I would take some of this with a grain of salt; I distrust a religion prof who says academic research needs to solve more practical problems. The main practical problem he's trying to solve is selling more copies of his book.
I'm surprised there isn't more research along these lines, since it would seem to solve an awful lot of practical problems here on Earth if we could get that particular question sorted out once and for all.
Your petition reveals the extent of your knowledge of Religious Studies.