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Discussion and Debate
Discussion and Debate
Physical & Life Sciences
Creation & Evolution
Another question for science.
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<blockquote data-quote="Tomatoman" data-source="post: 56161862" data-attributes="member: 257311"><p>Yes. It's the way our brains have evolved. That is why even the most dyed in the wool atheist among us can find himself or herself thinking in a semi superstitious or religious way, for example when otherwise quite rational people start babbling vaguely about concepts of karma, or after a close relative has died we interpret little things as signs that the deceased is sending us a message saying they're ok. We can't help it, it's the way our brains have evolved.</p><p></p><p>This is all explained quite simply (I thought) in a recently published book by Jesse Bering which covers everything from the development of what the author calls 'the theory of mind' in children, i.e. the ability to discern other individuals as thinking beings like ourselves (which is the reason we unconsciously attribute minds to inanimate objects and forces and situations we can't control, which ultimately explains what happens in paranoia - it is our theory of mind gone haywire - and autism - an under-developed sense of theory of mind) to superstition to conscience (which is basically a fear of someone seeing us in the act and telling other people about it) and morals to our sense of immortality and more, all explained from an evolutionary psychological viewpoint.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.jessebering.com/the-god-instinct-jacket.php" target="_blank">Official Website of Dr. Jesse Bering - 'The God Instinct: The Psychology of Souls, Destiny, and the Meaning of Life,' now available in the UK - Dr. Jesse Bering, psychology, God, theology, atheism, The God Instinct</a></p><p></p><p></p><p> I have to say I've never read a book that so conclusively describes why the development of language and the fear of damaging gossip, together with the theory of mind predisposes us to religion. You'll have to read it yourself to find out why it is so conclusive, but in my opinion it dismantles religious belief from the inside, and once you've seen the reasons those beliefs evolved with our minds it is very easy to see how religion came to be. It all becomes rather obvious.</p><p></p><p>So to answer your question: yes.</p><p></p><p>And we'll never completely rid ourselves of those beliefs, even those of us who can rationally remove god from our worldview will still find ourselves thinking thoughts we know have no basis in reality. It doesn't matter. It's the way we are.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Tomatoman, post: 56161862, member: 257311"] Yes. It's the way our brains have evolved. That is why even the most dyed in the wool atheist among us can find himself or herself thinking in a semi superstitious or religious way, for example when otherwise quite rational people start babbling vaguely about concepts of karma, or after a close relative has died we interpret little things as signs that the deceased is sending us a message saying they're ok. We can't help it, it's the way our brains have evolved. This is all explained quite simply (I thought) in a recently published book by Jesse Bering which covers everything from the development of what the author calls 'the theory of mind' in children, i.e. the ability to discern other individuals as thinking beings like ourselves (which is the reason we unconsciously attribute minds to inanimate objects and forces and situations we can't control, which ultimately explains what happens in paranoia - it is our theory of mind gone haywire - and autism - an under-developed sense of theory of mind) to superstition to conscience (which is basically a fear of someone seeing us in the act and telling other people about it) and morals to our sense of immortality and more, all explained from an evolutionary psychological viewpoint. [URL="http://www.jessebering.com/the-god-instinct-jacket.php"]Official Website of Dr. Jesse Bering - 'The God Instinct: The Psychology of Souls, Destiny, and the Meaning of Life,' now available in the UK - Dr. Jesse Bering, psychology, God, theology, atheism, The God Instinct[/URL] I have to say I've never read a book that so conclusively describes why the development of language and the fear of damaging gossip, together with the theory of mind predisposes us to religion. You'll have to read it yourself to find out why it is so conclusive, but in my opinion it dismantles religious belief from the inside, and once you've seen the reasons those beliefs evolved with our minds it is very easy to see how religion came to be. It all becomes rather obvious. So to answer your question: yes. And we'll never completely rid ourselves of those beliefs, even those of us who can rationally remove god from our worldview will still find ourselves thinking thoughts we know have no basis in reality. It doesn't matter. It's the way we are. [/QUOTE]
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