Folks,
From Nature:
Religious Concepts Promote Cooperation
Effect seems to work regardless of a person's beliefs.
A belief in God may have promoted the evolution of cooperative
behaviour, say Canadian psychologists. They found that priming
people with religious concepts makes them more generous —
regardless of whether they declare themselves to be believers.
Notions of civic responsibility also promote cooperation,
suggesting that religion might encourage altruism by invoking an
omniscient judge of behaviour.
More at http://www.nature.com/news/2007/070723/full/070723-6.html
The point being that religion -- whether you consider it the core of
your being or a mental illness, is beneficial to humankind.
If it is a delusion, it is a pro-social delusion.
Dave
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