[Mb-civic] Genes contribute to religious inclination

[Ian]

This is not the first time the question of a "God gene" has come up - nor, 
almost certainly, will it be the last.  Yet if proving the existence of God 
is impossible, proving the existence of a "God gene" will likely be even 
more difficult.

I also note that this study dealt exclusively with twins.  Yet few "twin" 
studies - of anything - have set precedents, much less been accepted as 
"proof" of any aspect of human behavior, be it psychology, emotions, 
whatever.

As for its application to non-twins, I need look no further than myself for 
"proof" that the theory of a "God gene" is
faulty.  I was raised in an atheist household by a Marxist father for whom 
religion was "the opiate of the people," and a mother who is a scientist, 
and thus based in rationality and empiricism.  There was no "spirtuality" at 
all in my household, and my brother both grew up to become rabid atheists 
like my parents.  As an aside, none of my grandparents, on either side, were 
believers either; nor, I suspect, were THEIR parents.

Yet I had formed a sense of "spirituality" by age 15, and went on to become 
not only a believer in God, but a Christian, and then a minister.

In this regard, I would understand, and even entertain (though I would 
disagree with), the notion that my faith is a "reaction" to my parents 
and/or my upbringing.  But it is certainly NOT genetic.

Peace.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <harry.sifton at sympatico.ca>
To: <mb-civic at islandlists.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 8:19 PM
Subject: [Mb-civic] Genes contribute to religious inclination


> Your friend thought you should see this article on New Scientist.com 
> today.
>
> Follow the link below for the full story:
>
> Genes contribute to religious inclination
> http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7147
>
> Their message:
> This is something to discuss!
>
> New Scientist.com is the world's leading online science and technology 
> news service, with a global network of award-winning journalists. Visit 
> www.newscientist.com now for constantly updated and authoritative 
> reporting that's both fast and fascinating.
> _______________________________________________
> Mb-civic mailing list
> Mb-civic at islandlists.com
> http://www.islandlists.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mb-civic
>