quote:

Anxiety May Be at Root of Religious Extremism...

     Which may explain why no atheists are found in foxholes.
Seán

My psychology/psychiatry course taught me that anxiety is a basic property of any living organism, so I am not surprised at the results.

In trying to motivate retired and house/institution bound seniors who are pretty passive by that point, I use both a game technique with winners recognized, and mild mannered female dogs to heighten the caring factor. As in the study, the bold ones are the most responsive, and I encourage them with a "no losers, only winners" game plan for those who respond verbally.

By the time I am done, there is some verbal response, more clapping, and finally hand waving goodbye.

Then there is all the publicity on law-abiding, poverty, bad economic times, etc., to heighten anciety in otherwise normal people.

The religious extremism in my experience is a rock many stand on until they no longer have to stand on it.

Donald

      Rock of Ages, (cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee) exploits such anxiety, doesn't it?
Seán

How so, Sean? I don't see it really encouraging anxiety in order to lasso people in. I could maybe see the hymn argued as an expression of anxiety, but only when not considering the whole of the lyrics above any isolated phrase.
--
Stephen

Sean

"exploits"?

For me it centers myself, like the expression, "covering your back". That leads to the central theme, "In Christ I can do all things."

Please understand that I was born, raised, baptized, confirmed, born again, all as a Methodist.
When circumstances changed, I sang in choirs from the Baptist and Assemblies of God and became acquainted with their zeal regarding Scripture. I have known many friendly church members, and none I can recall where their anxiety interfered with their church life.

Donald

     I used exploit in the sense of promote without pejorative intent. Don't you agree the Rock is presented as a refuge from worldly woe and, thus, from anxiety?
     Augustus Toplady wrote the hymn. I found a book of his other poems and hymns. They play heavily on the idea of man's plight in the absence of support by God. (Scroll far down to reach his text.)
Seán

Sean

Augustus M. Toplady was a contemporary and friend of the Wesleys. He wrote Rock of Ages in 1775 at a time of much anxiety in Great Britain and the American colonies because of religious persecution. The effect of the hymn with others like Amazing Grace, published in 1779 and concident with the English Parliament vote to abolish slavery on British ships, with its early adoption in the American republic, at least demonstrates the felt need and relief accorded religious hymns.

The point is that anxiety is felt at all levels of religion, varying with circumstances in both individuals and groups. It is absolutely something that needs to be dealt with, whether the goal is jihad or peace.

Donald

quote:

...anxiety is felt at all levels of religion...—EQ

Does religion induce anxiety, or vice versa?
Seán

We were born before we got religion, but the framework for the latter was in us.

Donald