RfRx - Remembering Sweetness: Happiness in a Time of Plague w/ Andy Thomson, M.D.

Trigger warning: Images of Self Harm are in the presentation

Regular RfRx guest Dr. Andy Thomson, M.D. will summarize key findings from the psychological science research into happiness and well-being, and how it all connects to our evolutionary history. Additionally, the presentation will discuss a useful model known as the “AAA battery”: Agency, Attachment, and Altruism.

0:00:00 - RfRx Opening
0:14:21 - Guest Introduction
0:15:21 - Topic Discussion Begins
1:24:20 - Q&A Session
1:43:38 - Closing thoughts with RfR Founder & President, Dr. Darrel Ray

Dr Andy Thomson is a psychiatrist at University of Virginia Student Health Services. The 9/11 attacks triggered an interest in suicide terrorism, which led to the discovery of an unappreciated world of research into how and why human minds generate religious beliefs. Andy has written “Why We Believe In God(s): A Concise Guide to the Science of Faith” which brings that world to anyone interested.

Hosted by Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director and Sherrie D’Souza, RfR Support Group Leader & Board Member

Recorded on September 6, 2021

Resource List
- “Becoming Attached” by Robert Karen: https://icpla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Karen-R.-Becoming-Attached.pdf
- “My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel” by Ari Shavit: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15798334-my-promised-land
- “Can you connect with me now? How the presence of mobile communication technology influences face-to-face conversation quality” by Andrew K. Przybylski, Netta Weinstein: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0265407512453827
- “The evolutionary psychology of healing: A human success story” by Nicholas Humphrey: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230848414_The_evolutionary_psychology_of_healing_A_human_success_story
- “Need help? Ask a 2-year-old” Dr. Felix Warneken TEDTalk: https://youtu.be/-qul57hcu4I
- “Spending money on others promotes happiness” by Elizabeth W Dunn: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18356530
- “Toward a Neurology of Loneliness” by Stephanie Cacioppo, John P. Capitanio, and John T. Cacioppo: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5130107
- “Potential impact of physical distancing on physical and mental health: a rapid narrative umbrella review of metaanalyses on the link between social connection and health” by Nexhmedin Morina, et al: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/bmjopen/11/3/e042335.full.pdf
- “Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being” by Martin E. P. Seligman: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/9744812-flourish
- “The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom” by Jonathan Haidt: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/96884.The_Happiness_Hypothesis
- “The Myths of Happiness: What Should Make You Happy, but Doesn't, What Shouldn't Make You Happy, but Does” by Sonja Lyubomirsky: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15811501-the-myths-of-happiness
- “Stumbling on Happiness” by Daniel Gilbert: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56627.Stumbling_on_Happiness

Learn more about Dr. Andy Thompson:
- jandersonthomson.com
- centerforinquiry.org
- “Why We Believe in God(s): A Concise Guide to the Science of Faith” by Dr. J. Anderson Thomson & Clare Aukofer: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/10361826-why-we-believe-in-god-s

Atheist Community of Discord: https://discord.com/invite/B28xRKb

The primary focus of Recovering from Religion (RfR) is to offer hope, healing, and support to those struggling with issues of doubt and non-belief. This transitional period is an ongoing process that can result in a range of emotions, as well as a ripple effect of consequences throughout an individual’s life. We are here to help each other through this journey.

Any time you are struggling with religious doubts or fears you can connect with a trained RfR Helpline agent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To chat online go to http://www.recoveringfromreligion.org.
To talk over the phone, dial:
(844) 368-2848 in the US & Canada
+3 4505 2402 in Australia
+20 3856 8791 in the UK
+27 11 043 5323 in South Africa

Peer support is also available through local support groups. These groups offer monthly in-person meetings as a place to express doubts, fears, emotions & concerns about religion you wouldn't normally feel comfortable expressing in a religious community. Find your nearest support group at http://www.meetup.com/pro/recovering-from-religion.

RfR is a non-profit organization reliant upon both its volunteers and donations. Like what RfR does? Why not volunteer! There are quite a few options and we are always in need of volunteers. Head over to http://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/volunteer for more info. Donations can be made at http://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/donate.

Видео RfRx - Remembering Sweetness: Happiness in a Time of Plague w/ Andy Thomson, M.D. канала Recovering from Religion
Atheist, Critical Thinking, Secular, Agnostic, Skeptics, Humanism, Freethinker, LGBT Friendly, Support, Support Group, Non-Believer