Books on...

[Kaypee]

Was just wondering if anyone knew of any books on the psychology  and sociology of religion and its affects?

i just want to read up on why it seems to be in human nature to have a greater need to believe in a god.

any help would be great

[Whitney]

Paranormal Beliefs - A Sociological Introduction
 http://www.waveland.com/Titles/Goode-PB.htm

My husband said it was good but I've only read the introduction.

[Wechtlein Uns]

Good luck finding credible writings. If anyone respected would even attempt such research, every religion in the world would scream bloody murder.

Hint: it's because they fear science will explain religion once and for all.  

[Sophus]

The Dogma of Christ by Erich Fromm. He does a psychoanalysis of Christ's disciples. Plus some philosophy and more. I don't think you even have to buy it. I think I saw an "ebook" version online available for free.

[curiosityandthecat]

Go to your local library, do a keyword search for "sociology of religion" and start writing down call numbers.   My search returned nearly 500 books with those words, and even slightly more for "psychology of religion". Likewise, here's the Amazon.com results for the former and the latter.

[Wechtlein Uns]

I stand corrected.  

[Whitney]

Go to your local library, do a keyword search for "sociology of religion" and start writing down call numbers.   My search returned nearly 500 books with those words, and even slightly more for "psychology of religion". Likewise, here's the Amazon.com results for the former and the latter.

I did that and my first hit was written by a ordained minister...so it's a good idea to check the author's background too.  Not that everyone who is ordained is going to stretch the truth; but they are probably more likely to do so.