Humans Hardwired to Believe in Supernatural Deity?

dohcrx writes "According to a Sunday New York Times article, 6 in 10 Americans believe in the devil and hell, 7 in 10 believe in angels, heaven and the existence of miracles and life after death, while 92% believe in a personal God. The article explores the possibility that this belief structure may be ingrained into our genetic makeup. 'When a trait is universal, evolutionary biologists look for a genetic explanation and wonder how that gene or genes might enhance survival or reproductive success ... Which is the better biological explanation for a belief in God — evolutionary adaptation or neurological accident? Is there something about the cognitive functioning of humans that makes us receptive to belief in a supernatural deity?'"

Comments

Hmm, so...

[Xenographic]

Religion evolved?

Sounds like a sure way to piss off the religious and atheists alike :]

"Wait, you mean religion might confer some survival advantage? And it's so widespread that..."

"First you're telling me I'm a monkey's uncle. Now you're telling me it was a religious monkey!? Okay, great ape or whatever, but still!?"

Re:Hmm, so...

[Copid]

Plus, they had the benefit of sharing in any rations stolen from those hellbound atheists. Limpwristed heathens!

I'm reminded of a conversation between my father and my sister years ago:

"Dad, the neighbors have a bunch of food and water stored up in case of an emergency. Do you think we should do that too?"

"No, honey. We have guns, and you just told me where we can get food and water in case of an emergency."

I can only hope to give my children the same type of healthy upbringing. Is he joking? Is he joking...?

Re:Hmm, so...

[19thNervousBreakdown]

Are you on a hallucinogen right now?

I believe in God baby!

[Gentlewhisper]

Now let me get laid! What? It doesn't work that way?

Re:I believe in God baby!

[jjacksonRIAB]

The virgin Mary would claim otherwise. But you are a slashdotter -that means your only hope for salvation is dressing up like a cow and moving out to Iowa on the off-chance that you might discover a blind milkmaid.

Re:I believe in God baby!

[jjacksonRIAB]

Again -you are a slashdotter, so naturally LARP would suit you.

Re:there is No god

[Anonymous Coward]

Who's No and why do you worship it? :)

Re:It's because humans WANT to believe

[cyber-vandal]

You must be new here.

Uhm, duh?

[pi_rules]

When you're a little kid you look up to your parents -- they are your creators.

You learn that your grandparents were the creators of your parents, and you think they're pretty cool too.

If you go back far enough you must accept one of two conclusions:

Human kind was started by a great all-knowing being, or, by two monkeys fucking and producing some genetically mutated offspring.

The former is a little less of a blow to your ego.

Re:Old, old news

[Ravear]

the theist can argue that the direction towards worship is part of the Creator's plan.
Trust god to implement WGA-on-steroids. If you don't phone in, you don't get to reproduce.

Re:It's because humans WANT to believe

[tool462]

I think it's called the "God gene."

Re:How does age figure in?

[Anonymous Coward]

Well, dude, I'm in the 99% centile. You ain't smart.

(Nothing worse than a bunch of fuckwits who think they're smart. It really pisses them off I'm a foul-mouthed violent jerk who can think rings around them).

Re:of course

[Lane.exe]

Galactic Overlord Xenu??!?

Re:it's how they validate their own beliefs

[askegg]

If they are Mormons, just ask them about their special underwear - that seems to make them unconformable when their at my door :)

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[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:there is No god

[Anonymous Coward]

When you look to other religions and say "that's ridiculous" at the idea of a wine god or a god with the head of an elephant or spirits and ferries or Zeus or Thor wielding his hammer, have you ever considered one thing.... is your religion any less ridiculous????

I have yet to meet a single person who expressed his or her disbelief in ferries, or any other mode of marine transportation.

Re:it's how they validate their own beliefs

[UbuntuDupe]

I have a line I came up with on the spur of the moment when some religious people came to my door...

"I'm sorry, but I'm quite secure in my lack of faith."

Left them totally stunned

You mean, they weren't quick-witted enough to say:

"I find your lack of faith disturbing."

Re:there is No god

[FooAtWFU]

If there were no Voltaire, it would be necessary for God to create him. :)

Re:faith

[amRadioHed]

Besides, I'm not implying that most of the world is stupid. Just weak-minded. Go ahead, say I'm wrong. You're wro.... You're wron.... You're wr....

Damnit! I can't do it :-)

Downside to atheism

[ajs318]

Q. What's the worst thing about being an atheist?

A. There's no Hell for the Protestants to burn in!