Andy Thomson: Why We Believe in God(s)

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/f/5/6/event_209268982.jpegWhy We Believe In God(s): An Introduction to the Psychological Science of Religious Belief

We are the first generation in the history of the world who knows how and why human minds generate, spread, and consume religious beliefs. Yet, few realize how close we stand to a comprehensive psychological science of religious belief. The implications are limitless. No President should ever again invoke a deity and savior in response to a tragedy such as the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. He only reveals profound ignorance of our current state of knowledge. This presentation will lay out the fundamentals of the cognitive science of religious belief and the supportive evidence.

J. Anderson Thomson, Jr., M.D. (Andy) is a psychiatrist in private practice in Charlottesville, Virginia. He is also a staff psychiatrist at Counseling and Psychological Services at the University of Virginia Student Health Services and the Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy at the University of Virginia.

Dr. Thomson’s current research interest is in the area of evolutionary psychology and using its principles to understand depression, suicide terrorism, and religious belief.

We will be collecting donations for our March/April Charity of the Quarter which will be the Palmetto House, a shelter run by Crisis Ministries for women and children in Summerville.

As usual, we'll go to dinner after the meeting.

Time: 4-5:30pm
Place: Gage Hall, 4 Archdale Street
Cost: Free
Childcare: Not provided, but children are welcome to attend.