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Humans Hardwired to Believe in Supernatural Deity?

Posted by Zonk on from the my-genes-rebel dept.

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?'"

10 of 1,852 comments (clear)

  1. Hmm, so... by Xenographic · · Score: 5, Funny

    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!?"

    1. Re:Hmm, so... by Copid · · Score: 5, Funny

      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...?
      --
      An interesting anagram of "BANACH TARSKI" is "BANACH TARSKI BANACH TARSKI"
  2. Re:there is No god by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

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

  3. Re:It's because humans WANT to believe by cyber-vandal · · Score: 3, Funny

    You must be new here.

  4. Re:I believe in God baby! by jjacksonRIAB · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.

    --
    Make a few bad jokes on /. and watch your karma become worthy of Hitler
  5. Uhm, duh? by pi_rules · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.

  6. Re:Old, old news by Ravear · · Score: 4, Funny

    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.
  7. Re:I believe in God baby! by jjacksonRIAB · · Score: 4, Funny

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

    --
    Make a few bad jokes on /. and watch your karma become worthy of Hitler
  8. Re:It's because humans WANT to believe by tool462 · · Score: 3, Funny

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

  9. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 5, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion