(August 24, 2011 at 9:49 am)Rokcet Scientist Wrote: I.o.w.: religions are genocidal per definition!
Whether or not they believe in God, evolutionary biologists may need to pay closer mind to religion. That's because religious beliefs can shape key behaviors in ways that evolutionary theory would not predict, particularly when it comes to dealing with disease. According to a new study, some of today's major religions emerged at the same time as widespread infectious diseases, and the two may have helped shape one another. The same dynamics may be reflected today in how people in Malawi deal with the AIDS epidemic.
Interesting idea.
It's obvious that a major purpose of religion is to explain death, and to comfort the bereaved by telling them such things as their loved ones are in a better place, or we'll see them again, that they are watching over us, and whatnot.
One purpose of prayer is to somehow convince God that it's not your loved ones' time - that someone should be spared death from whatever disease, injury, or other condition just because you love them - never mind all of the other people who die, including 500,000 all at once from an earthquake or tsunami which an all powerful God could certainly prevent. If it works, obviously you are praying "right" and to "the right God", and if it doesn't, you're not praying in the correct manner, or to the right God, or using the right words or ritual. If several people in a row use the same ancient language words, and wear the right colored robes, and use the right candles and incense, "of course" God likes that and will listen. If someone else sacrifices some animal or a human and something changes according to their wishes, obviously that is "the right way" according to what becomes their religion.
Of course, the whole thing is based on the logical fallacy of "post hoc ergo propter hoc" (After this therefore because of this).
Although I think that it's bad luck to be superstitious, throwing salt over your shoulder seems a lot simpler and less frightening than
or 
