This will make some people very unhappy

This story will surely make some eyebrows go up. Disclaimer, I have not read the study and don't know about the validity of the study, but it intrigues me. Here is a tease: "Religious belief can cause damage to a society, contributing towards high murder rates, abortion, sexual promiscuity and suicide, according to research published today."

Huh?

In sum, this study shows a correlation between religious belief and the "moral and ethical foundations of a healthy society." The Religious Right suggests that a secular society would lead to chaos. They think that the irreligious are immoral.

This study suggests that the right is wrong. Instead of being immoral, the less religious nations are actually better at the above issues. They have less abortion, murder, etc. Why would that be?

The study points at the evolution v. creation debate. And while that seems an odd linkage, I think I understand it. It has to do with people who ignore evidence in lieu of blind faith. Don't get me wrong. I like faith. I am trying to understand mine. But we live in a complex world that is not easily explained all the time. And sometimes, what our heart and faith tells us needs to be challenged with other evidence. The part that bothers me is that the big stuff--the existence of God; the trinity; faith in God, Jesus, etc.--are not really at issue here. Evolution doesn't negate that, nor do other scientific theories. They are issues of faith and there is nothing wrong with that.

But those who rely on faith over reason and evidence, have decided to approach other issues in the world the same way. Consider the laudable goal of reducing unwanted pregnancies, abortions and stds. Christian conservatives say abstinence only, and don't even want contraceptives mentioned. The reality and the evidence shows that abstinence only doesn't work, and it makes kids less safe, not more. The death penalty is supported by so many conservatives for a variety of reasons, including the belief that it deters crime. But it doesn't. Add to that DNA evidence, and we have another policy that means we are doing more harm than good. Abortion has increased under Bush. The list goes on.

Christian conservatives need to hear this report as a criticism, but not an indictment. It isn't a charge that faith or religion are bad, per se. It is a suggestion that there are policies and issues that are best handled with a pragmatic approach, where broad moral and religious principles play a role. But governing from a literal Bible is irrational, and this study suggests, more destructive than helpful. We need not abandon our faith, but we should use the reason and expertise that God gave us. But that means listening to evidence when it matters.