Posted on 03/16/2005 4:43:34 PM PST by Maria S
Genes may help determine how religious a person is, suggests a new study of US twins. And the effects of a religious upbringing may fade with time.
Until about 25 years ago, scientists assumed that religious behaviour was simply the product of a person's socialisation - or "nurture". But more recent studies, including those on adult twins who were raised apart, suggest genes contribute about 40% of the variability in a person's religiousness.
But it is not clear how that contribution changes with age. A few studies on children and teenagers - with biological or adoptive parents - show the children tend to mirror the religious beliefs and behaviours of the parents with whom they live. That suggests genes play a small role in religiousness at that age.
Now, researchers led by Laura Koenig, a psychology graduate student at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, US, have tried to tease apart how the effects of nature and nurture vary with time. Their study suggests that as adolescents grow into adults, genetic factors become more important in determining how religious a person is, while environmental factors wane.
Religious discussions The team gave questionnaires to 169 pairs of identical twins - 100% genetically identical - and 104 pairs of fraternal twins - 50% genetically identical - born in Minnesota.
The twins, all male and in their early 30s, were asked how often they currently went to religious services, prayed, and discussed religious teachings. This was compared with when they were growing up and living with their families. Then, each participant answered the same questions regarding their mother, father, and their twin.
The twins believed that when they were younger, all of their family members - including themselves - shared similar religious behaviour. But in adulthood, however, only the identical twins reported maintaining that similarity. In contrast, fraternal twins were about a third less similar than they were as children.
"That would suggest genetic factors are becoming more important and growing up together less important," says team member Matt McGue, a psychologist at the University of Minnesota.
Empty nests Michael McCullough, a psychologist at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, US, agrees. "To a great extent, you can't be who you are when you're living under your parents' roof. But once you leave the nest, you can begin to let your own preferences and dispositions shape your behaviour," he told New Scientist.
"Maybe, ultimately, we all decide what we're most comfortable with, and it may have more to do with our own makeup than how we were treated when we were adolescents," says McGue.
About a dozen studies have shown that religious people tend to share other personality traits, although it is not clear whether these arise from genetic or environmental factors. These include the ability to get along well with others and being conscientious, working hard, being punctual, and controlling one's impulses.
But McGue says the new work suggests that being raised in a religious household may affect a person's long-term psychological state less than previously thought. But he says the influence from this early socialisation may re-emerge later on, when the twins have families of their own. He also points out that the finding may not be universal because the research focused on a single population of US men.
This isn't science, it's quackery.
Unmitigated bullsqueeze!
I think the reason people generally hate statistics or any mention of statistical methods is that the discipline is shown daily to be the tool-of-trade of people with an agenda.
Moral Absolutes Ping.
They keep trying to make it seem as though belief in God is based on the flesh. This will give those who want to escape and hide from God an acceptable alibi - "My genes made me do it".
Imagine making the claim that religious people are happier, more well-behaved, kinder, more responsible, or whatever as a result of genes! They want to remove every bit of free will and individual responsibility from the human race. First they want to remove God and anything that could conceivably remind anyone of God from the public sphere. Now they want to turn humans into robotic animals.
I don't believe in God because of my genes; I believe in God because I was thirsty for the truth, and the Truth showed me, out of His endless mercy, that He exists.
Let me know if anyone wants (back)on/off this pinglist.
P.S. There was a "study" like this a while ago, done by a "gay" researcher who had failed at finding a "gay" gene. I wonder if this is the same one. If anyone knows, put it up.
Beat me by *that much*
This is ridiculous.
An atheist can change beliefs and it has NOTHING to do with "genes". Truly "science" is getting more and more absurd. It's no wonder the U.S. is BEHIND, worldwide in the field of science.
I will wait for second opinions. I am sure this will cange soon.
Is it only me, that it feels more like the rehashed justification for convicted criminals' behaviours that "I can't help it - I don't know why but I was compelled to do this."
Empty nests Michael McCullough, a psychologist at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, US, agrees. "To a great extent, you can't be who you are when you're living under your parents' roof. But once you leave the nest, you can begin to let your own preferences and dispositions shape your behaviour," he told New Scientist.
Well duh! It took a "study" to figure that one?
"About a dozen studies have shown that religious people tend to share other personality traits, although it is not clear whether these arise from genetic or environmental factors. These include the ability to get along well with others and being conscientious, working hard, being punctual, and controlling one's impulses."
This one is funny also. What came first, the chicken or the egg? Religious beliefs (Judeo-Christian) inculcate this type of behavior - it goes along with believing that God is watching what you do. This really doesn't show anything. Will "conscientious, etc." people tend to gravitate towards being religious, or will being religious cause the person to behave in this manner?
I certainly hope this study wasn't funded with tax money.
I don' know if you are involved in science, but you've just hit the nail squarely on the head. The last time I judged a middle school science fair, there were very few exhibits that dealt with science. It was very sad.
This research on genes contributing to religious inclinations is the worst kind of voodoo science obviously defined by a timely political agenda. There is another one of these religion haters named Matthew Alper who believes that there is a "God part" of the human brain that makes people believe in God. His hatred of religious people, however, is very transparent.
Muleteam1
Is Calvinism correct after all, those predestined to go to heaven do so because of genetic predisposition to come to
God?
INTREP - another example of naturalistic philosophy tainting science - the idea that religion and morality (a product of religion) are the result of chemicl reactions in the brain is absolutely absurd.
..........
My dad told me it would heat up and kill my sperm if I wore tight genes, but THIS!
;-)
"the Voice of Truth tells me a different story."
(1) Poor (or no) toilet-training
(2) Too much lead in the pablum
(3) Accidently left in the microwave oven
(4) Four parents - all of the same "gender"
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