Read my first post

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I read it and don't see your point anywhere in it. You only state that religion is not a choice, and that the world would be better off without religion.

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Nothing, but many scientists say that genetics plays a major role in a religious development, so thinking logically it is a biological trick to make the human species keep going at the rate it is. As Joe Rogan once said, "Humans are somewhat like highly developed bacteria." Basically religion, thinking something cute, emotion, is just another way to keep the human race moving forward.

It's interesting to say the least.

I know what you mean, but the "consequence" I spoke of was not a metaphorical one.

I mean a real world consequence, like imprisonment or death. Something tangible.
I too would be disappointed if that were the only reason that people do good in this world. I think that people have kind of a moral center, where their values exist in a sort of intermediate state it you will, not inherintly bad or inherintly good. But I think it would be much easier for someone's moral balance to be tipped in the negative direction in a world where they knew they would not be punished for their actions.

If you found a wallet on the street containing maybe 200 or 300 dollars in it, what would you do with it? I would like to think that I would take it in to the police or whoever handles lost money and have them do the right thing with it. Unfortunately, I know quite a substantial number of people at my school who would take advantage of that situation though and keep the money.

The reason I would probably take it in to the police is because I was taught by my parents that taking something that isn't already yours is bad. in a perfect world where everyones' parents did this, then the situation would work. It's a little like Communism, it works on paper, but not in real life.


EDIT*

I just realized that what I said might have already ocurred to you, in which case I apologize for not thinking through your post more clearly.

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In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is King.

Originally posted by me in this thread:

There is some evidence to support this. Natural selection would weed out the children without the gene to follow the rules set by their parents. As far as the gregarious nature of primates, that has been correlated to genes. People that separate themselves form society for large amounts of time go crazy. A higher brain function also allows the brain to ask the VERY important question: why? So, in a way, religion is hardwired into our genes.

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