"There was little serious investigation of the psychological structure or neurological and biological underpinnings of religious belief that determine how religion actually causes behavior. And that’s a problem if science aims to produce knowledge that improves the human condition, including a lessening of cultural conflict and war. (...) Time and again, countries go to war without understanding the transcendent drives and dreams of adversaries who see a very different world. (...) Although this sacralization of initially secular issues confounds standard “business-like” negotiation tactics, my work with political scientist Robert Axelrod interviewing political leaders in the Middle East and elsewhere indicates that strong symbolic gestures (sincere apologies, demonstrating respect for the other’s values) generate surprising flexibility, even among militants, and may enable subsequent material negotiations. Thus, we find that Palestinian leaders and their supporting populations are generally willing to accept Israeli offers of economic improvement only after issues of recognition are addressed. (...) This is particularly promising because symbolic gestures tied to religious notions that are open to interpretation might potentially be reframed without compromising their absolute “truth.” (...)" - Amira

"Historical and experimental studies suggest that the more antagonistic a group’s neighborhood, the more tightly that group will cling to its sacred values and rituals. (...) This dynamic is behind the paradoxical reality that the world finds itself in today: Modern global multiculturalism is increasingly challenged by fundamentalist movements aimed at reviving group loyalty through greater ritual commitments to ideological purity. So why does it matter that we have moved past the -isms and into an era of greater religiosity? In an age where religious and sacred causes are resurgent, there is urgent need for scientific effort to understand them. (...) Policymakers should leverage scientific understanding of what makes religion so potent a force for both cooperation and conflict, to help increase the one and lessen the other.” - Amira

For starters, how about paying attention to *existing* serious investigation that rebuts the presumption: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki... - Bruce Lewis

See also: Scott Atran on Why War Is Never Really Rational http://ff.im/AwaEY - Amira

Looking at Scot Atran's research - http://rspb.royalsocietypublis... - I find it hard to imagine a better example of bad research. Survey Israeli settlers and ask, "If your settlement were dismantled as part of a peace agreement and you engaged in violent response, would you be doing so (a) because you're mad about losing your home or (b) because some higher moral force compels you to?" What useful data will you get? - Bruce Lewis

People are bad enough at telling you why they do what they actually do. Asking them why they might do something in a hypothetical situation is hopeless. In contrast, Robert Pape's research examines what people actually did and crunches numbers. Surveying people only collects their pretenses, not their real motives. - Bruce Lewis