Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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Cognitive scientists say human minds may come pre-wired for theism (agency detection, purpose-seeking, afterlife intuitions). But do those instincts actually make kids believers in gods? And what happens to kids raised without religion at all?
Thumbnail by @ECHenry
This video was made possible through the support of Grant 61928 from the John Templeton Foundation managed by The Queen’s University of Belfast. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation or The Queen’s University of Belfast.
00:00 Setting up the question: Theistic Babies?
2:32 Cognitive Defaults for Theism?
13:56 Cultural and Social Inputs for Theism
20:33 What about kids raised in nonreligious families?
Register for our Religion and Sports class!: religiondepartment.com/religionandsports
Cognitive scientists say human minds may come pre-wired for theism (agency detection, purpose-seeking, afterlife intuitions). But do those instincts actually make kids believers in gods? And what happens to kids raised without religion at all?
Thumbnail by @ECHenry
This video was made possible through the support of Grant 61928 from the John Templeton Foundation managed by The Queen’s University of Belfast. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation or The Queen’s University of Belfast.
00:00 Setting up the question: Theistic Babies?
2:32 Cognitive Defaults for Theism?
13:56 Cultural and Social Inputs for Theism
20:33 What about kids raised in nonreligious families?
