People capable of unconsciously learning complex patterns have stronger belief in a god

The why and how the human brain develops religious beliefs may stem from our ability to learn, a new study reveals. Researches found individuals who can unconsciously predict complex patterns in the environment believe there is a god who creates order and intervenes in an otherwise chaotic universe. The study used a cognitive test to measure implicit pattern learning, which showed a sequence of dots appeared and disappeared on a computer screen. Participants were told to push a button when a dot appeared, but some learned the distinct patter and were able to predict when it would appear - and sometimes before. The data showed those who noted they had faith in a higher power performed better overall during the experiment.