119: David DeSteno: Can Religion Make You Happier? The Surprising Scientific Findings of Ancient Religious Practice (Best of NSE)

Does religion make you happier?

These days, many of us are prone to see religion as an artifact of pre-scientific humanity, full of non-scientific claims. For that reason, religion often gets written off as having no measurable value for everyday life. But what if the so-called goods of religion could be studied?

In his most recent book How God Works, psychologist David DeSteno, suggests that religion has indeed been studied in this way, and that the results could change the way religion is viewed in the public sphere. In this episode, we hear from David as he discusses the ways the world’s great religious traditions line up with cutting-edge psychological and neuroscientific findings - in other words, the ways in which religion leads to a longer, happier, healthier life.

Show Notes:

• Similar episodes

• The Power of Being Known: Curt Thompson

• What Hath Christianity to do with Psychology?: Mark McMinn

• The Power of Sabbath Rest: Judith Shulevitz

• Seven Ways to Ruin Your Life: Rebecca DeYoung

• Resources mentioned this episode

• How God Works by David Desteno

• How God Works Podcast

• PDF of Lee’s Interview Notes

• Transcription Link

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