 No one wants to get cancer. If someone gets it, how do they handle treatment? How do they face their own imminent death?
A recent study about End of Life Care (EOL) for people with terminal cancer produced some interesting results that I had to share with you.
Link Between Religious Coping And Aggressive Treatment In Terminally Ill Cancer Patients
“Recent research has shown that religion and spirituality are major sources of comfort and support for patients confronting advanced disease. We focused specifically on positive religious coping, on people who rely on their faith to handle the stresses of serious illness and approaching death. Our findings indicate that patients who turn to religion to cope in times of crisis, such as when facing death, are more likely to receive aggressive care when they die.”
The study involved 345 advanced cancer patients at seven hospital and cancer centers around the [...]
 The other day, a study was published that I thought was rather interesting. I then found 2 older studies that were sort of related and thought I’d share them with you. This is an area that is quite interesting to me. I’ve always been a bit of a black sheep, never really following the trends of the majority in much of anything. So when I read about how people make decisions, especially as a mob group, I find it to be a bit mysterious and fascinating.
Here are the studies:
Children As Young As Preschoolers Tend To Follow Majority Opinion
In this study, three- and four-year-old children watched as a small group of people (either three or four members) named a novel object. The majority of group members would use the same name for the object; the lone dissenter would pick a different name. The children were [...]
First, Happy Birthday, Darwin! You don’t look a day over 70!
I found an article at New Scientist the other day. It’s called Born believers: How your brain creates god. I guess it makes sense, that humans create god by default. The research does not say that god exists, of course, only that creating religion is the path of least resistance. They also say that atheism will always be a tough sell and religion will never go away.
What I don’t like about the article is that it doesn’t have good links to all the studies that are referenced, some of which I haven’t found. But it’s a good overall general look at how several scientists are thinking about the mind and how humans create [...]
 Let’s talk about prayer and visions and things today.
First, let’s talk about the inauguration with Obama. Even if I weren’t a vocal atheist, I’d be offended by the choice of rick warren to deliver the prayer. Of course, as a Constitutionalist, I believe in the Separation of Church and State. The office of president of the United States is earned by votes. Not direct votes of the people, but hey, let’s not nitpick on that issue at the moment. This job of president is purely secular. Why is there a bible, a pastor and prayer involved at all? The FFRF is suing to get rid of the reference to god and the prayers, at least.
warren, this hypocritical slimeball, is going to act as an agent of the state to deliver the invocation and benediction. Read more about warren and how [...]
It seems that all major religions share the experience of transcendence. Personally in my religious indoctrination as a child, I never felt it. But lots of people have. It’s a feeling of being one with god where you lose your sense of self. I would guess if you ever felt like you were one with your god, that would strongly increase your faith. Right?
Well, now scientists at the University of Missouri have shown what happens during such experiences. When a person experiences transcendence, there is decreased activity in the right parietal lobe of the brain. This area has to do with your senses, such as orienting yourself in space.
Note that people who have injuries to the right parietal lobe also report increased levels of spiritual experiences, which would further substantiate the findings of this [...]
 Ohmygosh, I am not feeling well. I feel like a used litterbox. Ew. I just grossed myself out there. Anyhoo, I’ve had something I wanted to share with you, but unfortunately I’ve not been up to posting it in the detail you deserve. Instead of holding onto it even longer, I’m going to be brief and let you know of this neat study.
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The other day I heard of a study reported in the journal Science about holding warm or cold coffee. The researchers found that holding warm coffee led people to judge others to be more generous and caring. If they held iced coffee they’d think of them less nicely.
 They also found that if asked to hold a warm pack, they’d be more generous and give something to someone. If they held a cold pack, they’d be more likely to keep something for themselves.
Which means, [...]
 I listen to several science/skeptical podcasts and like to browse the latest science headlines on Science Daily occassionally. I was searching for something the other day and came upon 2 news items that I find fascinating.
Atheists are often labeled as nihilistic, all doom and gloom, angry and miserable. But while I can be just as grumpy or unhappy as the next person, I like to revel in the beauty and complexity of the natural world. I find it awesome and inspiring. See? It’s totally reasonable to be a happy, moral and thoughtful person and be completely godless.
The first news report is from June 5, 2008. Humans Have TEN TIMES More Bacteria Than Human Cells. How amazing is that!? Only 10% of the cells in and on your body are human. The rest are bacteria. Now, before you grab that horrid antibacterial soap you insist [...]
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