Pew Forum Stats – Women Are More Religious Than Men

Hello All,

Sorry the blog has been a bit slower lately, I’ve been very busy enjoying life. 

However, I thought you’d be interested in this article/study, by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, which essentially states that women (in the US) are approximately 12% more religious than men, in a variety of religious/spiritual categories.

Check out the article here – http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=403

 

CCD,

Ben

Guest Post by Jeremy Pellani – “The Religious Paradox”

So, I’ve played around with this idea, “the religious paradox.” Its the problem of believing in something while believing in the goodness of others to choose for themselves what to believe. This is at the core of our ideals of democracy and equality. I have a hard time believing something without believing that others with opposing view points are wrong. What’s more, I know I’m likely wrong about a great many things. For me, my best guess appears true even though I’ve seen it change. It reminds me of a poem by Kurt Vonnegut from Cat‘s Cradle: 

Tiger got to hunt,

bird got to fly;

Man got to sit and wonder,

“Why, why, why?”

Tiger got to sleep,

bird got to land;

Man got to tell himself he understand.

 

I believe all of us find resting places for our thoughts. These may appear like finished truth to but they are, in fact, just a working hypothesis.

 

There is a natural tension between respecting others beliefs and being a strong advocate for one’s beliefs. Not all beliefs are proved by reason. Some are believed by the quality of a feeling, some believe because they were told by an authority they trust. You may think feelings not legitimate to discern truth; but think if reason can be driven by feelings as well. Is proved to me by looking at my own thoughts and feelings. My reason is driven by motive. Perhaps you can find proof of this in your own thoughts and feelings.

 

Faith adds a special dimension to this hence the “religious“ paradox.  Faith is a kind of commitment to a set of “truths”. Almost by definition, one with faith believes that they are right in their world view, possibly even absolutely right. I’ve had faith and talked to other people of other faiths. Often, I get the feeling that they are waiting for me to come around to their point of view. Its like, “I am right and you can be right to if you agree with me, otherwise you are wrong and need more time before you can realize the truth.” I cannot have these conversations any more. They seem worthless.

For the record I am not asking others to give up their beliefs; nor, would I like to give up mine. I am asking them to recognize that they only can know part of the truth and I know another part. When faith requires one to believe absolutely, to do this is a paradox.

 

Let me know what you think. I love the diversity of opinion on this blog.  Thanks Ben for letting me guest post,

                                                      Jeremy Pellani