Neuroscience had found that there is a correlation between belief in God and one’s altruistic behaviour. Now this point is further established by a scientific study of the benevolent behaviour of the people. Flame of Love Project is a recently concluded survey aimed at studying the relationship between spiritual experiences and benevolent behaviour in America. The project, which has been active for more than four years was headed by two sociologists and a theologian. The study suggests that almost half of Americans feel God’s love at least once a day. Eight out of ten have this experience at least once in a while. A similar number have felt God’s love prompting their compassion for others at least occasionally, with almost a third feeling this compassion daily or more often. Furthermore, the experience of divine love proved to be the most consistent predictor of different forms of benevolent behaviour. Whether giving time or money, helping friends and family, or working to make the world a better place, the findings suggest that for many Americans, the experience of divine love and practical benevolence are inseparable. The Godly Love National Survey (GLNS), did a representative random survey of 1,200 people—both religious and nonreligious—from across the United States.

In another result from the work, almost half of the respondents who had a strong sense of purpose directly experienced God’s love daily or more, as compared with the 14% who had a strong sense of purpose but never experienced divine love. Other notable findings from the research include: Those who feel God’s love more than once per day are more than twice as likely as the rest of Americans to give their time more than once a week to help others in need, and more than twice as likely to give more than $5,000 per year to help others in need; African-Americans and Hispanics are more likely than Euro-Americans, and women are more likely than men, to report experiences of God’s love; Anger at God is a normal part of experiencing divine love. Within certain limits, it is a signal that a deep relationship exists.