But First, Let’s Look at Our Profit Margins (Sumblog 5)

                I think that this week’s discussion on Rational Choice Theory was very interesting. I think that I could relate a lot to it especially when looking at it the way it was described in class as a combination of sociology, religious study and economics. It reminded me a lot of what I learned in my economics class, in particular when we talked about a free market. Religious choices being in the open market for anyone to choose from is very interesting because I think often we don’t have all the information needed to be able to make those choices. However, one could argue that this all a part of the game. We never will have all of the information and the fact that you may have biased information is important because others around you might think the same way. This could lead to the issue that people will see you as blank even though you are actually blank. (See extremists in every religion and their stereotypes). This could be a huge reason and implication that needs to be on your cost benefits analysis, because if you are looking into a religion that where you live is widely hated or misrepresented, becoming that religion could be very detrimental to your life. For example, if you are doing a cost benefits analysis on being Muslim and you live pretty much anywhere in the United States, a huge cost could be the negative stigma and stereotype that American’s have when it comes to ANYONE being identified as Muslim. This is mainly because of the media only portraying extremist Muslims who are typically from the Middle East. These ideas and hatred of these people and the religion could cause harm to the person who is trying to become that religion or is contemplating it.

               Here comes in my thoughts on how we must all look at the “Profit Margins” we talked about this in class as being the benefits,  but I also found the quote from class on how God could be one of the best exchange partners really fascinating. The profits of believing in God and the gains that yo9u could get because you are affiliated with him could be so large that even all of the costs you would incur throughout your life would never be all that bad. It’s interesting because when you look at religion from an economic standpoint, it can seem a little unemotional or less important when in relation with how people “feel.” But often enough, we see that people “feel” a certain way only because of what is being gained or given. So really, being unemotional and only gaining is kind of like living our daily lives.

I picked this picture, because I think it goes well with the idea that we have to know the latest research to be able to make a decision on anything. That the core value of Rational Choice Theory is that we can know a lot about everything and be able make a judgment from there. I think it's important to remember that not everyone has all the information, and even if you don't, you can still make a decision. You don't necessarily have to read the latest research to be informed.