(November 19, 2012 at 9:15 am)John V Wrote:(November 18, 2012 at 6:21 pm)Brian37 Wrote: We are pattern seeking as a species. That is the natural part. However it is also natural for us to fill gaps and fool ourselves. We've dreamed up all sorts of superstions that most dont belive in now.Always amazes me that atheists can see this tendency in application to religion, but never consider whether it's applicable to evolution.
Of course it's applicable to evolution. A shared culture (including religion) helps people to form a cohesive society, which allows larger, biologically sustainable groups to form. Want a modern-day reference? Look at the Amish. They are a relatively small group that only marries and therefore mates within itself. Because of this, they have become susceptible to genetic mutations. In this group, it's having more than 10 fingers. Compared to the general public, the Amish have this trait in greater percentages.
