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Posted

Interesting research on the idea that feeling forgiven by God (authors focused on Judeo-Christians) can make you less likely to apologise to others. Giving people a sense of inner resolution makes them less likely to resolve conflicts, I guess, on the Earthly realm, but it can also boost gratitude and humility, which could produce heartfelt expressions when apologizing to others.

It's just one study, but fascinating to me as a non-Christian. The cynical side of me can't help but think this may explain a reason why some American Christians act with such ease when being... fucking pricks and non-Christian like. Maybe I'm still giving some people too much credit that they even feel guilty and ask God for forgiveness. 

High level, the study found two causal or psychological processes... Self-Focused Pathway (hinders apology) and Other-Focused Pathway (facilitates apology).

  • The self-focused pathway dominated the sample.
  • The other-focused pathway, weaker and conditional, depended on factors like religiosity and belief in God.
  • Divine forgiveness reliably increased self-forgiveness, reducing the perceived need to apologize.
  • Gratitude and humility, activated in more religious individuals, counteracted this effect, leading to more apologies.
  • Consequently, divine forgiveness had no direct effect on apology behavior due to the opposing pathways canceling each other out.

Attached is the article for those interested.

ludwig-et-al-2025-implications-of-divine-forgiveness-for-conciliatory-behavior-understanding-how-feeling-forgiven-by.pdf

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Posted

Did that study focus on evangelicals?  Because it seems like it focused on evangelicals.  If you believe that once "saved," you've got the eternal bliss green light no matter what, I can see where that would make you less self-reflective and remorseful of harmful actions and more likely to sweep scandals of fellow believeres under the rug as no big deal (see Baylor). 

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Posted
26 minutes ago, Samson's Wig said:

If you believe that once "saved," you've got the eternal bliss green light no matter what, I can see where that would make you less self-reflective and remorseful of harmful actions and more likely to sweep scandals of fellow believeres under the rug as no big deal (see Baylor). 

Bingo.

You can do whatever horrible shit you want, but at the end, you hold up your "But I've accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior" card as a full, no-exceptions free pass.  You're this fucking asshole:

F_YMc2HXcAARU6O.jpg

The Magic Jesus Pass means that you're good, you're heaven-bound no matter what you do.

It's not just a shittacular way of being, it's also TERRIBLE theology.  But then, "terrible theology" is the foundation of modern American Christianity, so keep on keeping on, I guess.

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Posted
1 hour ago, txduck87 said:

Most people suck regardless if they are religious or not.

True, but religious folks, primarily in America, are by a large margin significantly worse on average, for reasons discussed in here, they think they are allowed to be cruel and hateful as a matter of devine righteousness. I have far more repsect for people who are assholes and are okay just being assholes. 

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Posted
16 minutes ago, hookemATL said:

If you ain’t repentin’ on your deathbed after a lifetime of buggery, sloth, and other generalized butthole pleasures, then what the fuck ARE you doing?

 

Quoted from the Gospel of NowThis

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Posted
1 hour ago, Samson's Wig said:

Did that study focus on evangelicals?  Because it seems like it focused on evangelicals.  If you believe that once "saved," you've got the eternal bliss green light no matter what, I can see where that would make you less self-reflective and remorseful of harmful actions and more likely to sweep scandals of fellow believeres under the rug as no big deal (see Baylor). 

It wasn't focused on evangelicals, but the study took place in the US, and it's likely the participants adhered to your typical Judeo-Christian believes and practices. They didn't focus on denomination but rather looked on belief in God, religious commitment, and frequency of religious practice. 

Posted
2 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

Bingo.

You can do whatever horrible shit you want, but at the end, you hold up your "But I've accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior" card as a full, no-exceptions free pass.  You're this fucking asshole:

F_YMc2HXcAARU6O.jpg

The Magic Jesus Pass means that you're good, you're heaven-bound no matter what you do.

It's not just a shittacular way of being, it's also TERRIBLE theology.  But then, "terrible theology" is the foundation of modern American Christianity, so keep on keeping on, I guess.

I always thought that was the one good thing about Catholicism...do whatever you want and then just go to confession and get it taken off the books. 

Posted
1 minute ago, Deej said:

I always thought that was the one good thing about Catholicism...do whatever you want and then just go to confession and get it taken off the books. 

I mean....you at least had to confess the sin.  And usually, do SOMETHING for absolution.  Far from perfect and definitely worked around....but it at least made a place that required you to state and be contrite for the sin.

The fundagelical model?  None of that is needed.  Rape and murder a puppy?  No need to confess, no need to make amends, any of that shit.  Nope, you just hold up your "I ACCEPTED JESUS CHRIST AS MY LORD AND SAVIOR" card, and you're as good as gold.

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Posted
Just now, Brisketexan said:

I mean....you at least had to confess the sin.  And usually, do SOMETHING for absolution.

I can handle a few Hail Mary's. 

1 minute ago, Brisketexan said:

Rape and murder a puppy?  No need to confess, no need to make amends, any of that shit.  Nope, you just hold up your "I ACCEPTED JESUS CHRIST AS MY LORD AND SAVIOR" card, and you're as good as gold.

The Baylor model.

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Posted
1 minute ago, Deej said:

I can handle a few Hail Mary's. 

The Baylor model.

Well, Baylor also adds the layer of blaming the victim, at least when the victim is someone inferior, like a female.  And when they can layer on some racism.  "Of course she got raped....she was hanging out with....that element."

Posted
3 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

Well, Baylor also adds the layer of blaming the victim, at least when the victim is someone inferior, like a female.  And when they can layer on some racism.  "Of course she got raped....she was hanging out with....that element."

"There's more than one way to skin a cat."

- Baylor Baseball

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Posted
15 minutes ago, Deej said:

I always thought that was the one good thing about Catholicism...do whatever you want and then just go to confession and get it taken off the books. 

 

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Posted
1 hour ago, Hermanator said:

The farther science advances, the more religion is exposed as malicious bullshittery. 

Advanced science is not required to see through religion. Basic logic is enough. 

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