Rationality and the "religious mind"

The social-scientific study of religion has long presumed that religious th ought is "primitive," non-rational, incompatible with science, and (thus) d oomed to decline. Contemporary evidence, however; suggests that religious i nvolvement correlates with good mental health, responds to perceived costs and benefits, and persists in the face advanced education and scientific tr aining. Although professors, scientists, and other highly educated American s are less religious than the general population, the magnitude of this eff ect is similar to those associated with gender race, and other demographic traits. Moreover "hard" science faculty, are more often religious than facu lty, in the humanities or social sciences. (JEL Z10).