I was bored and surfing the Discovery and Science Channels websites and happened upon some information about this experiment. I've heard of this kind of thing before but I never knew the specifics of it. This is from Wikipedia and I haven't exactly done too much due diligence in how accurate the experiment was, but what I found interesting were the conclusions drawn.

Professor Milgram elaborated two theories explaining his results:

• The first is the theory of conformism, based on Solomon Asch conformity experiments, describing the fundamental relationship between the group of reference and the individual person. A subject who has neither ability nor expertise to make decisions, especially in a crisis, will leave decision making to the group and its hierarchy. The group is the person's behavioral model.

• The second is the agentic state theory, wherein, per Milgram, "the essence of obedience consists in the fact that a person comes to view themselves as the instrument for carrying out another person's wishes, and they therefore no longer see themselves as responsible for their actions. Once this critical shift of viewpoint has occurred in the person, all of the essential features of obedience follow"

Seems to me this explains the religious mindset and how they can commit atrocities and still be morally ok with themselves.

Thoughts?

Edit: Formatting