Internal vs External perspective

[I_am_not_mafia]

I'm starting to see a pattern here between theists and atheists.

Theists are more likely to believe in an objective morality that exists external to themselves. Atheists are more likely to believe that morality derives from a set of evolved instincts and therefore comes from within.

On the thread 'Open discussion of the Christian Why We're Here thread' the theists were arguing that there is a meaning to life that exists beyond our own lives whereas the atheists were arguing that we each need to apply our own meaning to our own lives and not have it applied to us externally.

I also noticed that many of the atheists often had relatively low scores on the test in the 'Empathy Quotient' thread. Only one theist took the test so we can't make a comparison. Note that I am NOT saying that atheists lack empathy and theists have it in abundance, there are certainly some theists on this site that demonstrate otherwise. But I have noticed in the past that some people are more inward focused and wrapped up in their own thoughts, feelings and introspection whereas others are more focused on their external senses such as how they appear to others.

I am wondering if being more externally focused actually makes you more susceptible to a religious upbringing imposed on you externally because you will be more greatly aware of the effects of not conforming socially. Whereas those of a more introspective nature will be more keen to think things through themselves regardless of the social cost.

A difference in perspective, between inward and external, could be a common pattern differentiating keen theists and staunch atheists.

[Little Rik]

I'm starting to see a pattern here between theists and atheists.

Theists are more likely to believe in an objective morality that exists external to themselves. Atheists are more likely to believe that morality derives from a set of evolved instincts and therefore comes from within.

On the thread 'Open discussion of the Christian Why We're Here thread' the theists were arguing that there is a meaning to life that exists beyond our own lives whereas the atheists were arguing that we each need to apply our own meaning to our own lives and not have it applied to us externally.

I also noticed that many of the atheists often had relatively low scores on the test in the 'Empathy Quotient' thread. Only one theist took the test so we can't make a comparison. Note that I am NOT saying that atheists lack empathy and theists have it in abundance, there are certainly some theists on this site that demonstrate otherwise. But I have noticed in the past that some people are more inward focused and wrapped up in their own thoughts, feelings and introspection whereas others are more focused on their external senses such as how they appear to others.

I am wondering if being more externally focused actually makes you more susceptible to a religious upbringing imposed on you externally because you will be more greatly aware of the effects of not conforming socially. Whereas those of a more introspective nature will be more keen to think things through themselves regardless of the social cost.

A difference in perspective, between inward and external, could be a common pattern differentiating keen theists and staunch atheists.

Please let me correct your point when you say...............Theists are more likely to believe in an objective morality that exists external to themselves........

I rather would say............Religious theists are more likely to believe in an objective morality that exists external to themselves..........

Atheists unfortunately got a problem in not understanding the difference that there is between spirituality and religion.
In that way they mix different things in the same pot that of course shouldn't be mixed especially in this case as morality in spirituality exist internally not externally.  






(Color mine)

[The Grand Nudger]

IDK but I did get that 80/80 and have no trouble seeing external meaning or accepting moral realism.... and I'm probably the last person anyone would think of as being susceptible to religion or a religious upbringing.

[brewer]

Theists seem to get more life satisfaction as being part of a collective group than as an individual. Yes, theists have a greater need to be a part of something outside themselves for esteem and satisfaction.

[The Grand Nudger]

While strangely being very, very self centric.  It;s worth noting (in ref to the op) that alot of those comments depend upon relying on how believers report or communicate themselves.....which may not be accurate, and may..in fact, be entirely opposite the fact of the matter in question.

[I_am_not_mafia]

Please let me correct your point when you say...............Theists are more likely to believe in an objective morality that exists external to themselves........

I rather would say............Religious theists are more likely to believe in an objective morality that exists external to themselves..........

Interesting. So are you saying that theists who are not part of a religion are less likely to believe in an objective morality?

Could the religious theists therefore be having a morality imposed upon them by organised religion?

[Catholic_Lady]

I'm starting to see a pattern here between theists and atheists.

Theists are more likely to believe in an objective morality that exists external to themselves. Atheists are more likely to believe that morality derives from a set of evolved instincts and therefore comes from within.

On the thread 'Open discussion of the Christian Why We're Here thread' the theists were arguing that there is a meaning to life that exists beyond our own lives whereas the atheists were arguing that we each need to apply our own meaning to our own lives and not have it applied to us externally.

I also noticed that many of the atheists often had relatively low scores on the test in the 'Empathy Quotient' thread. Only one theist took the test so we can't make a comparison. Note that I am NOT saying that atheists lack empathy and theists have it in abundance, there are certainly some theists on this site that demonstrate otherwise. But I have noticed in the past that some people are more inward focused and wrapped up in their own thoughts, feelings and introspection whereas others are more focused on their external senses such as how they appear to others.

I am wondering if being more externally focused actually makes you more susceptible to a religious upbringing imposed on you externally because you will be more greatly aware of the effects of not conforming socially. Whereas those of a more introspective nature will be more keen to think things through themselves regardless of the social cost.

A difference in perspective, between inward and external, could be a common pattern differentiating keen theists and staunch atheists.

Actually introspection and empathy tend to go together. If you are self aware, good at being in tune with your thoughts, and have a good understanding of your feelings, chances are you'll be good at relating to, identifying, and empathizing with other people's thoughts and feelings. There's even a single term for this. It's called emotional intelligence, and it encompasses both introspection and empathy as part of the same thing. The more sociopathic a person is, the more they lack emotional intelligence.      

I don't think emotional intelligence plays a role in whether or not a person believes in God. A person can be incredibly in tune with themselves and still believe that morality is an objective thing, and that there's more out there beyond just the material.

[Little Rik]

Please let me correct your point when you say...............Theists are more likely to believe in an objective morality that exists external to themselves........

I rather would say............Religious theists are more likely to believe in an objective morality that exists external to themselves..........

Interesting. So are you saying that theists who are not part of a religion are less likely to believe in an objective morality?

Could the religious theists therefore be having a morality imposed upon them by organised religion?

The main bulk of a religious theist morality come from their religion so that is an external approach.
I say the main part because a little bit may also come from internal feeling.

Theists who follow spirituality instead follow the opposite which means that the main bulk come from within and in small small part from outside which is the guru teachings.
In fact spirituality is 99% or so practice and 1% or less theory while in religion practice most time equal to asking God for something which of course lead nowhere.  

The difference is enormous that is why you should know what is the difference between religion and spirituality in order to make the correct judgement.  

[ignoramus]

Mat, I'm thinking the variables are too many to try to form a connection.

Belief in God could be totally inconsequential to any of the above.
Your culture, country, skepticism/gullibility, general intelligence, narcissism, peer pressure, social standing, etc all ultimately have the final say.

[I_am_not_mafia]

Mat, I'm thinking the variables are too many to try to form a connection.

Belief in God could be totally inconsequential to any of the above.
Your culture, country, skepticism/gullibility, general intelligence, narcissism, peer pressure, social standing, etc all ultimately have the final say.

Agreed. I wasn't wondering whether it was a cause, but one common characteristic of many.