(July 24, 2013 at 5:05 pm)Slave Wrote:(July 24, 2013 at 4:52 pm)Gilgamesh Wrote: The root cause for atheism: Being born.
The root cause for theism: Being brainwashed sometime after being born, most effectively done early.
I am inclined to disagree. Theism is as natural a stance as atheism is. Neither state of mind requires brain washing to attain it, considering that there is a mounting case for the neuroscience of religious belief.
For authors such as those presented in the OP however, his faith seems to be propelled by more than his quest for truth. More like his fear of it.
ALL beliefs are inculcated. Atheism, by definition, is not a belief, it is the LACK of a specific belief.
I've read some (though by no means a lot) about the neuroscience of religionism, and it doesn't seem as if the researchers are making the case that people are born with theistic belief already instilled. Rather, they seem to be making the claim that if you flood a malleable brain with religious imagery and expressions, the brain developes pathways which are more amenable to such flooding in future.
Boru
‘I can’t be having with this.’ - Esmeralda Weatherwax
