They are, to put it differently, essentially religious acts, not optional additions to the religious life. (firstthings.com)
Also surprising: just how much of an effect religious acts had on others. (sciencedaily.com)
But to demonstrate that signaling theory is part of the answer, it's not enough to prove that people who engage in religious acts also engage in prosocial behavior — you also have to show that others in the community get the message. (sciencedaily.com)