I need to know which demographics this applies to. My speculation is that it applies to Americans mostly. American Christianity in whatever form (Protestant, Catholic, Baptist, etc...) is pretty far from even a literal interpretation of the Bible. American Religion is more like a clique, posse or group that people get a sense of belonging to.

It very rarely relates to anagogical spiritual practices which are the root of religion world-wide.

It bothers me that CBS doesn't post the name of the research(ers). I have to read the actual paper on stuff like this, I don't trust media to interpret it for me.

It is not worth anything to me.

Obviously it makes no sense to the average person. How could you be happy in such a condition? No hope for fame, fortune, wild sex, no future. How could you be happy? And the answer is because you let go of the desire for; fame, fortune, wild sex and a future. Letting go of these desires is the basis of religion.

"I hope you die soon" - Richard Sylvester

We have to die to life in order to live. That is where we find our happiness, only after all hope is lost. At age 85 we have little to look forward to, and instead look at what is happening now. We cease living for the future and begin living for the present. We also tend to focus less on ourselves and more on others.

We could do all this in our youth if we understand why and how. But we don't, it's the meaning of being born into ignorance.

Here is a scene of The Simpsons I remember quite well. Throughout the entire episode Nelson keeps laughing at people and saying "Ha Ha, your epidermis is showing!". Afterward Nelson explains that the epidermis "is your hair". Epidermis not equal to Hair.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClynhFKMs3c

Okay, here is one worse than anything on that list. Walter Freeman travelling across the continental United States peforming Frontal Lobe Lobotomies on people suffering from depression. His procedure can only be deemed "experimental", as at the time there was no peer-review, studies or anything. He just went around sticking a surgical ice-pick through the orbital (eye cavity), and with a swirl, creating a cone-shaped cavity in their frontal lobes. Then he'd point and say "See, they are more docile, and happier."
Freeman adapted it from António Egas Moniz's Leukotomy.

By the way. There is nothing more ridiculous than the way people have come to portray B.F. Skinner's Daughter-Box. His daughter herself rejects the statements that it was cruel. Powell V Texas, now there is an atrocity!

In 50 years, people will look back on how we do things with disgust. I'm pretty disgusted with the way society conducts itself in general. But few people listen when it is suggested that we are doing things horribly wrong.

"Punishment as punishment is not admissible unless the offender has had the free will to select his course."
- Clarence Darrow

http://www.determinism.com/quotes.shtml

Yea, I tend to take things too seriously. Like, metaphysical assumptions about our autonomy that underscore millennia of erroneous criminal justice systems, which incorporate punitive-retributive punishment techniques. Yea, I maintain that the vast majority of humans are foolish, they chase after good-times and buzzes, and ignore the infinite consequences of their actions. So yea, a bit of a buzzkill. If this were Nazi Germany, I'd be criticizing the Nazis. But it's not, so I'm criticizing the next best thing; mindless couch-potatos who inadvertently allow injustices through their ignorant and complacent consent.

"A nation that continues to produce weak-minded men purchases it's enslavement on the installment plan." - Martin Luthor King Jr.

"The world is made up for the most part of morons and natural tyrants, sure of themselves, strong in their own opinions, never doubting anything."
Clarence Darrow

Except today's Tyranny hides behind bids for congeniality. Like the Rolling Stones song "Sympathy for the Devil"; So, if you meet me, have some courtesy. Have sympathy and some taste. Use all your well-learned politesse (nicities) or I'll lay your soul to waste." Don't step on anyone's dreams, fantasies, delusions, or try to challenge anyone's cherised points of view. Aim to have smooth relations with everyone, let no one be offended or hurt. And hell will truly be on its way.

Be careful microwaving plastics, they leach toxins. I won't be microwaving any sponges.

Hmm, I wonder if they will add "Normativity" this year. None of the major dictionaries recognize it. Yet it is used all the time in philosophy.

Nobody is free, of course we are not able to choose what religion we subscribe to. Even when we think we are making a choice we are often acting out of disgust, fear, desire for control, arrogance, and so forth. For example; people who hate religions because they can't make any sense out of them.

It is often said "Free-Will" is the desire to do what one wants. But in the past, "Free-Will" has been the ability to want what one wants, and that is something that requires a lot of personal inquiry into self-hood. A lot of meditation and decision about what is ultimately true and just.

People who obey desires, are simply victims of desires, not free.

I like optical illusions about as much as I like optics. Which is quite a lot, btw.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nlB2iavXqvs/SOfFOzU7NMI/AAAAAAAACMM/wMXGgJsvFpo/s400/Focus+Illusion.jpg

Just pick up "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Extreme Edition"

Problem with learning CPR from TV is when you snap the sternum and puncture the heart or lungs. I know, cause I learned CPR from St. John's Ambulance CPR course. This complication can occur performing chest-compressions as well as the Heimlich maneuver.