How Religion Exploits Human Emotional Needs To Lure Us Into the Church
Psychiatrist Explains Mankind’s Vulnerability to Supernatural Beliefs
Have you ever wondered why catholic priests are called “Father,” nuns are “sister” or “mother” and the Pope is allegedly the “Holy Father” of us all?
It’s called “kin psychology,” says psychiatrist J. Anderson Thomson Jr. of the University of Virginia, and it’s one way the church implicitly (or explicitly) generates the emotional attachment of its flock.
Since time immemorial, humankind has favored kin over strangers. In fact, kin psychology may represent one of our deepest, most primordial survival mechanisms. It begins with the attachment of the newborn to its mother and harks back to primitive folk living in caves where the kinship attachment was the difference between survival and being killed by a warring tribe.
So is it an accident that the church represents itself as kinfolk? Dr. Thomson thinks not. It is one of the many ways that religion has appealed to deep human emotional needs to lure people into the church.
Analyzed Suicide Terrorism
Dr. Thomson has a private practice of general psychiatry and forensic psychiatry in Charlottesville VA, as well as serving as a staff psychiatrist at the University of Virginia’s Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy and the Counseling and Psychological Services of the University of Virginia Student Health Services.
Dr. Thomson is also known for his dynamic speech on suicide terrorism at the 2007 Atheist Alliance International convention in Washington, DC—now dubbed “the Woodstock of Atheism”—where he gave a cutting-edge talk on how religion convinces people to become suicide bombers.
At the NYC Atheists brunch on Sunday, November 8, Dr. Thomson will discuss why human minds generate and accept religious beliefs.
Church Exploits Emotional Needs
Humans, he notes, are vulnerable to the generation of religious beliefs “because these beliefs arise from normal cognitive mechanisms that are in our brain but which were originally designed for other purposes.” The kinship mechanism, for example, which originally evolved for survival purposes, has been hijacked by religion to enhance the church’s appeal and control its flock.
Come on Sunday and hear Dr. Thomson’s fascinating dissection of what draws people into the influence and protection of the church. Find out how to avoid the emotional traps that religion uses to pull in its needy and vulnerable followers. With knowledge, analysis and inner strength, humans can resist the pull of the promises and seductions of religion, says Dr Thomson.
EVENT SUMMARY
WHAT: “The Psychology of Religion: Why We Believe
IN GOD" BY Dr. J. Anderson Thomson, well- known psychiatrist and analyst
on how religion creates suicide terrorists.
WHEN: Sunday, November 8, at 12 noon.
WHERE: Press Box Restaurant and Pub
932 Second Ave. (bet. 49th & 50th Streets)
COST: Brunch, $20.( Includes selection of Buffett entrees and salad,
one soft drink, coffee, tax, and tip. We
highly recommend going
back for seconds of the delicious Eggs
Benedict.
“ Andy's talk was prescient and engaging. I had an excellent time. ”
“ Dr. Thomson, a dynamic speaker, confirmed scientifically that Man invented god. ”
KENNETH BRONSTEIN (+10 guests)“ DR. THOMSON WAS GREAT ONE OF BEDT SPEAKER WE EVER HAD. ANOTHER STANDING ROOM EVENT ”
“ Dr. Thompson is a brilliant scientist and eloquent speaker! His talk on the psychology of religion was the best presentation on that subject I've heard. Another superb brunch and lecture with the friendly people of NYC Atheists! ”
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