- Previous studies have suggested people who hold strong religious beliefs are more intuitive and less analytical. But new research by Oxford neuroscientists and philosophers suggests that is not the case, and upbringing and socio-cultural processes play a greater role in religious beliefs. http://www.coventry.ac.uk/primary-news/why-do-we-believe-in-gods-religious-belief-not-linked-to-intuition-or-rational-thinking-new-research-suggests-/ 541 comments science