why does this better person think it is right to act morally?
If the reason you are controlling yourself is external, then you are not really controlling yourself, the external entity is.
If the reason you are controlling yourself is external, then you are not really controlling yourself, the external entity is.
God would have to be real for your explanation to be meaningful.
Nope.
The person who is acting morally because it's the right thing to do is better than the person who is acting morally because they have to.
Why does this better person think it is right to act morally?