Why The World Needs Religion

[AstronomyDomine]

I remember reading (in Scientific American) a while back that there may actually be a gene that gives us the need for a God, and/or religion.

And I think it is absolutely necessary. In the early days of humanity, it was what brought people together, controlled large groups of people, and motivated them to work towards common goals.

Without the concept of afterlife, people have a lot less/nothing to live for. Religion made the world what it is today.

(holy shit, my roommate just walked by me, the dude smells like shit.)

[Merlinman2005]

No, mutual help and longetivity of life was what held people together and gave them a reason to work together.

[AstronomyDomine]

quote:Originally posted by Merlinman2005:

No, mutual help and longetivity of life was what held people together and gave them a reason to work together.

I guess, but I wouldn't be so quick to toss this away, I mean, it was front page on Scientific American.

[psychedelicious]

opiate of the masses among other things.

[Merlinman2005]

quote:Originally posted by AstronomyDomine:

I guess, but I wouldn't be so quick to toss this away, I mean, it was front page on Scientific American.

I've heard the phrase "the God gene" before, but can't recall if it was in S A. Can you find a link or some other real proof of this?

And I was only tossing the notion that a belief in God is what held us together, nothing else, btw.

[suck my dick]

http://www.geocities.com/milkmandan2...anOnline1.html

[Real.PUA]

We are biologically predisposed to rape, that doesnt mean its right or good. I disagree that people are disposed to believe in god, what people are disposed to is to believe what the predominant beliefs in the culture are. This explains why other countries have a high percentages of atheists.

Lastly, not having an afterlife gives MORE meaning to this life. It's the only life we have, thus it is the most important.

[Mellow_Fellow]

No, memes and religious genes don't exist.

If anything, they are a misunderstanding of something greater.

But it's not "numerical" anyway, people are shaped and moulded into their beliefs, and they in turn shape and mould.

And maybe what the world needs isn't what we call religion, with its dogma, and fixed, ideas, but something "based" upon the very feeling behind religion, that sense of love, and working together i guess.

And religion is not from the "early days" of humanity as such, it arose when we were fulfilled, and became complacent, and we sought something more than survival.

Or maybe not...maybe it's tapping into something, not something we "need" as such, but something that will help.

[Surak]

Religion was founded as a means to explain the mysteries of the universe at a time when we had no idea *how* to do that, and probably as a way to control people. There is no "love" behind that.

[Peanutbutter Soup]

quote:Without the concept of afterlife, people have a lot less/nothing to live for.

Why would the lack of an afterlife to look forward to give you less of a reason to live? I feel that if this life is the only one you've got, make the best of it...it has the opposite effect. Plus, if all you want is an eternal afterlife, that seems to devalue this life.

Your life is what you make of it, and only you can give it meaning and only you can decide whether or not it is worth living.

[This message has been edited by Peanutbutter Soup (edited 10-30-2006).]